A virtual machine is a type of computer application used to create a virtual environment, which is referred to as virtualization. Virtualization allows the user to see the infrastructure of a network through a process of aggregation. Virtualization may also be used to run multiple operating systems at the same time. Through the help of a virtual machine, the user can operate software located on the computer platform.

There are several different types of virtual machines. Most commonly, the term is used to refer to hardware virtual machine software, also known as a hypervisor or virtual machine monitor. This type of virtual machine software makes it possible to perform multiple identical executions on one computer. In turn, each of these executions runs an operating system. This allows multiple applications to be run on different operating systems, even those they were not originally intended for.

Through the use of the hardware virtual machine software, the user has a seemingly private machine with fully functional hardware that is separate from other users. Hardware virtual machine software also makes it possible for users to boot and restart their machines quickly, since tasks such as hardware initialization are not necessary.