VirtualBox vs VMware vs Hyper-V: A Comprehensive Comparison and Troubleshooting Guide

When it comes to virtualization, there are several options available in the market, each with its unique features, advantages, and limitations. In this article, we will delve into a detailed comparison of VirtualBox, VMware, and Hyper-V, highlighting their differences and discussing common issues that may arise when running multiple virtualization applications on the same computer.

All hypervisors require processor virtualization extensions, which are instruction sets for hardware virtualization - Intel VT-x or AMD-V. A type 1 hypervisor is installed directly on top of the hardware, while a type 2 hypervisor is installed on an operating system that runs on the hardware. VMware Workstation, VMware Player, and VirtualBox are type 2 hypervisors, whereas Hyper-V is a type 1 hypervisor.

What causes the problem with Hyper-V? Let's take a closer look. You can install VMware Workstation and VirtualBox, and run VMware VMs and VirtualBox VMs on the same computer, but not simultaneously. The errors occur even if Hyper-V VMs are not running at that time.

Background and Working Principle

After you install VMware Workstation, VMware Player, or Oracle VirtualBox on a Windows machine, you might get errors when starting a VM in these virtualization applications. This blog post explains what causes these errors, how to fix them, and how to run other virtualization applications on a computer with Hyper-V.

Errors that happen when you run VMs on non-Hyper-V virtualization applications can cause significant problems. When you install a virtualization application on a Windows machine where Hyper-V or related services are installed, errors can often occur.

In this article, we will explore the common issues that may arise when running multiple virtualization applications on the same computer and provide solutions to resolve these errors. We will also discuss the differences between VirtualBox, VMware, and Hyper-V, helping you make an informed decision about which hypervisor is best suited for your needs.

Virtualbox vs vmware vs hyper v