You’re not alone if you’re experiencing issues running VirtualBox or Docker on Windows 10 due to Hyper-V. This conflict arises because Hyper-V takes control of system virtualization, preventing other tools from working correctly. Here’s how to resolve the issue without uninstalling Hyper-V.

Why Hyper-V Causes Issues

Hyper-V is Microsoft’s built-in virtualization tool. It uses virtualization resources when enabled, preventing other tools like VirtualBox and Docker from accessing them. Disabling Hyper-V temporarily allows these tools to run seamlessly.

Steps to Resolve the Issue

Step 1: Open Command Prompt as Administrator

• Press Win + S, type “Command Prompt,” and select Run as Administrator.

Step 2: Check Hyper-V Status

Run the following command to check the current Hyper-V configuration:

bcdedit

• Look for the hypervisorlaunchtype property in the output.
• By default, it’s set to Auto, which enables Hyper-V.

Step 3: Disable Hyper-V

To disable Hyper-V, run this command:

bcdedit /set hypervisorlaunchtype off

Step 4: Restart Your System

• Reboot your computer to apply the changes.
• VirtualBox or Docker should now work without any issues.

Re-Enabling Hyper-V

If you need to re-enable Hyper-V for tasks like running Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) or Hyper-V VMs, follow these steps:

1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator.
2. Run the following command: bcdedit /set hypervisorlaunchtype auto
3. Restart your system to reapply Hyper-V settings.

Additional Notes

• Impact on Docker: If Docker is configured to use Hyper-V, disabling Hyper-V will temporarily disable Docker as well. Ensure you toggle the settings depending on your use case.
• VirtualBox Compatibility: Ensure you’re using the latest version of VirtualBox, as older versions may have additional compatibility issues with Windows 10.

Conclusion

Switching Hyper-V on or off provides a simple solution to resolve conflicts between virtualization tools on Windows 10. With these steps, you can toggle settings as needed without uninstalling Hyper-V entirely.

Would you like more tips on troubleshooting virtualization tools? 😊

Ahmad Gohar

With over 18 years of experience in software architecture, Java technologies, and leadership, I specialize in crafting scalable, future-proof solutions for global organizations. Whether it’s transforming legacy systems, building cutting-edge cloud-native applications, or mentoring teams to excel, I’m committed to delivering value-driven results.

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