Hardware virtualization, also known as platform, server virtualization is the virtualization of computers as complete hardware platforms. In this article, we’ll show you how to disable or allow hardware virtualization in Windows 11/10, via BIOS settings.
How do I allow virtualization in the Windows BIOS?
Restart your Windows 11/10 PC and enter the BIOS. Once here, click on the Advanced tab and press Enter to continue. Here, Virtualization and enable it. Finally, save the settings and restart the pc. We will see this in detail in this article for Acer, ASUS, Dell, HP, Lenovo, Sony, Toshiba, etc.
While PC hardware virtualization is all the rage, not all PC vendors allow this feature right out of the box. The configuration can be called VT-x, AMD-V, SVM, Vanderpool, Intel VT-d, or AMD IOMMU if features are available. .
If you can’t locate virtualization settings in your BIOS, it may mean that your PC doesn’t have them. Still, you can check if your Windows PC has HAV.
If your computer doesn’t offer any options to access its BIOS before your OS loads then it is possible that it uses UEFI instead. On a UEFI-based computer, there is often no button press prompt before the OS loads. Instead, you will access these settings from within the OS.
For a Windows system; hold down the Shift key while clicking Restart in Windows to reboot directly from this menu. To access the UEFI firmware settings, click the Troubleshoot tile, click Advanced Options, and then click UEFI Firmware Settings. Then click on the Restart option and your PC will reboot on the UEFI firmware setup screen. Disable or allow hardware virtualization in Windows 11/10.
Different MOBOs use different BIOS settings. Therefore, to enable or disable hardware-assisted virtualization (HAV) on your Windows device, you can refer to the following sections for a list of the most common PC brands and data related to accessing BIOS settings for the PC manufacturer.
Most commonly: F2 or Delete.
On older computers: F1 or the CTRL ALT ESC key combination. Turn on the system. Press the F2 key when BIOS setup begins. Press the right arrow key to enter the System Settings tab, Virtualization Technology, and then press the Enter key. Select Activate. and press the Enter key. Press the F10 key and Yes and press the Enter key key to save settings and reboot in Windows. Asus
Most commonly: F2.
Alternatively: the Delete or Insert key and, more rarely, F10. Turn on the system. Press the F2 key when starting BIOS setup. Press the right arrow key to navigate to the Advanced tab, Virtualization Technology, and then press the Enter key. Select On and press Enter. Press the F10 and Yes key and press the Enter key to save the settings and restart in Windows.
Read: How do I turn off VBS? DELL
Newer models: F2 key whilst Dell logo is on screen.
Alternatively: F1, Delete, F12 or F3.
Older models: CTRL, ALT, ENTER, or Delete, or Fn, Esc, or Fn, F1. Turn on the system. Press the F2 key when BIOS setup begins. Press the right arrow key to enter the Advanced tab, Virtualization, and then press the Enter key. Select On and press Enter. Press the F10 and Yes key and press the Enter key to save the settings and restart in Windows. HP
Most commonly: F10 or ESC.
Alternatively: F1, F2, F6, or F11
On HP tablets: F10 or F12 Turn on the system. Press Esc key continuously at startup. Press the F10 key to configure the BIOS. Press the right arrow key to enter the System Configuration, Virtualization Technology tab, and then press the Enter key. . Select Enabled and press the Enter key. Press the F10 key, Yes, and then press the Enter key to save the settings and reboot. Lenovo
Most often: F1 or F2
Older hardware: the key combination CTRL+ALT+F3 or CTRL+ALT+INS or Fn+F1.Enabling VT-x in ThinkPad (Tablets/Convertibles/Notebooks):Power ON the system.Press Enter or Tap the touch screen during Lenovo startup screen.Press or Tap F1 to enter into BIOS Setup.Navigate to Security tab, then press Enter on Virtualization.Select Intel(R) Virtualization Technology, Press Enter, choose Enable and press Enter.Press F10.Press Enter on YES to save the settings and boot into Windows.Enabling VT-x in ThinkCentre (Desktops):Power ON the system.Press Enter during Lenovo startup screen.Press F1 key to enter into BIOS Setup.Navigate to the Advanced tab and press Enter on CPU Setup.Select Intel(R) Virtualization Technology, Press Enter, choose Enable and press Enter.Press F10.Press Enter on YES to save the settings and boot into Windows.Sony
Sony VAIO: F2 or F3
Alternatively: F1
If your VAIO has an ASSIST button, check to press and hold it while turning on the laptop. It also works if your Sony VAIO comes with Windows 8. With the computer completely turned off, press and hold the button until the black VAIO screen appears. .
Note: The location of the Support button will vary depending on your PC model. Refer to the user manual that came with your computer for the exact location of the assist button on your model. At VAIOCare | On the Rescue Mode screen, press the down arrow until Start BIOS Setup [F2] is highlighted, and then press the Enter key. On the [BIOS Name] Setup Utility screen, press the right arrow key until you select the Advanced tab. Matrix On the Advanced tab, press the down arrow until you select Intel(R) Virtualization Technology, and then press Enter. Use the arrow keys to select On, and then press the Enter key. Press the right arrow key until the Exit tab is selected. Press the down arrow until Exit Settings is selected, and then press the Enter key. On the Save screen, make sure Yes is selected, and then press Enter.
Read: How to get started and bypass a Hyper-V PowerShellToshiba virtual machine
Most often: F2 key.
Alternatively: F1 and ESC.
Toshiba Equium: F12 Turn on the system. Press the F2 key when BIOS setup begins. Press the right arrow key to access the Advanced tab, Virtualization Technology, and then press the Enter key. Select On and press Enter. Press the F10 key and Oui. et press the Enter key to save the settings and restart in Windows.
I hope this article is informative enough! Do I want to allow virtualization in the BIOS?
If you don’t plan to use virtual machines on your PC, you don’t need to allow virtualization. However, even if you do, it may not possibly be a problem.
Read next: Virtualization is disabled in firmware. How to allow TPM on Hyper-V to install Windows 11. Find out if your PC has Intel VT-X or AMD-V.
Updated March 12, 2023 Tags: VirtualRelated ArticlesConvert VMware to VirtualBox and vice versaNo crash dump target configured, host crash dumps can be savedVirtual machine will boot without the ISOObinna@TWC file
Obinna finished B. Tech in Information and Communication Technologies. He has worked as a Systems Support Engineer, mainly in user endpoint management, as well as as a Technical Analyst, mainly in server/systems administration. She also delights as a network and communications manager. He is a Windows Insider MVP (2020) and most recently owns and runs an IT clinic.
Last News
January 14, 2024 Microsoft Releases BitLocker Troubleshooting Script to Update Windows 10 WinRE
December 30, 2023 Microsoft disables ms-appinstaller protocol handler for security reasons Latest revisions
January 4, 2024How to make Music with AI for Beginners using Musicfy
Dec 22, 2023 short. ai Review: Grow Your YouTube Channel 10x with Youtube Shorts AI Maker