Windows 11 Enterprise virtual machine now available for developers

Developers have a new tool from Microsoft to help create Windows applications.

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What you need to know

A Windows 11 Enterprise virtual machine (VM) is now available to download. The VM allows developers to “start building Windows applications quickly by using a virtual machine with the latest versions of Windows, the developer tools, SDKs, and samples ready to go,” according toMicrosoft. There are four virtualization software options available: VMWare, Hyper-V, VirtualBox, and Parallels.

The Windows 11 Enterprise VM is a 20GB download, and it will expire on January 9, 2022.

The evaluation virtual machine includes the following:

As noted byZDNet, Microsoft’s page is incorrectly titled “get a Windows 10 development environment.” The page actually allows you to download a Windows 11 Enterprise virtual machine. Microsoft may update this page in the future to better reflect its contents.

Virtual machines allow developers to use Windows without having to run the OS on a system. When running a Windows 11 Enterprise VM, developers will be able to work from devices running other operating systems, such as Linux or macOS. Support for VMWare, Hyper-V, VirtualBox, and Parallels gives users several options for developing in a virtual machine.

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Sean Endicott is a tech journalist at Windows Central, specializing in Windows, Microsoft software, AI, and PCs. He’s covered major launches, from Windows 10 and 11 to the rise of AI tools like ChatGPT. Sean’s journey began with the Lumia 740, leading to strong ties with app developers. Outside writing, he coaches American football, utilizing Microsoft services to manage his team. He studied broadcast journalism at Nottingham Trent University and is active on X @SeanEndicott_ and Threads @sean_endicott_.