How to Add Hyper-V Manager to Control Panel in Windows 10

Hyper-V is a built-in administrative tool in Windows 10 (Pro, Enterprise, and Education editions) designed to help users create and manage virtual machines and configure virtualization settings. Adding Hyper-V Manager to the Control Panel makes accessing the familiar legacy interface easier and streamlines system administration workflows for users accustomed to Control Panel tools. It helps maintain a consistent environment for IT management.

This guide walks you through how to add Hyper-V Manager in the Control Panel on Windows 10 for quicker and more convenient access.

Steps to add Hyper-V Manager in Control Panel

Before proceeding with the steps to add Hyper-V Manager to the Windows 10 Control Panel, there are a few prerequisites to keep in mind:

• Hyper-V must already be installed and enabled on your system. Here’s how to enable Hyper-V in the Control Panel:
  1. Go to the Control Panel via the Windows search bar.
  2. Select Programs > Programs & Features > Turn Windows features on or off.
  3. Scroll down to find Hyper-V and tick the checkbox.
  4. Click OK and restart your computer.
• You must be signed in with administrator privileges.
• You must be using Windows 10 Pro, Enterprise, or Education editions.

Once these prerequisites are met, you can now proceed with the steps to add Hyper-V Manager to the Control Panel in Windows 10:

Open Registry Editor

⚠️ WARNING: Editing the registry can cause serious system issues if done incorrectly. Always back up the registry or create a system restore point before making any changes.

1. Press Win + R to open the Run Dialog box.
2. Type regedit, then click Enter to open the Registry Editor (click Yes if prompted by User Account Control).

Navigate to the key

3. In Registry Editor, navigate to the Control Panel NameSpace key:
   • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\ControlPanel\NameSpace

Create a new registry key

4. Right-click on NameSpace, then select New > Key.
5. Name the key: {e23fd76f-5b20-40e5-a9b2-1be8f0416c26}

Set the default value

6. Select the newly created key.
7. In the right-hand pane, double-click (Default) to edit the value.
8. In the Value data field, type: Hyper-V Manager
9. Click OK.

Close Registry Editor

10. Exit the Registry Editor.

Restarting the computer is usually not necessary in this process. However, if changes don’t appear immediately, consider restarting Windows Explorer.

How to restart Windows Explorer

1. 1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open the Task Manager.
   2. Find Windows Explorer under the Processes tab or type it in the search bar at the top.
   3. Right-click it and click Restart.

Verify the addition

11. Open the Control Panel and confirm that Hyper-V Manager appears in the main view or under Administrative Tools.

Optional: Remove Hyper-V Manager from Control Panel

To remove Hyper-V Manager from the Control Panel, go back to the same registry path and delete the key you created:

• {e23fd76f-5b20-40e5-a9b2-1be8f0416c26}

Troubleshooting & common issues

Hyper-V Manager doesn’t open after adding

Make sure Hyper-V is properly installed and enabled in Windows 10. Here’s a quick guide on how you can check:

1. Open the Control Panel via the Windows search bar.
2. Select Programs > Programs & Features > Turn Windows features on or off.
3. Verify if the Hyper-V box is checked.

If it’s unchecked, select it, click OK, and restart your computer if prompted.

Hyper-V Manager doesn’t show up in Control Panel

Double-check that you created the correct registry key at the correct location:

• Registry path:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\ControlPanel\NameSpace

• Registry key:

{e23fd76f-5b20-40e5-a9b2-1be8f0416c26}

After editing the registry, refresh the Control Panel view by restarting File Explorer (refer to the steps provided above) or logging out and back in.

Log out and back in

1. Press Ctrl + Alt + Del and select Sign Out.
2. Sign back into your account and check if Hyper-V Manager appears in the Control Panel.

Accidentally edited the wrong registry key

If you’ve mistakenly edited or deleted an important registry key, restore your registry from a backup if you created one before making changes.

1. Press Win + R to open the Run Dialog box.
2. Type regedit, then clickEnter to open the Registry Editor (click Yes if prompted by User Account Control).
3. Go to File > Import, select your backup file, and click Open.

If you didn’t back up the registry, you can use a system restore point to restore your system to a previous date. We recommend reading this guide on how to perform a System Restore in Windows 10.

How do I go to the Hyper-V Manager?

You can open Hyper-V Manager in several ways once installed and enabled.

Access Hyper-V via the Control Panel

After successfully adding Hyper-V Manager to the Control Panel,

1. Open the Control Panel via the Windows search bar (Win + S).
2. Look for Hyper-V Manager under Administrative Tools or directly in the main view.

Access Hyper-V via Start Menu

1. Press Win + S to open the Windows search bar.
2. Type Hyper-V Manager and select it from the search results.

Access Hyper-V via Command

1. Press Win + R to open the Run Dialog box.
2. Type virtmgmt.msc, and click Enter to open Hyper-V Manager directly.

Access Hyper-V by creating a shortcut

1. Right-click on the desktop and select New > Shortcut.
2. In the location field, type virtmgmt.msc and click Next.
3. Name the shortcut (e.g., Hyper-V Manager), then click Finish.
4. Optional: Right-click the desktop shortcut and select Pin to Start or Pin to Taskbar for quicker access.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is Hyper-V used for?

Hyper-V is Microsoft’s virtualization platform. It allows you to create and run virtual machines (VMs) on your Windows computer. IT professionals, developers, and power users commonly use it to test software, run different operating systems, or isolate environments without affecting the main system.

Does this change affect the Hyper-V feature itself?

No. Adding Hyper-V Manager to the Control Panel only creates a shortcut for easier access. It doesn’t modify or affect the Hyper-V feature or its functionality.

Can I do this on Windows 10 Home?

No. Hyper-V is not supported on Windows 10 Home Edition. It is only available on Windows 10 Pro, Enterprise, and Education editions.

Is this method reversible?

Yes, this method is fully reversible. To remove the entry, simply delete the registry key you created. Once deleted, Hyper-V will be removed from the Control Panel, but Hyper-V itself and its configuration will remain unaffected.

Does adding this improve performance?

No. Adding Hyper-V Manager to the Control Panel is purely for convenience and UI customization. It doesn’t impact system performance or enhance Hyper-V’s functionality.

Adding Hyper-V Manager to the Control Panel

Hyper-V Manager lets you create and run multiple virtual machines on your computer, making it easy to test software, isolate environments, or simulate networks. Adding Hyper-V Manager to the Control Panel doesn’t change its functionality but makes accessing it faster and more convenient.

You can integrate it by creating a NameSpace key in the Registry Editor and deleting the key anytime. This tweak is ideal for IT professionals or power users who prefer the Control Panel workflow. Remember to back up your registry or create restore points when making major changes.