How to Enable Virtualization in BIOS?
You are here to enable virtualization in your BIOS and you are at the right place. But first, let’s know about it a little bit. Hardware Vitalization Aka Hardware-Assisted Virtualization is the creation of virtual versions of OS or Server inside a system.
For example, there are users who want to create a virtual platform of Windows Server 2019 in their Windows 10, and enabling the virtualization option will start the procedures first step.
Almost all architectures including AMD, Intel, Lenovo, and many more have the ability to perform virtualization. There are even third-party applications as Virtual Box, VMware, Hyper-V to perform virtualization too.
In Intel, Hyper-V or hyper version comes as prebuilt; still, you will need to enable the virtualization option to use it. Not only, it will be helpful for the OS as well as for third-party apps.
How does the Virtualization works?
Virtualization got popular on servers, and small physical servers combine into a single large physical server to perform virtualization.
Basically, you will run an OS in a server which is then used inside another OS inside the virtual machine. That is how virtualization works on a professional level. On basic levels, you create an environment (any OS or server) inside a host (might be OS or server).
Once created then you will check your apps, networks, or games in that customized environment. Normally, apps as Virtual Box, VMware, Parallels, or Windows SandBox are used. However, Hyper-V or Hypervisor is the most common and basic virtualization software for Windows OS and servers.
What are the advantages of Virtualization?
Before we continue on enabling the virtualization features, let’s know about the advantages too. Even though, you can perform virtualization on your system. Still, enabling the feature will help you in processor, RAM, storage performance.
Since the requirements for virtualization are high; enabling will make it easier to handle. Performing virtualization can be a great platform for testing different applications. You have way better control on specs as compared to a physical system, you can make clones of your systems and the environment is totally customizable.
Here is how to enable virtualization from BIOS?
Since there are numerous systems, you can’t enable them all by following the same steps. Even though all the procedures are almost the same, but in some, the steps are back and forth. Enabling the feature will also improve the Virtual Box, VMware, or other third-party application performance.
We have provided an overlook of how to enable the virtualization from your systems BIOS, still, some systems might have different steps. We have made a list on enabling the feature from BIOS on different systems architectures.
Check if the Virtualization is Enabled
You will need to check if the feature is already enabled on your system. So, here is how to check if you have enabled virtualization on your system.
- Using CMD (command prompt)
Run your CMD as admin and type “systeminfo”. Once all the details are shown on your screen, scroll down and find the Virtualization Enabled in Firmware. If you found out YES then it is enabled, on NO means disabled.
- Checking with Task manager
Click on the menu bar> Task Manager or go to Start and type Task Manager. You can also use CTRL+SHIFT+ESC to open the Task Manager. Inside the Task Manager, you will find Virtualization: Enabled/Disabled.
Reboot your system
The first step will be to reboot your system. While your system restarts, perform multiple clicks on ESC, F1, F2, F4, or SPACE buttons on your keyboard. This will take you to your BIOS, where you will continue to the next step.
CPU Configuration
Inside your BIOS, you will find CPU Configuration, Processor, Northbridge, or even Chipset. If you can’t find the section right away, then search for Advanced or Advanced Mode, inside that you will find the CPU Configuration for sure.
Set Virtualization
Now, you will need to find the option to enable your Virtualization option. Hardware as Vander pool, SVM, AMD-V, Intel Virtualization Technology can be enabled in the Acceleration section. Enable the Virtualization and save it.
Save and exit
Now that you have enabled Virtualization, you will need to save the changes that can be done by going to the exit menu and select Save Changes and Exit option. Soon, your system will reboot.
Once your systems start again, you have successfully enabled virtualization from BIOS.
