Deploy Microsoft’s free Hyper‑V Server at home and build a powerful, enterprise‑grade virtualisation lab without needing a Windows Server license.
Scenario
You want to build a home lab to run virtual machines maybe for certifications, testing, or learning enterprise infrastructure. But Windows Server licensing can get expensive fast, and running full Windows Server just to host VMs feels like overkill.
This is exactly what Microsoft Hyper‑V Server was designed for. It’s a free, stripped‑down, command‑line‑only version of Windows Server that includes the full Hyper‑V hypervisor with no licensing required.
In this lab, you’ll install Hyper‑V Server, configure it, and manage it remotely from Windows 10/11.
Lab Objectives
- Download and install Microsoft Hyper‑V Server
- Complete the initial configuration using
sconfig - Join the server to your network
- Enable remote management
- Connect and manage Hyper‑V from Windows 10/11
- Create and run virtual machines
Prerequisites
- A spare PC or server‑class hardware
- USB stick for installation
- Windows 10 or Windows 11 for remote management
- Basic networking knowledge
Check Your Hardware
You’ll need:
CPU: i5 or i7 with SLAT support (check using Sysinternals' coreinfo)
- Memory: Minimum 16GB recommended
- Disk: SSD preferred, ~500GB+
- 64-bit: Required (most modern machines are fine)
- Virtualization enabled in BIOS
Old PCs or laptops make decent candidates but backup everything, this install wipes the disk.
Download Hyper-V Server Core
- Head to the Microsoft Evaluation Center.
- Search for Hyper-V Server 2019.
- Fill in basic details and download the ISO (~3GB).
Then, use:
- Rufus (Windows) or Etcher (macOS/Linux).
- Create a bootable USB with the ISO.
- Plug it into your server and boot from it.
Install and Configure Hyper-V
After setup:
- Set the admin password
- Boot into the sconfig menu
Use sconfig to:
- Set hostname (e.g.
HYPERV01) - Add local administrator
- Enable automatic updates
- Turn on Remote Desktop
- Assign a static IP address
Install Windows Admin Center (WAC)
From PowerShell:
$client = New-Object System.Net.WebClient
$client.DownloadFile("https://aka.ms/wacdownload", "wac.msi")
Start-Process "wac.msi"
- Choose default options.
- Installs in gateway mode.
- Now WAC will be accessible from any machine on your network via browser.
Connect from Your Browser
From any Windows machine:
- Type the server’s IP address in your browser.
- Log in with the admin credentials you set up.
- Explore Windows Admin Center dashboard.
Go to Virtual Machines section:
- Create new VMs (set RAM, CPU, network, storage).
- Configure virtual switches (internal, private, external).
- Upload ISOs via File Sharing in WAC.
- Use browser-based PowerShell for advanced tasks.
Conclusion
You’ve now deployed a fully functional Hyper‑V Server at home completely free and ready to run virtual machines. This setup gives you a powerful, enterprise‑grade virtualisation platform without the overhead or licensing requirements of Windows Server.
It’s one of the best ways to build a capable home lab on a budget.
