This PC Can’t Run Windows 11 Error in Hyper-V: Causes and Complete Fix Guide

Microsoft announced Windows 11 with more stringent hardware demands than the software’s current version, Windows 10.

Though many users have had success upgrading on actual hardware, as for running Windows 11 on a VM—particularly in Hyper-V—things can be tricky. However, one of the most annoying things users encounter is the error message:

“This PC can’t run Windows 11.”

In this post, we will figure out the root causes of this error when attempting to install Windows 11 on a Hyper-V machine, the reason why it occurs, and a step-by-step guide on how to solve this error and get Windows 11 to run on a virtual machine.

What is Hyper-V?

Hyper-V is a Microsoft product that you would use if you wanted to create and manage a bunch of digital machines on your Windows laptop or desktop.

It’s available on Windows 10 Pro, Enterprise, and Education editions and Windows 11 Pro.

With Hyper-V, you can test operating systems, run legacy applications, and set up isolated environments for development or security testing.

Why does “This PC Can’t Run Windows 11” appear in Hyper-V?

When you’re trying to install Windows 11 in Hyper-V and you receive that error, it’s most likely one or more of the requirements are missing. Here are the top reasons:

• Missing TPM 2.0 in the virtual machine.
• Secure Boot is not enabled in the VM settings.
• Concerning the first and very first issue, you created a Generation 1 VM, and it should be Generation 2.
• Insufficient RAM or Disk Space.
• You are using a custom or an old ISO, which does not include checks for Windows 11.

Let’s go through how to fix each of these.

How to Fix This PC Can’t Run Windows 11 Error in Hyper-V

Here are some crucial fixes that you must perform to resolve this error message from your Windows PC:

Fix 1: Check and Enable Virtualization in BIOS

You’re running the hardware’s virtualization technology, which is supported and enabled. Hyper-V won’t be able to function without it.

Here’s how to confirm and enable it:

1. To see your device’s specs, go to Start > Settings > System > About.

2. Under Processor, find the model of your CPU and then go online (either the manufacturer’s site or another site) to see if virtualization is supported.

3. If your computer is equipped with virtualization, restart it and enter the BIOS using the assigned BIOS key.

Brand	Assigned BIOS Key
Acer	F2 or Delete
Asus	F2 or F9 or Delete
Dell	F2 or Delete
HP	Esc, F10, F1
Lenovo	F1, F2
Other	Esc or F1-F12

4. Once you’re in the BIOS, look for the Advanced or CPU Configuration tab.
5. You should see a setting like Intel Virtualization Technology (VT-x) or AMD-V and change it to Enabled.

6. Click on save and restart the computer.

Fix 2: Use Command Prompt to Scan and Repair System Issues

When you think there might be a problem at a deeper level of the system, the Command Prompt is the place to go. Here, we’ll use it to:

1. Check for hard disk errors.
2. Fix corrupted files
3. Make sure that Hypervisor is set to launch on boot.

Follow these steps:

1. Look for Command Prompt, then right-click it and choose Run as administrator.
2. Type and hit enter in the below command: chkdsk C: /f /r /x

This command will locate disk errors and fix them at the next boot.

3. After the scan is finished and your computer reboots, open Command Prompt once again.
4. Then you can run the two following DISM commands to restore your system image:

DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Scanhealth
DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth

5. Finally, type: bcdedit /set hypervisorlaunchtype auto
6. Press Enter. This will configure Hyper-V to start during system boot.

Fix 3: Restart Hyper-V Management Services

Specialized background services are required by Windows to maintain the runtime of its virtualization facilities, such as those of Hyper-V.

If they hang or fail to start up, you can end up with the Hypervisor Error. Here’s how to restart them:

1. Type Windows + R in order to launch Run.
2. Type services.msc and press Enter.
3. Scroll down to Hyper-V Virtual Machine Management and select it.

4. Right-click the service. If it’s running, select Stop, then right-click the service and select Start.
5. This quick restart usually solves minor glitches in the Hyper-V systems.

Fix 4: Keep Your Drivers and Windows OS Updated

Using outdated drivers, or for that matter, ignoring operating system updates, can result in compatibility problems, which can cause virtualization errors.

However, these updates are for bug fixes and for support of new features and enhancements to prevent Hyper-V instability.

To update your device drivers:

1. Open Device Manager (you can simply search for it on the Start menu).
2. Go to the device category that you want to update (for example, processor or system devices).
3. Right-click the device and select Update Driver.

4. Choose Search automatically for drivers, and Windows will find them for you.

To update Windows:

1. Go to Settings > Windows Update.
2. Click Check for updates.

1. If updates are available, follow the on-screen information.
2. Then, make sure to restart your computer after installing to get the rest of those changes applied.

Fix 5: Verify Hyper-V Compatibility on Your PC

If you’re still not certain whether or not your system can use Hyper-V, there’s a quick way to check for a feature in Windows that can give you all the answers you need.

Use System Info Tool:

1. On your keyboard, press the Windows Key + R to open Run, and then type msinfo32 and hit Enter.
2. Go to the bottom of the System Information window.
3. Look for these four entries:
   • VM Monitor Mode Extensions
   • Virtualization Enabled in Firmware
   • Second Level Address Translation (SLAT)
   • Data Execution Prevention (DEP)

All should say Yes for Hyper-V to function. If none say No, your system may not support Hyper-V out of the box, or you may have to turn the feature on in the BIOS.

Read: Step-By-Step: Enabling Hyper-V for Use on Windows 11

Conclusion

The hypervisor error in Windows 11 is typically associated with not having hardware virtualization support, a misconfiguration in the BIOS, or service problems at the system level.

By going through these five great methods—turning on virtualization, fixing the system itself, restarting essential programs, upgrading drivers and OS, and ensuring compatibility in the first place—you increase your odds of fixing the error without having to reset or reinstall your PC.

If you go through all the steps and you’re still having trouble, you might want to see if your version of Windows supports Hyper-V because Home editions don’t support Hyper-V out of the box.