Does QEMU help me create a virtual Linux system on my windows 10 laptop ? (thelemmy.club)

submitted 13 hours ago by LoveEspresso@cafe.coffee-break.cc to c/linux4noobs@programming.dev

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I wish to work on Linux, but the only machine l have at my disposal is my brother's windows laptop when it's free. Can I create a virtual Linux system using QEMU ?

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[-] brickfrog@lemmy.dbzer0.com 2 points 10 hours ago* (last edited 10 hours ago)

You typically need to enable the Windows Feature called "Hyper-V" if it isn't enabled already. There's a bunch of documentation online if you search around, offhand these two should get you going

https://ubuntu.com/server/docs/how-to/virtualisation/ubuntu-on-hyper-v/

https://www.thewindowsclub.com/how-to-install-linux-ubuntu-on-hyper-v-in-windows

https://github.com/RidwanurRahim/Hyper-V-Ubuntu-Server (way more advanced than you need but steps 1-5 could be useful if want more how-tos)

Hints:

You don't have to use Ubuntu if you don't want to, just do a VM install with any .iso image file (though I'd say Ubuntu is fine if you just want to tinker and get to learn basics, and Ubuntu itself is well documented)
For the networking you typically don't need to do anything too advanced, a standard default switch to create a virtual NAT is fine for the most part. You only need to tinker with bridged networking if you intend to run a VM that pulls down its own IP address and has its own incoming internet traffic separate from your host Windows system.

this post was submitted on 29 May 2026

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