How do I enable virtualization enabled?

Instructions

Note: Not all Dell computers support Virtualization. If a Virtualization configuration option is not available in the BIOS, then Virtualization is not supported.

Enable or Disable Hardware Virtualization on Dell systems.

  1. Power on your system.
  2. Press F2 when the Dell logo appears to enter BIOS setup.
  3. Go to the Virtualization settings. The path can vary based on your system model:
    • Advanced > Virtualization
      Or
    • Virtualization Support > Virtualization
  4. Set Virtualization to Enabled.
  5. Set Virtualization for Direct-IO (or VT-d) to Enabled.
  6. Save and Exit.
  7. The system reboots.

Additional Information

  • KB article 195980: How To Enable or Disable Windows Virtualization (VMP) on Dell Systems

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 enable or disable Hardware Virtualization in Windows 11/10, via the BIOS settings.

How do I enable virtualization enabled?

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-xAMD-VSVM, 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 10 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.

Different MOBOs use different BIOS configurations – so to enable or disable Hardware Assisted Virtualization (HAV) on your Windows 10 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

How do I enable virtualization enabled?

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.

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.

Hope you find this post informative enough!

Read next:

  1. Virtualization support is disabled in the firmware
  2. How to enable TPM in Hyper-V to install Windows 11.
  3. Find if your computer supports Intel VT-X or AMD-V.

How to enable Virtualization in BIOS?

Enabling Virtualization in your PC BIOS.
Reboot your computer..
Right when the computer is coming up from the black screen, press Delete, Esc, F1, F2, or F4. ... .
In the BIOS settings, find the configuration items related to the CPU. ... .
Enable virtualization; the setting may be called VT-x, AMD-V, SVM, or Vanderpool..

How to enable Virtualization in Windows 10 BIOS?

Type “turn windows features on or off” and click on it to open it. Scroll down and check the box next to Hyper-V. Click OK. Windows will install the necessary files to enable virtualization.

Why is Virtualization not showing in BIOS?

Enable Virtualization in Your BIOS. In most cases where virtualization won't work, even if your CPU supports it, the cause is that you have the feature disabled in your computer's BIOS or UEFI. Though most modern computers support virtualization, it often comes disabled by default.

Does my computer have Virtualization enabled?

To check if Virtualization is enabled/disabled on your desktop/laptop, simply press Ctrl + Shift + Esc keys to open the Task Manager. Click on the Performance tab and under CPU, you will find information about Virtualization on your desktop/laptop. If it says Enabled, then Virtualization is turned on.