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Hyper-V, WSL2, VMware and VirtualBox on one Windows PC

Verified 2 min read

Understand why WSL2 needs virtualization, how Hyper-V coexists with VMware/VirtualBox, and what to check before disabling a feature.

Tested onPro (26H2) · Build 26300.9457 · x64
E1
Build
26300.9457
Edition
Pro (26H2)
Architecture
x64
Support
Documentation (E1)
Evidence
E1Official documentation
Verified
2026-10-28
Page type
Concept

The short answer

Section titled “The short answer”

WSL2 is a lightweight VM. It needs the Windows hypervisor/virtual machine platform. Once that hypervisor is running, other VM products must either cooperate with it or use a slower compatibility path.

There is no universal “turn Hyper-V off for gaming” answer. If you need WSL2, Docker Desktop, Windows Sandbox or Hyper-V VMs, the hypervisor stays. If you need a specific VMware/VirtualBox feature, check that vendor’s current Hyper-V/WHPX guidance.

What depends on what

Section titled “What depends on what”
Feature Needs hypervisor? Notes
WSL2 Yes Virtual Machine Platform / Hyper-V
Docker Desktop (WSL2 backend) Yes Uses WSL2
Windows Sandbox Yes Hyper-V-based
Hyper-V Manager/VMs Yes Direct
VMware Workstation/Player Uses WHPX or its own mode Check vendor docs; performance differs
VirtualBox Check version/vendor Hyper-V coexistence has historically been limited
Android emulators Often Some use WHPX/Hyper-V

Check the current state

Section titled “Check the current state”
Terminal window
systeminfo | Select-String "Hyper-V"
Get-WindowsOptionalFeature -Online -FeatureName Microsoft-Hyper-V-All
Get-WindowsOptionalFeature -Online -FeatureName VirtualMachinePlatform
bcdedit /enum {current}

hypervisorlaunchtype Auto means the Windows hypervisor starts at boot. Off means it does not. Changing this requires a reboot.

Coexistence rules

Section titled “Coexistence rules”
  • Do not disable Hyper-V to “fix” a game unless you have measured the problem and do not need WSL2/Docker/Sandbox.
  • Use one VM stack at a time for heavy workloads; running Hyper-V, VMware and VirtualBox simultaneously is a support and performance gamble.
  • Enable nested virtualization only where the outer hypervisor supports it. On PVE, set CPU type host and expose VMX/SVM if you need it.
  • Check WHPX for VMware/VirtualBox; a vendor may require a specific version or setting.
  • Do not stack “gaming tweaks” that disable virtualization, VBS and Hyper-V at the same time. You will lose WSL2 and may weaken security.

If a VM refuses to start

Section titled “If a VM refuses to start”
  1. Check the vendor’s Hyper-V/WHPX requirements for your exact version.
  2. Confirm Virtual Machine Platform/Hyper-V state.
  3. Check Windows features and reboot.
  4. Try the vendor’s compatibility mode.
  5. If you must switch modes, do it deliberately and record what stops working.

Lab note

Section titled “Lab note”

Our PVE host runs Windows VMs with host CPU and nested virtualization where needed. We do not run VMware/VirtualBox inside the Windows lab; this page is E1 guidance, not a coexistence test matrix.

Sources