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Is Virtualization Disabled on Your PC? How to Enable VT-x or AMD-V

See whether virtualization is enabled in Task Manager, how to turn on VT-x or AMD-V in UEFI/BIOS, and when Windows may also need Virtual Machine Platform.
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Check first: virtualization may already be enabled. In Windows, open Task Manager > Performance > CPU and look for the Virtualization status. If it is disabled, enable the processor’s virtualization setting in UEFI/BIOS using the instructions for your specific PC model. Windows may also need a separate feature, Virtual Machine Platform, for some uses.

What VT-x and AMD-V do—and why an app may ask for them

Hardware virtualization lets a PC run environments that emulate or host another operating system, such as Android or Linux. Intel calls its processor virtualization technology VT-x (often shown in firmware as Intel Virtualization Technology); AMD systems commonly use AMD-V or SVM Mode. The exact label depends on the processor and PC maker.

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A message that virtualization is unavailable does not by itself prove that the firmware setting is off. Check Windows’ status first, then distinguish processor virtualization in UEFI/BIOS from Windows features that an app may also require.

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Check whether virtualization is enabled in Windows

  1. Right-click Start and open Task Manager.
  2. Select Performance, then CPU.
  3. Check the CPU details for Virtualization. It should show whether the capability is enabled.

This status-check route is described in a Microsoft Learn Q&A community answer, rather than in Microsoft’s official support procedure. If Task Manager reports enabled but an app still cannot use virtualization, check the Windows feature requirements in the section below.

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Microsoft notes that many Windows PCs already have virtualization enabled. If yours is enabled, there is no need to change the firmware setting just because an app mentions VT-x or AMD-V.

Enable VT-x or AMD-V in UEFI/BIOS

Firmware interfaces vary by manufacturer and model, so identify your PC before changing settings. Microsoft’s Windows virtualization guide links to instructions from manufacturers including Acer, Asus, Dell, HP, and Lenovo. If your manufacturer or firmware developer is not listed, consult the documentation for your device.

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  1. Open Windows Recovery settings. In Windows 11, go to Settings > System > Recovery. In Windows 10, go to Settings > Update & Security > Recovery.
  2. Start Advanced startup. Under Advanced startup, select Restart now.
  3. Enter UEFI settings. In the recovery screen, choose Troubleshoot > Advanced options > UEFI Settings > Restart. Your PC will open its UEFI utility; some devices call this interface BIOS.
  4. Find and enable the virtualization option. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for your model. The setting may be named Intel Virtualization Technology, Intel VT-x, AMD-V, or SVM Mode; names and menu locations vary.
  5. Save and exit. Use the firmware’s save-and-exit option, then let Windows restart. Change only the required setting: Microsoft warns, “Only change what you need to in the UEFI (or BIOS). Adjusting other settings might prevent you from accessing Windows.”
  6. Verify in Windows. Return to Task Manager > Performance > CPU and check the Virtualization status again.

When to enable Virtual Machine Platform in Windows

Processor virtualization in firmware and Windows’ Virtual Machine Platform are separate settings. Enabling VT-x or AMD-V does not automatically enable that Windows feature. Microsoft says that in some situations—particularly after upgrading from Windows 10 to Windows 11—you may also need to enable Virtual Machine Platform.

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  1. Open Start and search for Turn Windows features on or off.
  2. Select Virtual Machine Platform, then select OK.
  3. Restart Windows if prompted.

Whether you need this Windows feature depends on the software you are trying to run. Follow that app’s requirements; do not treat enabling it as a substitute for turning on processor virtualization in UEFI/BIOS.

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If virtualization still appears unavailable

  • Task Manager says Disabled: Revisit your PC maker’s model-specific firmware instructions and confirm you changed the virtualization option, not an unrelated setting.
  • Task Manager says Enabled, but the app reports an issue: Check whether the app requires Virtual Machine Platform or another Windows component, and restart after enabling any requested feature.
  • You cannot find UEFI Settings: The available recovery options can vary by PC. Consult the device maker’s instructions for entering firmware setup and avoid changing other firmware settings.
  • The menu label does not match the examples: Firmware names and locations vary. Use the manufacturer’s documentation for your exact model rather than assuming every Intel or AMD PC uses the same menu.

For the official Windows route and links to manufacturer instructions, see Microsoft Support: Enable Virtualization on Windows. For the Task Manager status check and common setting-name examples, see the Microsoft Learn Q&A on enabling virtualization.

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