Virtual machines are software programs that mimic the functions of a computer system on another. This is often peculiar to creating a desktop environment on mobile devices, and vice versa, or hosting certain programs of one computer on another, particularly one that is traditionally not built to support such programs.
A virtual environment can only be created using special computer programs known as virtual machines. And this article brings you a compilation of the best virtual machines for your PC.
Top 5 virtual machines for Windows
1. VMware Workstation Player
VMware is arguably the most used virtual machine out there. It offers free support for Windows (64-bit) and Linux.
This software creates an enabling virtual environment; affording users the opportunity to run two or more operating systems (and apps) concurrently on their computer systems, using a powerhouse machine.
2. VM VirtualBox
This virtual machine operates smoothly on several host operating systems, including Windows, macOS, Solaris, OpenSolaris and Linux.
VirtualBox, developed by Oracle, was designed to run on x86 and AMD64/Intel64 computers. There is also extended support for lower-grade OS versions of Windows, BSD, macOS, Linux, Solaris, Linux.
3. Windows Virtual PC
Next on our list of top virtual machines for Windows is Windows’ proprietary virtual engine.
This machine offers full support for all Windows devices, from Windows 7 and above. OS versions below Windows 7, including Windows P Professional SP3, and MS-DOS, are only partially supported – with limited support and relatively slow running speed.
You can get the virtual machine from www.microsoft.com or from your computer’s OEM website.
4. Hyper-V
Hyper-V, formerly Windows Server Virtualization, hosts a unique feature known as, Windows Server Core, which facilitates the creation of virtual workstation on Windows computers.
The software works best on an x86-64 Windows system, offering a wide range of features to users.
5. Kernel-based virtual machine
This virtual machine is an open-source software, which rounds up our list of top 5 virtual machines for Windows.
Hardware Virtualization Extensions is needed on your system’s processor for Kernel-based virtual machine to function perfectly. And the software works best on computers running on x86 processors.
There is also extended support for several guest operating systems, including Linux, Solaris, and BSD among others.
