Hyper-V for virtual machine at home

[nyctomd]

Ok, I am trying to set up a home virtualization just so I can practice and work on other operating systems at home. I have a Windows 8.1 Pro Desktop & Hyper-V is enabled in the bios as well in the Windows Features.

My problem now is knowing what the next step is. In my search for answers I am seeing hyper-v is only good if I was connected to a server. I am not connected to any server. I want to use this at home.

Are there any articles I need to read on? Am I missing any steps? I have been going at it for about a week & a half now. I need some help. Should I abandon hyper-v all together? If so is there another free virtualization out there for me to use to toggle back and forth between operating systems.

I am sure you don't want to type up a step by step, but do you know of any articles that have a step by step.

 

[ArisVer]

To enable Hyper-V in Windows 8.1 follow these steps. I don't think you need to be connected to a server (where did you read that?).
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-8/hyper-v-run-virtual-machines

There are also Oracles VirtualBox (https://www.virtualbox.org/) and VMware (http://www.vmware.com/) virtual machines.

 

[Dahak]

Yes you do not need server, although probably 90% of the docs out there refer to hyper-v server or hyper-v feature of Server 2012. but it can all be applied to the Hyper-V inside Win8/8.1 some times you may see this refered to as Client Hyper-V

I use it from time to time on my Win8.1 machine so here is a quick setup,

But basically once you have installed the Hyper-V feature load up the Hyper-V Manager

This is your main interface to it.
On the left Select your computer name under the Hyper-V Manager
On the Right side go to Virtual Switch Manager and create a new virtual switch, I just make an External one and name it External if you want the virtual machine to have internet access.
Internal is between virtual machines only.

Then you can create a new virtual machine, just follow the steps, keep it at Generation 1.
Once created double click it in the middle window and attach your media and do the install. Once the os install is done, Install the Integration Services from the Action menu as it will provide better performance drivers and allow to easily move the mouse between the VM and main machine

EDIT Some Links
Setting Up Hyper-V in Win8
Step-By-Step: Creating and Running A Windows 10 VM on Windows 8.1
Although this is saying for Windows 10, the steps are basically the same for any machine

YouTube Vid of VM Setup the video is not the best but will show you through the steps of creating a vm