Virtual machine: What is a virtual

What is a virtual machine? A Virtual Machine (VM) is a compute resource that uses software instead of a physical computer to run programs and deploy apps. One or more virtual “guest” machines run on a physical “host” machine. A virtual machine also known as a Virtual Box is defined as a computer resource that functions like a physical computer and makes use of software resources only instead of using any physical computer for functioning, running programs, and deploying the apps. Nov 3, 2025 · Virtualization refers to virtual versions of real-world computer systems, such as computer hardware, storage, and networks, and virtual machines (VM) are part of that virtualization process. It is essentially a software program that acts like a separate computer system. It runs on a physical computer (the host) and behaves like a real computer with its own operating system, memory, storage ... Jul 14, 2017 · Virtual machines allow you to run an operating system in an app window on your desktop that behaves like a full, separate computer.