How to Enable Virtualization on a Windows 10 Computer or Laptop

Virtualization allows you to run multiple operating systems on a single device, which can be useful for software testing or simultaneously using different OS environments. If your computer or laptop supports virtualization, you can enable it through the BIOS or UEFI. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the steps to enable virtualization on Windows 10 devices.

Step 1: Check Virtualization Support

Before enabling virtualization, ensure your processor supports this feature:

  • Intel: Intel processors support virtualization through Intel VT-x technology.
  • AMD: AMD processors use AMD-V technology for virtualization.

To check if virtualization is supported, follow these steps:

  1. Open Task Manager by pressing Ctrl + Shift + Esc.
  2. Go to the Performance tab.
  3. Look for virtualization information at the bottom right of the window. If your device supports virtualization, you’ll see it indicated there.

Step 2: Enable Virtualization in BIOS/UEFI

To enable virtualization, you’ll need to access your device’s BIOS or UEFI. Here’s how:

  1. Restart your computer and press the key to enter BIOS/UEFI (usually F2, Delete, Esc, or F10, depending on your device model).
  2. In the BIOS/UEFI menu, go to the Advanced or CPU Configuration section (the name may vary).
  3. Find the option Intel Virtualization Technology or AMD-V and set it to Enabled.
  4. Save the changes and exit BIOS/UEFI (usually by pressing F10).

Step 3: Enable Hyper-V in Windows 10

For full virtualization functionality in Windows 10, you can enable Hyper-V, Microsoft’s built-in virtualization platform.

  1. Open the Control Panel and go to Programs > Programs and Features.
  2. Click on Turn Windows features on or off.
  3. Select the Hyper-V checkbox and click OK.
  4. You’ll need to restart your computer to complete the installation.