What Are Virtual Machines In Simple Terms

By / VirtualBox, VMware Workstation Player, VMware Workstation Pro, Windows 10, Windows 11 / 8 minutes of reading

What are virtual machines? In this guide I’ll show you what they are, how they work and the different ways in which you can use them on your home computer.

Table Of Contents
  1. What Is a Virtual Machine? (The Simple Answer)
  2. How Does a Virtual Machine Work?
  3. Virtual Machine vs Physical Computer — What’s the Difference?
  4. What Are the Benefits of a Virtual Machine?
  5. What Is a Virtual Machine Used For? (Real-World Examples)
  6. Can Anyone Set Up a Virtual Machine at Home?
  7. Frequently Asked Questions About Virtual Machines
  8. Summary

What Is a Virtual Machine? (The Simple Answer)

A virtual machine — often shortened to VM — is a software-based computer that runs inside your real computer. It looks and behaves like a normal PC, but it has no physical hardware of its own. Everything — the processor, memory, hard drive, even the network connection — is simulated in software.

Think of it like this: your actual PC is a house. A virtual machine is a self-contained flat inside that house. It has its own front door, its own rooms, and you can decorate it however you like — but it’s still using the walls, the plumbing, and the electricity of the main building.
That, in a nutshell, is what a VM is.

How Does a Virtual Machine Work?

Your physical computer (the real one) is made up of two things:

  1. Hardware — the motherboard, CPU, RAM, storage, and so on.
  2. Operating system (OS) — the software that controls it all, such as Windows 10, Windows 11, Linux, or macOS.

A virtual machine works by adding a third layer: a piece of software called a hypervisor.

The hypervisor sits on top of your operating system and borrows a portion of your hardware resources — some of your CPU power, some RAM, some storage — and uses them to create a brand new, separate computer.

That virtual computer is completely isolated from your real one, and you can install any operating system you like onto it.
The two most popular free virtual machine programs for home use are:

  • VirtualBox — made by Oracle, completely free, great for beginners.
  • VMware Workstation Pro — made by Broadcom, also free for personal use, slightly more polished.

Both are downloaded and installed just like any other program. Once installed, you can create as many virtual machines as your hardware can handle.

Virtual Machine vs Physical Computer — What’s the Difference?

This is the question most beginners ask first, and it’s a good one.
In everyday use, a virtual machine feels almost identical to a physical PC. You can:

  • Browse the internet
  • Install and run programs
  • Connect USB drives and disc images
  • Switch to full-screen mode so it fills your entire monitor

In full-screen mode, you’d struggle to tell the difference. (That’s why it’s worth changing the desktop wallpaper on your VM — so you always know which one you’re looking at.)
The main practical differences are:

FeaturePhysical PCVirtual Machine
Has its own hardwareYesNo – shares the real PCs hardware
Can run its own OSYesYes
Isolated from main PCN/AYes – fully sandboxed
East to delete and start freshNoYes
PerformanceFull SpeedReduced
CostRequires new hardwareFree

What Are the Benefits of a Virtual Machine?

Virtual machines offer several real advantages for home users:

  1. Safe sandboxed environment – Whatever happens inside the VM stays inside it. Malware, dodgy downloads, experiments gone wrong — none of it can escape to your real PC. The VM acts as a protective buffer between risky activity and your important files.
  2. Try a new operating system without commitment – Want to see what Windows 11 looks like before upgrading? Curious about Linux? Install it as a VM first. If you don’t like it, just delete the virtual machine.
  3. Run legacy software on modern Windows – Old programs that no longer work on Windows 10 or Windows 11 can often be run inside a virtual machine running the OS they were designed for — Windows XP or Windows 7, for example.
  4. Test software you don’t fully trust – Download and run an unfamiliar program in a VM before installing it on your real computer. If it turns out to be malware or junk, no harm done — just delete the VM.
  5. Visit untrusted websites safely – If you need to poke around a website you’re not sure about, fire up the VM first. Any infection stays contained, and you can wipe it afterwards with a clean conscience.

What Is a Virtual Machine Used For? (Real-World Examples)

Testing a New Version of Windows

Say you’re running Windows 10 and you’re wondering whether Windows 11 is worth the upgrade. You don’t want to just go ahead and do it — what if your favourite programs don’t work, or you simply don’t like it?

Say you’re running Windows 10 and you’re wondering whether Windows 11 is worth the upgrade. You don’t want to just go ahead and do it — what if your favourite programs don’t work, or you simply don’t like it?

Install Windows 11 as a virtual machine. Live with it for a week. Decide for yourself. No risk to your existing setup.

A Windows 11 virtual machine running inside a VMware windows in Windows 10.
Windows 11 runs great as a virtual machine on Windows 10.

Running Old Software That Won’t Work on Modern Windows

One of the most useful things a VM can do. Many people have old games, accounting packages, or niche programs from the Windows XP or Windows 7 era that simply won’t install on modern systems.

Install the old OS as a VM, and your old software runs perfectly inside it — right alongside your modern Windows desktop. Windows XP Virtual Machine.

Windows XP virtual machine running legacy software.
When you need to run older operating systems like Windows XP, set them up as virtual machines.

Downloading and Testing Unfamiliar Programs

Found a free utility online but not sure if it’s safe? Or even if it’ll do what it says it’ll do? There’s a lot of software and applications out there that are either dangerous to install on your PC or simply won’t do what you wanted them to do.

Installing and then uninstalling a steady stream of programs will eventually destabilize your system. The answer is to install it on a VM. If it behaves badly — or turns out to contain malware — your real computer is completely unaffected. Just delete the VM.

Exploring a New OS Without Losing Anything

Linux is a popular choice here. It’s free, fast, and many people are curious about it. But wiping Windows to try it out is a big step.

Running Linux as a virtual machine gives you the full experience with zero risk to your main system. You can continue to use Windows as you normally would while you try out Linux.

Linux Mint virtual machine on Windows 11 host.
Run different operating systems with zero risk.

Safer Web Browsing

For particularly risky or unknown websites, always open them inside a VM. Any drive-by downloads, tracking scripts, or infections remain isolated from your actual files and data.

This is one of the strongest arguments I know for home users to be using virtual machines. You can think of a VM as being a kind of sacrificial PC. It really doesn’t matter if it becomes infected, you can quickly replace the virtual computer.

Can Anyone Set Up a Virtual Machine at Home?

Yes — absolutely. Setting up a VM is no harder than installing any other program.
The hypervisor software (VirtualBox or VMware Workstation Pro) does all the complex work for you. You install the program, run through a short setup wizard, and then install your chosen operating system — just as you would on a real PC.

Both programs are free to use on home computers, which is one of the best things about them.
If you’ve never tried it before, VirtualBox is probably the friendliest starting point. VMware Workstation Pro offers a bit more polish and performance, and is also free for personal use.

System Requirements: What Does Your PC Need?

Virtual machines do use your computer’s resources, so it’s worth knowing the basics before you start:

  • RAM: The more the better. 8 GB is a workable minimum; 16 GB makes things much smoother.
  • Storage: Each VM needs its own virtual hard drive — plan for 20–50 GB per machine.
  • CPU: Most modern processors support virtualisation. It may need to be enabled in your BIOS/UEFI settings, but this is usually straightforward.

The good news: you don’t need a powerful or expensive PC. Many people run VMs perfectly well on mid-range home computers.

Frequently Asked Questions About Virtual Machines

Summary

I think everyone should at least have a go with virtual machines. They give you the a worry free environment in which to do or try out just about anything you want. With a VM, if you break it, just delete it and create another one,

Next Steps: Set Up Your First Virtual Machine

Windows Sandbox
The quickest option if you have Windows 10/11 Pro. Built right in, no extra software needed. If you have a Pro version of Windows this is where I’d recommend you should start.

How To Install Windows 11 As A Virtual Machine In Workstation Pro.
A full-featured VM with step-by-step instructions. Works on any version of either Windows 10 or Windows 11.

How To Install Windows 10 Virtual Machine In VirtualBox.
Prefer Windows 10? Start here.

Setup Windows 7 As Virtual Machine On VMware Workstation Pro.
Run your old legacy programs on a modern PC.

Setup a Home Network in Windows

Setting up a home network in Windows 10 or Windows 11 lets you share files and folders between all your desktop PCs and laptops

Access documents, pictures and any other files that are stored on a different PC to the one you’re using right now.

Click Here
How to setup a home network in Windows 10 and Windows 11. 5 Simple steps.

Find this and other related guides in – Computer Tech Guides – Windows 11 – Windows 10

At Home Computer Step By Step Guides

At home computer website logo. Easy to follow tutorials for users of Windows 10 and Windows 11 computers.

Why I Use Virtual Machines and You Should Too

When it came to light that CPU-Z and HWMonitor had malware hidden inside their setup files, it reminded me exactly why I use a virtual machine and why you probably should too.

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