This wikiHow teaches you how to enable hardware/CPU virtualization in PC BIOS. The steps you need to follow to access the BIOS and make changes will vary depending on your computer manufacturer.
Step
Step 1. Find out if your computer supports hardware virtualization
The best way to find out if a processor supports hardware virtualization is to download and run the CPU identification tool from the processor manufacturer (usually Intel or AMD).
-
Intel Processor:
- Visit the Intel Processor Identification Utility page.
- Scroll to the language option you want and click the blue button labeled “ pidenu47.msi ” (number shown may be different).
- Download the required files.
- Double-click the file and follow the on-screen instructions to run the tool.
- Click the tab " CPU Technologies ”.
- If hardware virtualization is supported by the processor, the word Yes will be displayed next to Intel Virtualization Technology.
-
AMD processors:
- Visit the AMD Utilities page.
- Click " AMD Virtualization™ Technology and Microsoft® Hyper-V™ System Compatibility Check Utility ”.
- Download and extract the required files.
- Open the extracted folder and double click the file “ amdhypev.exe ”.
- Follow the instructions displayed on the screen to start the equipment. If the system supports hardware virtualization, you will see the message This system is compatible with Hyper-V.
Step 2. Restart the PC
You need to perform the next step as soon as the computer loads from a black screen (black screen). Therefore, be prepared.
Step 3. Press the BIOS access key as soon as the computer loads
The key combination that needs to be pressed is different for each BIOS manufacturer, but usually you will need to press the Del, Esc, F1, F2, or F4 key. Touch the button twice per second as soon as the screen goes black so you don't miss access to the BIOS.
If the keys you are using don't work, restart the computer and try another key
Step 4. Locate the CPU configuration segment
Browse the menu labeled “ Processor ”, “ CPU Configuration ”, “ Chipset ", or " Northbridge ”.
You may need to click on the link “ Advanced " or " Advanced Mode ” before looking at the options.
Step 5. Look for virtualization settings
Browse options or menus that allow you to enable virtualization. Menu names may be different for each computer, but try looking for options with the following names (or something similar): “ Intel Virtualization Technology ”, “ AMD-V ”, “ Hyper-V ”, “ VT-X ”, “ Vanderpool ", or " SVM ”.
Step 6. Select the Enabled option
You may need to select it from a drop-down menu or checklist.
If you see the option “ Intel VT-d " or " AMD IOMMU ”, also enable that option.
Step 7. Save changes
Select the option to save changes. You may need to select the option “ Exit first.
Step 8. Exit BIOS
After saving changes and exiting the BIOS, the computer will restart and hardware virtualization has been enabled.
