How to Enable Virtualization in Windows 10 and 11

Enabling virtualization is an essential step if you want to use virtual machines, enhance system performance, or run apps that require virtual environments. This guide will walk you through enabling virtualization in both Windows 10 and Windows 11, covering the process from your BIOS settings to configuring your operating system.

How to Enable Virtualization in Windows 10 and Windows 11 (In-Depth Tutorial)

Key Takeaways

  • Virtualization must be enabled in your BIOS before configuring it in Windows.
  • The process varies slightly between Intel and AMD CPUs, but both require accessing your BIOS or UEFI settings.
  • Once virtualization is enabled in your BIOS, it must also be activated within Windows features for full functionality.

Step 1: Access Your BIOS/UEFI Settings

UEFI Firmware Settings highlighted in the advanced options menu in the Windows recovery environment.

To enable virtualization, the first step is to access your BIOS or UEFI settings. Here’s how you can do this:

  1. Restart Your Computer: Right-click on the Start button and select Shutdown or Sign Out > Restart while holding down the Shift key.
  2. Enter BIOS/UEFI: From the restart menu, select Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > UEFI Firmware Settings, then click Restart.If you have an older PC that doesn’t support UEFI, restart your computer and repeatedly press the Delete or Escape key to enter the BIOS.
Restart to enter UEFI Firmware Settings from the Windows recovery environment.

Step 2: Enable Virtualization in BIOS (Intel & AMD)

Once inside the BIOS or UEFI settings, follow these steps based on your CPU:

Intel CPU

Intel example of Gigabyte BIOS/UEFI screen with 'Intel Virtualization Technology' highlighted.
  1. Navigate to the BIOS Features menu.
  2. Find Intel Virtualization Technology and set it to Enabled.
  3. Do the same for the VT-D setting, setting it to Enabled as well.
  4. Save your changes by pressing F10 and restart your computer.
Intel example of Gigabyte BIOS/UEFI screen with 'Save configuration and reset' highlighted and 'Yes' selected.

AMD CPU

AMD example of Gigabyte BIOS/UEFI screen with 'SVM Mode' highlighted and enabled.
  1. Go to the Advanced Frequency Settings in your BIOS.
  2. Select Advanced CPU Settings and enable SVM Mode, which is AMD’s virtualization technology.
  3. Save the changes and exit by pressing F10 and restart your computer.
AMD example of Gigabyte BIOS/UEFI screen with 'Save configuration and reset' highlighted and 'Yes' selected.

Step 3: Verify Virtualization in Windows

Search for 'Turn windows features on or off' in Windows 10 with a result from Control Panel.

After enabling virtualization in the BIOS, it’s time to ensure it’s activated within Windows:

  1. Open Windows Features: Use the Windows key + S shortcut, and search for Turn Windows features on or off.
  2. In the pop-up window, enable the checkboxes for Virtual Machine Platform and Windows Hypervisor Platform. If you see Hyper-V, enable that too.
  3. Click OK, and restart your computer when prompted.
Windows Features screen with 'Virtual Machine Platform' and 'Windows Hypervisor Platform' enabled.

Step 4: Troubleshoot Virtualization Issues

If you’re unable to find virtualization settings in your BIOS, try the following:

Example of a Gigabyte motherboard manual with instructions to enable Virtualization in the BIOS/UEFI.
  • Check Your Motherboard Manual: Open the System Information app on your computer (search using Windows key + S), and note your Baseboard Manufacturer and Baseboard Product. Search for the manual of your motherboard online and look for virtualization settings.For laptops, you can search for your laptop’s manual to find virtualization settings in the BIOS.
  • Consult Microsoft Support: Visit Microsoft’s official guide on BIOS changes to find specific instructions for various manufacturers.
Microsoft support website with instructions on how to enable virtualization on Windows 11 PCs.

Conclusion

Enabling virtualization on your Windows 10 or Windows 11 machine is an essential task for those needing to run virtual machines or software that relies on virtual environments. Whether you’re using an Intel or AMD CPU, following this guide will allow you to enable virtualization easily.

For further assistance, refer to your motherboard’s manual or visit Microsoft’s support page for additional troubleshooting tips.


FAQs

1. Why can’t I find virtualization settings in my BIOS?

If virtualization settings are missing in your BIOS, your motherboard may not support it, or it could be under a different name. Check your motherboard’s manual for details.

2. How do I know if virtualization is enabled?

You can verify if virtualization is enabled by opening Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc) and going to the Performance tab. Under CPU, check if “Virtualization: Enabled” is displayed.

3. Does enabling virtualization affect performance?

Enabling virtualization typically has no negative effect on regular performance. However, it allows you to run virtual machines, which can enhance productivity.

4. Do all computers support virtualization?

Most modern CPUs support virtualization, but it must be enabled in the BIOS. Older computers may lack support for this feature.

5. Can I disable virtualization after enabling it?

Yes, you can disable virtualization by reversing the steps in the BIOS and Windows settings.

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