Hardware Virtualization, also called Platform, Server virtualization is the virtualization of computers as complete hardware platforms. In this post, we will show you how to disable or enable Hardware Virtualization in Windows 11/10, via the BIOS settings.
How to enable Virtualization in Windows BIOS?
Reboot your Windows 11/10 computer and enter the BIOS. Once here, click on the Advanced Tab and press Enter to continue. Here, select Virtualization and Enable it. Finally, Save the changes and reboot the computer. We will see this in detail in this post for Acer, ASUS, Dell, HP, Lenovo, Sony, Toshiba, etc. computers.
While most recent PCs support hardware virtualization, not all computer vendors enable this feature as shipped from the factory. The setting may be called VT-x, AMD-V, SVM, Vanderpool, Intel VT-d or AMD IOMMU if the options are available.
If you are unable to find the Virtualization settings in your BIOS it may mean that your PC does not support it. Nevertheless, you can check if your Windows PC supports 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 as you click Restart in Windows to reboot straight to that menu. To access the UEFI Firmware Settings, click the Troubleshoot tile, select Advanced Options, and select UEFI Firmware Settings. Click the Restart option afterward and your computer will reboot into its UEFI firmware settings screen.
Disable or Enable Hardware Virtualization in Windows 11/10
Different MOBOs use different BIOS configurations – so to enable or disable Hardware Assisted Virtualization (HAV) on your Windows device, you can see the sections below for a list of the most common computer manufacturers and information regarding accessing the BIOS settings for each PC manufacturer.
Acer
Most commonly: F2 or Delete.
On older computers: F1 or the key combination CTRL+ALT+ESC.
- Turn ON the System.
- Press F2 key at startup BIOS Setup.
- Press the right arrow key to System Configuration tab, Select Virtualization Technology and then press the Enter key.
- Select Enabled and press the Enter key.
- Press the F10 key and select Yes and press the Enter key to save changes and Reboot into Windows.
Asus
Most commonly: F2.
Alternatively: Delete or Insert key, and less commonly F10.
- Turn ON the System.
- Press F2 key at startup BIOS Setup.
- Press the right arrow key to Advanced tab, Select Virtualization Technology and then press the Enter key.
- Select Enabled and press the Enter key.
- Press the F10 key and select Yes and press the Enter key to save changes and Reboot into Windows.
Read: How to disable 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 F2 key at startup BIOS Setup.
- Press the right arrow key to Advanced tab, Select Virtualization and then press the Enter key.
- Select Enabled and press the Enter key.
- Press the F10 key and select Yes and press the Enter key to save changes and Reboot into Windows.
HP
Most commonly: F10 or ESC.
Alternatively: F1, F2, F6, or F11
On HP Tablet PCs: F10 or F12
- Turn ON the System
- Repeatedly press Esc key at startup.
- Press the F10 key for BIOS Setup.
- Press the right arrow key to System Configuration tab, Select Virtualization Technology and then press the Enter key.
- Select Enabled and press the Enter key.
- Press the F10 key and select Yes and press the Enter key to save changes and Reboot.
Lenovo
Most commonly: 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 key, try to press and hold it while you power on the laptop. This also works if your Sony VAIO came with Windows 8.
- With the computer turned completely off, press and hold the Assist button until the black VAIO screen appears.
Note: The location of the Assist button will be different depending on the computer model. Refer to the operating instructions supplied with the computer for the exact location of the Assist button on your model.
- At the VAIOCare | Rescue Mode screen, press the Down Arrow key until the Start BIOS setup [F2] option is highlighted, and then press the Enter key.
- In the [BIOS Name] Setup Utility screen, press the right-arrow key until the Advanced tab is selected.
- On the Advanced tab, press the down-arrow key until Intel(R) Virtualization Technology is selected and then press the Enter key.
- Use the arrow keys to select Enabled, and then press the Enter key.
- Press the right-arrow key until the Exit tab is selected.
- Press the down-arrow key until Exit Setup is selected and then press the Enter key.
- In the Save screen, verify Yes is selected and then press the Enter key.
Read: How to Start & Stop Hyper-V VM using PowerShell
Toshiba
Most commonly: F2 key.
Alternatively: F1 and ESC.
Toshiba Equium: F12
- Turn ON the System.
- Press F2 key at startup BIOS Setup.
- Press the right arrow key to Advanced tab, Select Virtualization Technology and then press the Enter key.
- Select Enabled and press the Enter key.
- Press the F10 key and select Yes and press the Enter key to save changes and Reboot into Windows.
I hope you find this post informative enough!
Should I enable Virtualization in BIOS?
If you do not plan to use any virtual machines on your PC, there is no need to enable Virtualization. However, even if you do it, it will not cause any issues.
Read next:
- Virtualization support is disabled in the firmware
- How to enable TPM in Hyper-V to install Windows 11.
- Find if your computer supports Intel VT-X or AMD-V.
