[Solved] Incompatibility between VMware Workstation and Hyper-V

Why is VMware not Compatible with Hyper-V

The message "VMware Workstation and Hyper-V are not compatible" usually signifies the simultaneous activation of VMware Workstation (or VMware Player) and Microsoft Hyper-V on your Windows host system. The conflict arises from both virtualization solutions utilizing the hardware virtualization features provided by the CPU, and they are not intended to operate concurrently.

VMware Workstation and VMware Player are type 2 hypervisors, while Hyper-V is a type 1 hypervisor. Type 2 hypervisors install on the operating system running on hardware, while type 1 hypervisors install directly on hardware. All hypervisors need processor virtualization extensions, like Intel VT-x or AMD-V. Hyper-V seizes control of these extensions when Windows starts, making them unavailable for VMware Workstation during Windows loading. Only one software component can use Intel VT-x or AMD-V at a time.

Let's delve into the detailed steps for resolving the compatibility issue between Hyper-V and VMware Workstation.

How to Fix VMware and Hyper-V Not Compatible

• Ensure you have about 60GB and above of hard disk storage.
• Your computer should have a minimum RAM of 4GB.
• Get to know how to locate the files & folders and their respective functions.
• Ensure that your processor is compatible with a 64-bit processor and supports AMD, Intel, and Qualcomm processors.

Method 1. Disable Hyper-V in the GUI

1. Press Windows key + X and select "Apps and Features."

2. Click on "Programs and Features" on the right side.

3. In the left panel, select "Turn Windows features on or off.

4. Locate "Hyper-V" in the list, uncheck it, and click "OK."

5. Restart your computer.

* In Windows Server 2016, click Manage > Remove Roles and Features to removing the Hyper-V role. You can also use PowerShell to disable Hyper-V features.

Method 2. Turn off virtualization Based Security in Windows

1. Press Windows key + R to open the Run dialog. Then type gpedit.msc and press Enter.

2. In the Local Group Policy Editor, go to Computer Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> System.

3. Click Device Guard, and double-click on "Turn On Virtualization-Based Security" in the right pane.

4. Select the "Disabled" option and click "Apply" and then "OK."

5. Restart your computer.

Method 3. Update VMware Workstation

If your Windows 10 version is 2004 (20H1) build 19041 or newer, you can upgrade VMware Workstation to version 15.5.6 or later. This update lets you run VMware virtual machines on Windows without having to turn off Hyper-V and Virtualization Based Security (VBS) features.

Microsoft and VMware collaborated to address compatibility issues. With the new setup, VMware Workstation utilizes Microsoft Windows Hypervisor Platform (WHP) APIs, enabling it to manage CPU resources, registry values, and run VMs even when Hyper-V is active.

Previous VMware versions faced problems when Hyper-V was enabled, as an additional layer (Hyper-V) gained direct access to CPU features, leaving VMware without access. In version 15.5.6, VMware made changes allowing it to operate on Windows hosts with Hyper-V. The Virtual Machine Monitor (VMM) now operates at the user level (User Level Monitor or Host VBS mode), resolving compatibility issues.

If you uninstall Hyper-V features, VMware Workstation detects it and switches the VMM to direct CPU access. To run VMware VMs on a Windows host with Hyper-V, install the Windows Hypervisor Platform (WHP) feature from the Control Panel.

In summary, by updating Windows 10 and VMware Workstation to versions supporting simultaneous use of Hyper-V and VMware VMs, you can seamlessly run both virtualization solutions on your computer.

Not Supported on Certain Windows Server Versions:

Windows Hypervisor Platform isn't supported on Windows Server 2016 and other server versions. So, VMware Workstation can't run VMs in Host VBS mode on machines with these Windows Server versions.

Limitations of the Host VBS mode:

📌 No Nested Virtualization:

• You can't run VMs inside VMware Workstation VMs in this mode.

📌 Potential Slower Performance for VMware VMs:

• VMware VMs might run slower in Host VBS mode.

📌 Unsupported X86 Performance Monitoring Counters (PMC):

• X86 Performance Monitoring Counters (PMC) aren't supported.

📌 No User-Mode Protection Keys (PKU) Capability:

• The User-mode Protection Keys (PKU) capability is not available.

📌 Restricted Transactional Memory (RTM) and Hardware Lock Elision (HLE) Capabilities Not Available:

• Features like Restricted Transactional Memory (RTM) and Hardware Lock Elision (HLE) aren't available in Host VBS mode.

Safeguard Hyper-V VM Data via AOMEI Cyber Backup

Protecting your Hyper-V virtual machines (VMs) is crucial for ensuring the security and integrity of your data. AOMEI Cyber Backup stands out as an excellent solution for Hyper-V backup with its user-friendly interface and robust features.

Advantages of AOMEI Cyber Backup for Hyper-V VMs:

💡 Comprehensive Backup Options: AOMEI Cyber Backup provides versatile backup options, including full, incremental, and differential backups. This flexibility allows users to choose the most suitable backup strategy based on their specific needs, whether they require a complete VM snapshot or only want to capture changes since the last backup.
✨ Automated and Scheduled Backups: The software supports automatic and scheduled backups, enabling users to set up regular backup intervals. This feature ensures continuous data protection without the need for manual intervention, reducing the risk of data loss and streamlining the backup process.
✍ Efficient Storage Management: AOMEI Cyber Backup incorporates compression and encryption options, optimizing storage usage while ensuring the security of backed-up VM data. The ability to compress backups helps conserve storage space, while encryption adds an extra layer of protection to sensitive information.
⏰ User-Friendly Interface: AOMEI Cyber Backup features an intuitive and user-friendly interface, making it accessible to users of varying technical expertise. The straightforward design simplifies the backup and recovery processes, allowing users to navigate and utilize the software effectively.

Simple Backup Steps using AOMEI Cyber Backup for Hyper-V VMs:

1. Begin by installing AOMEI Cyber Backup on the host machine where Hyper-V is running. Once installed, launch the software to access its interface.

2. Within the AOMEI Cyber Backup interface, choose the Backup > Create New Task > Hyper-V Backup option. This specific setting is tailored to address the unique requirements of backing up virtual machines in a Hyper-V environment.

3. Select the Hyper-V VMs you wish to back up from the available list.

4. Specify the destination for storing the backup files.

5. Schedule the backup task to run it automatically.

Once the backup settings are configured, initiate the backup process. AOMEI Cyber Backup will systematically back up the selected Hyper-V VMs according to the chosen parameters.

📢 While the Free Edition covers most of the VM backup needs, you can also upgrade to enjoy:
✦ Backup cleanup: Configure retention policy to auto delete the old backup files and save storage space.
✦ Restore to new location: Easily make a clone of a virtual machine in the same or another host, without reinstalling or configuring a new VM.
✦ Backup for more devices: Create comprehensive backup for your Microsoft SQL Database or Physical PC & Servers.

AOMEI Cyber Backup's comprehensive features and user-friendly design make it a valuable asset for protecting Hyper-V VMs. With its flexible backup options and straightforward interface, users can easily implement effective data protection strategies, ensuring the resilience and availability of their virtualized environments.

Conclusion

The issue of "VMware workstation and Hyper v are not compatible" underscores the challenges users face when attempting to integrate these virtualization solutions seamlessly. The inherent conflicts arise from the conflicting nature of their virtualization technologies, leading to a situation where both cannot coexist on the same system. Users navigating this compatibility issue must carefully choose between VMware Workstation and Hyper-V based on their specific requirements and priorities.

This article presents solutions when your VMware and Hyper v are not compatible. While each platform offers unique benefits, the inability to run them all at the same time necessitates thoughtful consideration and weighing of the pros and cons.