Hardware virtualization is a unique tool that allows access to all operating systems on one device. Easy installation and easy to use. Find out how to enable virtualization on your computer.
- Windows 8 Guide
- Windows 8.1 Guide
- Windows 10 Guide
- Intel User Guide
- AMD User Guide
Advantages of virtual systems
The use of virtual systems implies complete freedom of action. You can run various applications that previously did not work on your main OS, use exclusive programs from the developers of installed systems, and perform other tasks you need.
The additional benefit of virtual machines lies primarily in the needs of programmers. If you need to test your software on different platforms, there is nothing better than installing an emulator and the corresponding operating system on it.
If you are worried that once you install a Linux virtual machine, you will no longer be able to boot new systems, you can forget about these worries. Your computer can have as many operating systems as you need. Of course, depending on how much free space you have. Therefore, we recommend that you allocate a separate logical partition for all installations in advance.
Intel VT-x can be disabled; AMD-V is always enabled by default
The first thing you need to know when working with Intel VT-x technology is that this virtualization technology can be disabled in BIOS or UEFI, and is often disabled by default in new computers.
AMD-V technology is always available by default if you're using an AMD processor that supports it, so there's no need to fiddle around with the BIOS or UEFI settings to enable this virtualization technology. However, some hypervisors (for example, Hyper-V from Microsoft), when enabling the use of AMD-V or Intel VT-x, may report that the technology is not available.
How to find out if your equipment supports virtualization technology?
Most computers since 2015 support virtualization in some way, so you can skip this step. If you are not sure or want to make sure before loading a couple of tens of gigabytes onto your hard drive, we recommend using the appropriate analysis utilities.
Intel Processor Check
If your computer runs on an Intel processor, download the Intel Processor Identification Utility application.
- Launch the Intel analyzer application.
- In the program's welcome window you will see basic information about the model of the installed processor. To check whether your hardware supports hardware virtualization, click on the CPU Technologies .
- In the drop-down menu, you will find the Intel Virtualization Technology . If there is a checkmark next to it, then your computer supports hardware virtualization.
AMD processor check
To check whether an AMD processor supports hardware virtualization, you will need to download the AMD V Detection Utility.
The instructions for its use are extremely simple. You just need to download and run the file. Once it opens, you will immediately see a message letting you know whether your computer supports hardware virtualization.
Solving possible problems
The absence of mentions of virtualization in the BIOS indicates that it is not supported, and if such an item is available but not active, it means it is not supported by the processor. You can find out all the technologies supported by your CPU on the processor manufacturer’s website. If support is available, but the BIOS is empty, updating its firmware to the latest version may help.
Problems with enabling hardware virtualization in Windows 10 or older versions can be resolved in the following ways:
- command bcdedit /set {current} hypervisorlaunchtype auto (the command line must be run as administrator);
- by enabling the Sandbox or Hyper-V virtual machine components, which can be found at Control Panel - Programs and Features - Turn Windows features on or off.
Preparing for work
Windows 8 Guide
- Open the toolbar on the right side of the screen and go to Settings .
- Next, go to the Change your PC settings .
- In the window that opens, select the General . Scroll down the page, find the Special download options and click on the Restart now .
Windows 8.1 Guide
- Open the start menu and click on the arrow located in the lower left corner.
- You will see a list of applications installed on your computer. Pay attention to the right side of the window and find the dialog box.
- Type the word Settings , open them and go to PC Settings .
- Next, open the Update and Recovery .
- Go to the Recovery and under the Special boot options , click on the Restart now .
Windows 10 Guide
- Open Windows Settings . The easiest way to do this is with the Windows key combination + I.
- Go to Update and Security .
- Next, open the Recovery .
- Find the Special boot options and click on the Restart now .
What should I do if the Intel VT-x option is not available?
Sometimes there is an unpleasant situation when your processor supports virtualization technology, but it is disabled and cannot be enabled in the BIOS. This periodically occurs on laptops where virtualization is disabled to save battery power.
In this case, look for BIOS updates for your model, or a special utility from the manufacturer (some kind of Control Center, just run it with administrator rights). As a last resort, look for a solution on the Internet; most likely, your issue has already been resolved before.
Enabling virtualization in BIOS
Depending on which processor you use, your computer's BIOS may look completely different. This leads to the fact that interface elements may end up in two completely different places.
Intel User Guide
1. Launch your computer's BIOS.
2. Click the Advanced Mode .
3. Next, go to the Advanced .
4. In the window that opens, you need to select the CPU Configuration .
5. Scroll to the bottom of the new window and find the Intel Virtualization Technology . Turn it on.
6. Exit the BIOS, remembering to save your changes.
AMD User Guide
1. Launch your computer's BIOS.
2. Click the Advanced Mode .
3. Go to the Advanced .
4. In the window that opens, select the CPU Configuration .
5. Scroll to the bottom of the list and find the SVM Mode . Right-click on it and enable virtualization by selecting Enabled .
6. Close the BIOS, remembering to save your changes.
Virtualization is an incredibly convenient tool that allows each user to have as many operating systems on their computer as they need. Applications, software testing and even the opportunity to try something new in the IT field - all this is now in your hands.
Trying to reinstall Hyper-V
Such annoying errors can occur if you have Hyper-V installed. Microsoft's hypervisor blocks other programs (VirtualBox or VMWare) from accessing Intel VT-x and AMD-V processor virtualization technology. In this case, you will see an error message, despite the fact that this technology is available and included in the BIOS or UEFI.
To fix the problem, you need to go to Control Panel - Add/Remove Programs - Window Components. In the menu you need to uncheck Hyper-V to uninstall it. After that, restart your computer and try running VirtualBox or VMWare again.
It turns out that Hyper-V reserves Intel VT-x/AMD-V hardware technology for itself the entire time it is installed in the system.
Do you need this
Why does the average user need such a wonderful technology, what does it give and does it give at all? By and large, there is no need, and support for virtualization in a home PC processor is more of a tribute to trends than an urgent need.
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Software tools also cope well with virtualization tasks that may arise. If your PC processor does not support virtualization, do not rush to upgrade. Most likely, you do not need this technology at all.
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Meanwhile, technology today provides support and is widely implemented by both pillars on which the production of computer processors rests - Intel and AMD. Naturally, buying such a device will cost more – and not because it is technically much more complex.
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The point is marketing - for supporting virtualization, some are ready to shell out extra money, not really understanding what they want to sell them.
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Virtualization Technology
The term sounds like the name of some secret laboratory inventing infernal machines to enslave humanity for its further integration into the Matrix. In the case of a processor, this is much more boring - just providing part of the computing power for a specific task or several at once.
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The peculiarity is that a special environment is created for them - a kind of “sandbox”, the processes in which cannot in any way affect the system as a whole, but can access the processor directly, bypassing intermediaries in the form of the main OS and all related services.
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Today, the area of practical application is technology that is developing in three directions:
View Virtualization
The terminal server provides its power to the user, and it also runs the client application, and only the calculation results are displayed on the user’s device. This is convenient because the requirements for client software and hardware are significantly reduced and security is increased.
What are the features of setting up virtualization on Windows 7
Windows 10 has a built-in utility for enabling this technology, called Hyper-V. On the seven there is no such remedy. To configure the mode, a Windows Seven user will have to independently download Hyper-V from the Microsoft website on the Internet and install the tool on his computer. Already there you can perform further actions to properly configure virtualization.
In general, you won’t have to configure anything manually, since all the parameters are already set as needed by default. The user only needs to activate the function by moving the corresponding slider to the “Enabled” position.
In some situations, the mode can be enabled from the program window to create a virtual machine after installing it on a desktop computer or laptop. And for this, it is not necessary to go into the motherboard BIOS to understand how to enable hardware virtualization on Windows 7.
The process of creating a virtual machine on a PC
If the PC has a processor from AMD, then the process of enabling the technology is carried out in a similar way through the BIOS. In fact, nothing depends on the brand of CPU here. The main thing is that the central processor supports the desired mode. But the video card settings may contain restrictions on the use of virtualization. They will need to be removed using a special utility in which you can change the parameters of the video adapter.
Based on the above, it can be argued that virtualization allows you to solve many problems on your home computer. Therefore, it is important that the CPU supports such technology, which may be required when creating a machine to emulate another operating system.
