Hyper-V is Microsoft’s entry in to the virtualization market. Virtualization allows you to run multiple operating systems (Virtual Machines) on a single physical machine known as the host. With the resources available in a modern server you can often run dozens or more virtual machines on a single host allowing for considerable hardware consolidation.

In this guide I’ll be installing the Hyper-V role on to Windows Server 2016 Standard 180 day trial so you can easily follow along. I would recommend doing this on a physical machine rather than inside an existing VM unless you know what you’re doing.

Installing the Hyper-V Role

1. Open the Server Manager and click Add roles and features
2. Click Next until you’re on Server Roles
3. Check the Hyper-V box and click Add Features in the window that pops up
   
4. Click Next until you’re on Virtual Switches, Select a network adapter for the virtual machines to share
5. Continue clicking Next until you can’t anymore. You’ll need to click Install at this point
6. Once it’s done, Restart the computer

Hyper-V is now installed and ready to use. If you were using a static IP you may need to set it up again as it recreates the network interface you bound to the switch. To manage Hyper-V we’ll need to open Hyper-V Manager.

In Server Manager click on Tools and go down to Hyper-V Manager.

In Hyper-V Manager Click on your Server in the left pane.

Creating your first Virtual Machine

To create your first Virtual Machine, go to the right side of Hyper-V Manager and click New > Virtual Machine.

In order of pages in the New Virtual Machine Wizard:

1. On the first page here click Next
2. Name your VM
3. Select a Generation for your VM (If you’re installing a modern 64bit OS, choose Gen 2)
4. Tell it how much Ram to assign it
5. Assign it a network interface
6. You can select your OS install ISO here
7. Verify you’ve selected the right options and click Finish

You’ll see the new VM in Hyper-V Manager.

Double click on it and press the power button up the top to turn it on.

From here, It’ll be a normal OS installation process. The best way to learn more features is by playing with Hyper-V, Googling things as you find them and as always, breaking things.