One of the most appreciated features in Windows 10 is the option to enable hardware virtualization. Windows has its own platform for making this Virtualization happen, which is called Hyper-V. What is Virtualization in Bios? Well, it is the process in which you can make a virtual machine in your computer alongside the main system. The benefits of Virtualization are, you can run experiments on your computer and install everything according to your wish, while the main system remains protected and separated. You can make more than one “mini computer” within one computer if you opt for this “Virtualization.” But before we take you to that part, make sure that your device meets the following requirements.
Pre-requisites for Enabling Virtualization
To make sure that your computer is eligible for hardware virtualization, you have to go through this checklist we are giving below.
- Hypervisor, which in the case of Microsoft is Hyper-V, is only available if you have a 64-bit edition of Windows 10 pro. (Windows 10 Home edition is not eligible)
- Your computer processor must support Virtualization, or to be specific, Secondary Level Address Translation (SLAT) needed.
- Enabling Virtualization Windows 10 BIOS, a program to boot up your computer.
- Your system must have at least 4 GB memory. More RAM would be even better, enabling Virtualization.
Determining whether Virtualization is Enabled or Disabled
- Before you can go on the process of virtualizing your computer, you would have to know whether the “Virtualization” enabled on your computer or not. You can check this by going to the task manager by following the steps mentioned below.
- You can open the Task Manager by pressing Ctrl + Shift + Esc on the keyboard. Once this task manager opens, you will find the tab called “Performance.”
- Here you will get to see whether the virtualization is enabled or disabled in your computer. If the information says that virtualization is enabled, then it is already turned on.
There is an alternative method of determining whether virtualization enabled on your computer or not. Follow these steps given below to know about the status of virtualization on your computer.
- Open the Windows PowerShell window to enter a command.
- Enter this given command correctly on the said window: “ systeminfo.exe. “
- Do not close the window as it may take a bit of time to show the result.
- Check under the “Hyper-V Requirements.”
- If the “Virtualization Enabled in Hardware” says “Yes,” then VT-x enabled on your PC.
Checking if CPU Supports Virtualization
If the CPU of your computer supports Virtualization, it would have hardware assisted Virtualization in it. Now CPUs can be of two types, INTEL CPU and AMD CPU.
To know whether the CPU of your PC supports Virtualization or not, you would have to determine which type of CPU you have in your computer.
1. Checking for INTEL CPU Virtualization (VT-x)
1. You have to download the INTEL processor identification utility from the official website of the same.
2. Now you have to launch this INTEL Processor identification utility on your computer after successfully installing the same.
3. The next step requires you to check the drop down menu by going to the “CPU technology” tab.
4. If you see a tick mark before the “INTEL Virtualization Technology,” then you can be sure that VT-x is supported in your computer.
2. Checking for AMD CPU Virtualization (AMD-VT)
1. The first step towards determining whether your AMD CPU supports VT or not is AMD-V detection utility installation.
2. Once the extraction done, go to the file in .exe format and then choose the “Run as Administrator” option.
3. A pop-up notification would show whether your PC enabled for virtualization or not.
Entering BIOS for Enabling Virtualization
The Basic Input Output system, known as BIOS, lets you have a seamless operation of the device. It performs multiple basic functions to run the computer smoothly. But, in certain cases, BIOS is responsible for controlling advanced operations, such as Virtualization. Make sure to follow these next steps to enable VT in your computer’s Basic Input Output System.
1. It is better to boot up the computer device for entering BIOS where you want to enable Virtualization. Now, go for the “Start” button.
2. After the start menu springs open in front of you, you would need to go to the Settings. Now, choose the “Update and security settings” option.
3. Another tab called “Recovery” would pop up on the screen. Go to the “Restart now” option and select it.
4. Once you click on the “Restart now” option, you will notice four options those are “Continue,” “Use a device,” “Troubleshoot,” and “Turn off your PC.” Go for the troubleshoot option.
5. Now you have to click on the “Advanced options” and then click on the “UEFI firmware settings.”
6. After you click on the “Restart” option again, you will be directed to the BIOS settings right away.
If you came across the error that ‘This Computer doesn’t have VT-x/AMD-v Enabled’, just follow the below 2 methods to enable VT-x and AMD-VT.
Enable VT x Windows 10
Now you have come to the ultimate step of enabling virtualization in the BIOS settings of your computer. As we have earlier talked about, virtualization in INTEL and AMD are different. Below, you would find the step-by-step answer for how to enable VT-x and AMD-VT.
How to Enable VT-x in BIOS?
If VT-x is disabled in the BIOS for all CPU modes (Verr_vmx_msr_all_vmx_disabled), here is the detailed process on how to enable Virtualization in Bios Windows 10,
1. Once you have entered the BIOS settings of your PC, click on the “Advanced mode settings,” or you can consider pressing the F7 key as well.
2. Now carefully go for the Advanced tab > Select CPU configuration.
3. You would find an option called Intel Virtualization Technology, with the sub-options “Disabled” and “Enabled.” If this host supports Intel VT-x, but Intel VT-x is disabled, just click on the Enabled option to complete the virtualization set up for your INTEL CPU.
4. Now click on the button called “Exit,” and make sure to click on the “Save changes & Reset” button.
How to Enable AMD-V?
If AMD-v is disabled in the BIOS, follow below simple steps and enable AMD Virtualization,
1. Open the BIOS settings, then press the F7 button on your keyboard. You can also click on the “Advanced mode option” to get the same desired results.
2. Find the “Advanced” tab and navigate to the “CPU configuration”.
3. There should be an “SVM Mode,” which you have to click on to get the drop down list. Select the “Enabled” option after the drop-down list pops open.
4. You can now click on the tab called “Exit.”
5. Then it asks whether you want to save the changes or not. Click on the “OK” button to confirm the Virtualization you just enabled.
Conclusion
When you are aware of turning your PC into a virtual machine, you can freely set up your own desired system while keeping the main computer system secluded. You must know that there are multiple benefits of enabling Virtualization on your computer. But to avail of those benefits, you would have to go through a detailed and thorough process. Keep in mind that the steps towards virtualizing your personal computer may slightly differ from device to device. But we have tried to give you a general tutorial on how to enable Virtualization based on the type of CPU of your PC.