Microsofts virtualization platform Hyper-V is now included in Windows 8. The requirements are as follows:

  • Windows 8 64 bit version
  • At least 4 GB of ram
  • An x64-based processor
  • Second Level Address Translation (SLAT)
  • Hardware-assisted virtualization: Intel Virtualization Technology (Intel VT) or AMD Virtualization (AMD-V) technology.
  • Hardware-enforced Data Execution Prevention (DEP): Intel XD bit (execute disable bit) or AMD NX bit (no execute bit) enanled in BIOS.

Hyper-V is not enabled in Windows 8 by default. Here is how to enable it:

Log on to Windows 8 and on the Metro start page, type: programs (1). Left-click on Programs and features (2)

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In the Programs and features window, click on Turn Windows feature on or off

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In the Windows features window, select the check box next to Hyper-V and then click OK

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When the computer is done applying changes to features, click Restart Now 

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After the computer has restarted, log on to Windows 8 and on the Metro start page, scoll to the by using either the touch screen, mouse or Page Down key. You now have two new tiles named Hyper-V Virtual Machine Connection and Hyper-V Manager

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Click on the Hyper-V Manager tile to start the Hyper-V Manager

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Windows 8 Hyper-V supports:

  • External virtual switch using a WiFi adapter
  • Putting your physical machine to sleep (Installing the Hyper-V feature do not disable to ability to sleep or hibernate anymore)
  • Dynamic Memory
  • And more