Earlier to use a second Operating System, we either used another machine or do a dual boot, but with time everything has changed. We can now explore multiple Operating Systems without installing another one on our system. No longer you need to purchase a new machine or make space for another Operating System. Virtualization software for Windows has made it possible to use dual operating systems on a single machine.
It allows users to test a software or the entire operating system without installing or removing the default OS from the PC. Virtualization allows using different Operating Systems on regular PC for testing, experiments, coding or any sort of reasons. For example, if you want to work on a Mac interface on your Windows Laptop or Windows 10 on a Mac Machine, you can do this by using free VM software for Windows 10. Here is a review and comparison of the best virtual machine for Windows 10.
9 Best Virtual Machine For Windows 10 PC/Laptop
Easily run different operating systems on your PC with the help of the top 9 Virtual Machine Software mentioned below.
1. VMware Workstation Pro
VMware Workstation Pro is one of the best virtualization software for Windows that gives you a wide range of features to explore. VMware Workstation Pro allows you to run multiple operating systems on a single machine without installing different operating systems. All these OS run as a virtual machine and lets you test and build the software with utmost compatibility with almost all the operating systems.
VMware Workstation Pro Features
- Ultimate Companion to vSphere Integration
- Create multiple screenshots or rollback to a point with snapshots
- Clones for Rapid Duplication uses linked clones to quickly initiate a VM
- Supports DirectX 10.1 and OpenGL 3.3 for High-Performance 3D Graphics
- Allows you to create enormous VMs on 16 vCPUs, 64 GB of memory and 8 TB of virtual disks
- REST API offers over 20 controls for operations like VM Power, Host and Guest VM
- Test App flexible Virtual Network Simulation for powerful virtual networking
- Supports heavy application to run on Server and Desktop VM environment
- Protect your data on VMware Workstation Pro by Restricted Access on VM
- VMware Workstation Pro supports 4K UHD / QHD High-Resolution Display
- Share Best Virtual Machines among your teammates in the organization
- Compatible with Windows, Mac, Linux, and other platforms
2. Parallels Desktop
If you want to experience a Windows Desktop environment on a Mac system or vice versa, Parallel VM is the best virtualization software for Windows and Mac systems. Even Apple provides ‘Boot Camp’ as their free tool to run a virtual machine, however, regular users, need to switch to parallel VM. Whatever is your native OS, you can run a different OS side-by-side. A parallel desktop is often required when you want to run an application that doesn’t support your OS and needs a different OS.
Parallel VM allows you to get Windows Notifications in the Mac notification center. The latest built of Parallel VM allows simulating Windows XP, 7, 8, and 10 environments on your Mac machine. All Mac and Windows applications can run side-by-side using Parallel VM without rebooting the system. File sharing between OS is also possible with the Parallel VM.
Parallels Desktop Features
- Virtual RAM & Virtual CPUs for each VM session
- Easy download and installation process of Windows 10
- Optimized and updated to work with macOS Catalina (10.15)
- Customized Touch Bar for instant access of Windows applications
- Connect & Pair USB, FireWire, Thunderbolt, and all Bluetooth devices
- 24/7 premium phone & email support for business cloud services
- One-Click tuning of Retina Display and performance as per need
- Network conditioner to simulate instant access to Windows 10
- Virtual machine encryption for added security
You may also check out the list of complete Features of Standard, Pro and Business edition.
3. Oracle VM Virtualbox
The Virtualbox Windows 10 VM is one of the best virtual machines for Windows as it gives you a wide range of host and guest combinations. The second most amazing fact about Virtualbox Windows 10 Virtual Machine is it’s FREE of cost available for all OS.
Irrespective of Windows XP onwards, Linux level 2.4 and above, Windows NT, Server 2003, OpenSolaris, Solaris, and even OpenBSD Unix, you have it all packed in one free VM software for windows 10.
Virtualbox Windows 10 VM also runs on Mac machines, and host a client Mac VM session as well. It only takes 30 MB of disk space even after being such a powerful Windows 10 VM software. The disk space may increase to certain Gigabytes depending on the virtual OS you are trying to use.
Oracle VM Virtualbox Features
- Virtualbox Windows 10 VM has a super portability feature regardless of OS
- It doesn’t require hardware virtualization as it got built-in hardware acceleration
- Virtualbox Windows 10 VM supports shared folders, seamless Windows with 3D virtualization
- It has incomparable hardware compatibility with multiple Input/Output and Processing devices
- Connect with any Remote machine display using the Virtualbox Windows 10 VM
- Capture multigeneration snapshots of your sessions for future references
Check out the list of complete Features of the Virtualbox Windows 10 VM edition.
4. Microsoft Hyper-V Server
Microsoft Hyper-V Server is a straightforward application that provides a simplified, straightforward dashboard that allows you to enable platform virtualization on a variety of Operating Systems. The program is specifically designed for IT Administrators, Software Developers, and Product Testers who wish to fortify workflows without any hassles.
Talking about its impeccable set of features, Microsoft Hyper-V Servers provides the ability to create virtualized environments keeping the efficiency of PC resources in mind. It also holds the potential to manage dynamic virtual machine storage, ability to enhance processor support, and more. We’ve briefly listed out what else Hyper-V has to offer, so let’s check it out:
Microsoft Hyper-V Features
- Set enough memory to run the guest operating system without any hassles.
- Ability to connect the network adapter to an existing virtual network.
- Provides hassle-free experience to create & manage multiple virtualized environments.
- Significantly reduce the amount of hardware needed to run multiple servers.
- Can host larger virtual machines with more virtual processors and memory.
- Holds the potential to consolidate even large workloads efficiently and effectively.
- Supports simultaneous live storage migrations in a couple of clicks.
5. Google Cloud Compute Engine
One of the best solutions for secure and customizable virtualization on multiple platforms, Compute Engine by Google is certainly an advanced virtual machine software you can try using in 2024. It’s an impeccable choice for both professional app and web developers who have constant needs for test applications in multiple customized environments.
One of the most interesting parts of using Google Cloud Compute Engine is it offers a container-optimized Operating System that ensures a secure virtual testing environment for users, which might be lacking in other VM Software mentioned here. Keep reading, to learn what else this virtualization program has to offer:
Google Cloud Compute Engine Features
- High memory support for up to 12TB is provided to users with this VM tool.
- Certainly, one of the best utilities to simplify intensive workloads.
- Allows users to run applications on the Google environment only.
- Provides the ability to deploy websites in a secure virtualized environment.
- Instantly get started with this Virtualization software, all thanks to pre-built configurations.
- Helps users to create custom virtual machine types using optimal amounts of memory.
6. QEMU
Here comes an open-source virtual emulator that supports fast virtualization. The application can easily run software for Windows, Linux, BSD, Solaris host OS, FreeBSD, DOS, and others on supported architecture. Using the software, you can enjoy entire system emulation on the aforementioned supported platforms.
Taking its zero-dollar pricing model and emulation tools it offers, the Virtualization Software offers a wide range of hardware peripherals for enjoying the ideal performance. Not only this, with QEMU, you can enjoy the support for removable media images, CD-ROMs, etc. Here’re the major highlights of using this virtualization program on Windows and other OS:
QEMU Features
- Holds the ability to simulate the entire OS using one or more processors.
- Provides dedicated hardware virtualization, which might be lacking in other competitors.
- Supports a wide range of hardware devices and can run multiple OS on any system.
- There are certainly no restrictions for the host Operating System.
- Ensures the fastest emulation speed, all thanks to its dynamic binary translation techniques used by the virtual machine tool.
7. Citrix Hypervisor
Here comes another flawless virtualization software known for improving your overall virtual desktop experience. It even streamlines operational management while providing a high-definition user experience, especially for individuals with tons of workloads. Citrix Hypervisor is used by a variety of users to manage the virtualization process across several environments.
The application is an all-in-one server virtualization platform, packed with all the functionalities, ranging from creating to managing virtual infrastructure in no time. Using Citrix Hypervisor is an effortless process and completely optimized for Windows and Linux virtual servers.
Citrix Hypervisor Features
- Exposes hardware-level features for a high-definition user experience.
- Known for providing greater security and simplified operational management.
- Easily consolidate & transform PC resources into virtual workloads.
- Holds the potential to move the entire workload to the cloud.
- Supports effortless migration process within existing networks and storage.
8. Red Hat Virtualization
Red Hat Virtualization is an impeccable VM Software that holds the potential to virtualize Linux and Windows workloads for enhanced performance. Using this virtualization program, you can easily automate, manage and modernize your virtualized workloads in a couple of clicks and without putting in many effort.
Red Hat Virtualization is a fantastic application known for virtualizing your resources, processes, and programs on a stable platform. You can undoubtedly trust this VM Software for Windows & other OS which is developed and based on over decades of open-source KVM and oVirt innovation.
Red Hat Virtualization Features
- Cloud-native virtualization is supported with this VM software.
- Create, pause, migrate, and template hundreds of VMs on multiple hardware or software.
- Highly intuitive and easy to set up, since everything is automated.
- Easily supports running and testing resource-intensive applications.
- Boasts advanced features that support creating and cloning new virtual environments or existing ones, respectively.
Download Red Hat Virtualization
9. Xen Project
Certainly, one of the most popular, free, and open-source virtual machine monitors in the category is Xen Project. The application is designed with advanced algorithms and used in both commercial and open-source environments. The best part of using this virtualization software for Windows and other OS is, it’s not restricted to infrastructure as a Service, desktop virtualization & more.
Unlike other VM Software mentioned in this list, Xen Project is especially used for hyperscale clouds and can be easily integrated with Azure, Rackspace, IBM Softlayer, Oracle, Azure, etc. Without further ado, let’s take a look at the significant features offered by this Virtual Machine software.
Xen Project Features
- Comes with tons of automated embedded security features.
- Supports cloud virtualization options, with solid security.
- The only type-1 hypervisor is also available as an open-source
- Has a customizable architecture and provides real-time support for SUSE Linux & Oracle Unbreakable Linux.
- Free VM software, equipped with a comprehensive dashboard to support advanced virtualization.
Top 3 Virtual Machine Comparison Chart
| Product | Parallels Desktop (for Mac) | VMware Workstation Pro (for Mac) | Oracle VM VirtualBox (for Mac) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best For | Casual Exploring OS | Testing & Coding | Professional Use |
| Mac version | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Windows version | No | Yes | Yes |
| Linux version | No | Yes | Yes |
| Shares Folders With Host System | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Shares Printers With Host System | Yes | Yes | No |
| Shares Clipboard With Host and Guest | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Drag-and-Drop File Transfer | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| One-Click Windows Installation | Yes | Yes | No |
| Downloads Windows Installer | Yes | Yes | No |
| Imports From Windows PC | Yes | Yes | No |
| Downloads Linux Systems | Yes | No | No |
| Supports macOS Guests | Yes | Yes | No |
| Installs macOS From Recovery | Yes | Yes | No |
Summing Up:
In the comparison of the best virtual machine for Windows 10, VMware Workstation Pro scored as the top Windows 10 VM. Though Virtualbox Windows 10 is a free Virtual Machine for Windows 10 simulation for experiments. However, if you are a regular user, you should opt for the best virtual machine for Windows 10 with complete features.
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Which Virtualization Software is the Best?
VMware Workstation Pro and Parallels Desktop are some of the best virtualization tools you can try using for your Windows and other Operating Systems.
What is better than VirtualBox?
Try getting your hands on VMWare’s free version, if you are looking for a VirtualBox alternative for Windows and other OS. The application certainly provides a secure and isolated environment for all your virtualization needs and preferences.
Which is the best virtualization software for Work/Life balance?
Take the help of Oracle VirtualBox when it comes to maintaining a perfect work/life balance. It provides a wide range of host and guest combinations and doesn’t require hardware virtualization as it comes with built-in hardware acceleration.
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