To enable virtualization in Windows 11, first check Task Manager > Performance > CPU; if it shows Virtualization: Disabled, restart into your UEFI firmware through Settings > System > Recovery > Advanced startup and turn on Intel VT-x (Intel Virtualization Technology) or AMD SVM Mode. Once it is on in firmware, you can add Windows features such as Hyper-V, Windows Sandbox, Virtual Machine Platform and WSL 2.
| Feature | Needs CPU virtualization | Windows 11 Home | Windows 11 Pro |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hyper-V (Hyper-V Manager, VMs) | Yes | Not available | Available |
| Windows Sandbox | Yes | Not available | Available |
| Virtual Machine Platform | Yes | Available | Available |
| WSL 2 (Linux on Windows) | Yes | Available | Available |
| Third-party VMs (VirtualBox, VMware Workstation) | Yes | Available | Available |
| Memory integrity (VBS) | Yes | Available | Available |
How do I check if virtualization is enabled in Windows 11?
Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager, select Performance, then CPU, and look at the Virtualization line under the graph. Enabled means the hardware feature is switched on in firmware; Disabled means you need to turn it on in UEFI. Many recent PCs ship with it already enabled.
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc.
- Select Performance in the left pane (the speedometer icon).
- Choose CPU and read the Virtualization value at the bottom right.
For a second opinion, open Terminal and run systeminfo. Near the end, the Hyper-V Requirements section lists items such as Virtualization Enabled In Firmware. If it instead says A hypervisor has been detected, virtualization is already on and Windows is using it.
What we commonly see: the Virtualization line is missing entirely on some systems. That usually happens inside a virtual machine, or when the processor lacks hardware virtualization support, rather than because of a Windows setting.
What are Intel VT-x, VT-d and AMD-V?
Intel VT-x and AMD-V are the CPU extensions that let a hypervisor run virtual machines efficiently. AMD-V is usually labelled SVM Mode in firmware. Intel VT-d and AMD-Vi (often shown as IOMMU) are separate features for passing hardware devices directly to virtual machines; most home users only need VT-x or SVM.
- Intel VT-x: often called Intel Virtualization Technology or Intel (VMX) Virtualization Technology.
- Intel VT-d: Intel VT for Directed I/O; enabling it is harmless and helps some security features, but it is optional for ordinary VMs.
- AMD-V: shown as SVM Mode or Secure Virtual Machine on most AMD boards.
- AMD-Vi: shown as IOMMU; optional for most users.
A hypervisor is the thin software layer that shares the processor, memory and storage between the host and its virtual machines. Hyper-V is Microsoft's hypervisor. Second Level Address Translation (SLAT), called EPT on Intel and RVI or NPT on AMD, is also required for Hyper-V and is present on practically every CPU that meets Windows 11's system requirements.
How do I enable virtualization in BIOS or UEFI?
Go to Settings > System > Recovery, select Restart now next to Advanced startup, then choose Troubleshoot > Advanced options > UEFI Firmware Settings > Restart. In the firmware, find the virtualization option, usually under Advanced, CPU Configuration or Security, enable it, then save and exit.
- Save your work and open Settings > System > Recovery.
- Next to Advanced startup, select Restart now and confirm.
- On the blue menu, choose Troubleshoot > Advanced options > UEFI Firmware Settings, then Restart.
- In the firmware, look for Intel Virtualization Technology, VT-x or SVM Mode. Common locations are Advanced > CPU Configuration on desktop boards and Security > Virtualization or Configuration on laptops.
- Set it to Enabled.
- Save and exit, usually with F10, and let Windows start normally.
- Re-check Task Manager > Performance > CPU.
Microsoft's enable virtualization on Windows page links to firmware instructions from Acer, ASUS, Dell, HP and Lenovo. Surface devices have virtualization enabled already.
Cause and effect: changing unrelated firmware options, such as storage mode (AHCI, RAID or VMD) or Secure Boot, can stop Windows from starting or trigger a BitLocker recovery prompt. Change only the virtualization setting, and have your BitLocker recovery key to hand before entering firmware on an encrypted PC.
How do I turn on Hyper-V in Windows 11?
On Windows 11 Pro, Enterprise or Education, search Start for Turn Windows features on or off, tick Hyper-V, select OK and restart. Alternatively, run Enable-WindowsOptionalFeature -Online -FeatureName Microsoft-Hyper-V -All in an administrator PowerShell window. Microsoft states that Hyper-V cannot be installed on Windows 11 Home.
- Select Start and type
Windows features. - Open Turn Windows features on or off.
- Tick Hyper-V (both Hyper-V Management Tools and Hyper-V Platform).
- Select OK, then Restart now.
- Open Hyper-V Manager or Hyper-V Quick Create from Start to build your first VM.
The full requirements, including the 4 GB minimum memory and the DISM alternative, are in Microsoft's install Hyper-V documentation.
If you are on Home, the Hyper-V box simply is not in the list. A Home to Pro upgrade key unlocks it without reinstalling, as explained in our guide to upgrading Windows 11 Home to Pro, along with Windows Sandbox, BitLocker management and Remote Desktop hosting.
How do I enable Windows Sandbox, Virtual Machine Platform and WSL 2?
All three are switched on from Turn Windows features on or off once CPU virtualization is enabled. Tick Windows Sandbox (Pro and above) for a disposable desktop, Virtual Machine Platform for WSL 2 and some emulators, or run wsl --install as administrator to set up WSL 2 and Ubuntu in one step.
Windows Sandbox
Windows Sandbox is a lightweight, temporary Windows desktop that is wiped when you close it, ideal for testing an unknown installer. Microsoft lists the requirements as Pro, Enterprise or Education, at least 4 GB of RAM (8 GB recommended), 1 GB of free disk space and two CPU cores. Enable it by ticking Windows Sandbox in Windows features, or run Enable-WindowsOptionalFeature -FeatureName "Containers-DisposableClientVM" -All -Online in an administrator PowerShell window. See Microsoft's Windows Sandbox installation guide for details.
WSL 2 and Virtual Machine Platform
- Right-click Start and select Terminal (Admin).
- Run
wsl --install. This enables the required features and installs Ubuntu by default. - Restart when prompted, then open Ubuntu from Start to create a Linux user.
To enable Virtual Machine Platform on its own, for example for an Android emulator that requests it, tick it in Windows features or run dism.exe /online /enable-feature /featurename:VirtualMachinePlatform /all /norestart and restart.
Advanced nuance: Windows features also include Windows Hypervisor Platform, an API layer that lets third-party tools such as VirtualBox and QEMU run on top of Microsoft's hypervisor. Enable it only if your virtualisation software's documentation asks for it.
Why do Android emulators or VirtualBox conflict with Hyper-V?
When Hyper-V, Virtual Machine Platform, WSL 2 or memory integrity is active, Windows runs on top of Microsoft's hypervisor and takes ownership of VT-x or AMD-V. Older emulators and virtualisation tools that expect direct access to those extensions may then refuse to start, run slowly or prompt you to disable Hyper-V.
Memory integrity, also called Hypervisor-protected Code Integrity (HVCI), is part of Virtualization-based Security (VBS). It is found under Windows Security > Device security > Core isolation details > Memory integrity. Microsoft's memory integrity documentation notes that some drivers and apps are incompatible with it.
Before switching off any protection, try these steps:
- Update the emulator or VM software; current versions of VirtualBox, VMware Workstation and most Android emulators can run alongside Hyper-V.
- Check the emulator's support pages for a Hyper-V-compatible edition or setting.
- Enable Windows Hypervisor Platform if the vendor recommends it.
- Only as a last resort, turn off the conflicting feature, and switch memory integrity back on afterwards.
Keeping memory integrity enabled is the safer default, because it helps block malicious drivers. If a driver blocks it from turning on, our guide to updating drivers in Windows 11 shows how to find a compatible version.
Frequently asked questions
Is it safe to enable virtualization in BIOS?
Yes. Hardware virtualization is a standard CPU feature that many PCs ship with enabled, and Windows 11 security features rely on it. It does not slow the PC when unused. The main risk is accidentally changing other firmware settings, so alter only the virtualization option and save.
Does enabling virtualization improve gaming performance?
Not directly. Virtualization lets you run virtual machines, WSL 2 and emulators. Some games on Windows 11 may run marginally differently with VBS features active, but enabling VT-x or SVM in firmware alone does not make ordinary games faster or slower in any meaningful way.
Can I use Hyper-V on Windows 11 Home?
No. Microsoft does not support installing the Hyper-V role on Windows 11 Home, and the option is missing from Windows features. Home users can still use WSL 2, Virtual Machine Platform and third-party tools such as VirtualBox, or upgrade the edition to Pro to unlock Hyper-V and Windows Sandbox.
Why is the virtualization option greyed out or missing in my BIOS?
Some PC makers hide it behind an advanced mode, place it under a security menu or lock it with a supervisor password. On business laptops, IT policy may manage it. Check the maker's support documentation for your model, install the latest firmware update and confirm the CPU supports VT-x or AMD-V.
Do I need to enable virtualization for WSL 2?
Yes. WSL 2 runs a real Linux kernel in a lightweight virtual machine, so it needs CPU virtualization enabled in firmware plus the Virtual Machine Platform feature. Running wsl --install handles the Windows side automatically; if it reports a virtualization error, enable VT-x or SVM in UEFI first.
Related guides
- Windows 11 Pro vs Home: which edition do you need?
- Upgrade Windows 11 Home to Pro without reinstalling
- How to run Windows 11 on a Mac
- Windows 11 system requirements and TPM 2.0
- How to free up RAM and speed up Windows 11
Links in this guide
| Link | Type | Why it helps |
|---|---|---|
| Windows 11 system requirements | Internal | Confirms your CPU supports the features virtualization needs |
| Home to Pro upgrade key | Internal | Unlocks Hyper-V and Windows Sandbox on Home PCs |
| Upgrade Home to Pro without reinstalling | Internal | Step-by-step edition upgrade |
| Update drivers in Windows 11 | Internal | Fixes drivers that block memory integrity |
| Enable virtualization on Windows | External | Microsoft's UEFI steps and PC maker links |
| Install Hyper-V | External | Official Hyper-V requirements and commands |
| Windows Sandbox installation | External | Sandbox prerequisites and enablement |
| Memory integrity (HVCI) | External | How VBS memory integrity works and its compatibility notes |