How to enable virtualization in BIOS?

Virtualization lets you run multiple virtual machines on a single physical server, creating separate computing environments that share the same hardware resources. You may think of it as getting multiple computers' worth of functionality from one powerful machine.

Enabling virtualization dramatically improves efficiency by maximizing hardware utilization (no more servers sitting at 10% CPU usage), slashes infrastructure costs by reducing the number of physical machines you need, and gives you incredible flexibility to spin up new environments in minutes rather than days. 

Given this long list of benefits, it should come as no surprise that the global virtualization market size is expected to reach around USD 96.11 billion in 2025 and projected to grow at a CAGR of 7.75%, reaching approximately USD 139.57 billion by 2030. Stats aside, what matters most is knowing how to get started. And it begins with a simple step: enabling virtualization in BIOS settings.

In this guide, we will walk you through everything you need to know about how to turn on virtualization in BIOS, from the technical steps to troubleshooting common roadblocks, plus some alternative approaches to virtualization.

What is virtualization?

Virtualization is a technology that allows you to create virtual versions of physical computing resources, such as servers, operating systems, storage devices, or networks. It basically refers to the abstraction of some physical component into a logical object that behaves like an independent system. 

To put it simply, virtualization means taking something physical, like a computer or storage, and turning it into a virtual version, so it can be used as if it were a separate, independent system.

Three essential components work together to enable virtualization, each with a specific role.

1. The host machine: The host machine is the physical computer that provides the hardware resources for virtualization. It is the base system where the virtualization software, or hypervisor, is installed. The host machine's hardware, including its CPU, memory, storage, and network interfaces, is shared among one or more virtual machines.

2. Virtual machine: A virtual machine, also known as a guest machine, is a virtualized computer system that operates on a host machine. A VM is an isolated environment with its own virtual hardware (e.g., virtual CPU, RAM, and hard disk) and a separate operating system. It functions just like a physical computer but exists as a set of files on the host machine.

3. Hypervisors: A hypervisor, sometimes called a virtual machine monitor, is the software that makes virtualization possible. It creates and manages virtual machines, splits up the host’s resources like CPU and memory, and makes sure each VM stays separate. It is the hypervisor that enables multiple operating systems to run concurrently on the same physical hardware.

What is CPU virtualization?

CPU virtualization, as the name clearly suggests, is a technology that allows a single physical central processing unit (CPU) to be used by multiple virtual machines as if each VM had its own dedicated CPU. 

The hypervisor manages this process by assigning each VM one or more virtual CPUs (vCPUs) and scheduling them onto the host’s physical CPU cores. It acts as a layer between the VM and the physical CPU. When a VM's operating system issues a CPU instruction, the hypervisor captures it, translates it, and then sends it to the physical CPU for execution.

CPU virtualization can offer you many advantages, including:

Efficient resource utilization: Allows multiple VMs to share the same physical CPU cores, maximizing usage instead of leaving processing power idle.

Enhanced performance: Ensures workloads run smoothly by distributing CPU resources where they are needed.

Security testing: Creates isolated environments, making it safe to test software or security scenarios without affecting the main system.

Balanced load distribution: Evenly distributes workloads across virtual CPUs, which keeps any single CPU from being overloaded. 

What are the types of virtualization?

Virtualization can be categorized based on which resources or components are being virtualized. This includes virtualizing hardware, software, or even data itself. Each type creates a virtual version of a resource, allowing it to be shared or isolated for improved efficiency and flexibility. 

Below is an overview of the major types of virtualization. 

1. Desktop virtualization: This type of virtualization separates the user's desktop environment from the physical machine. The operating system and applications run on a centralized server in a data center, and the user accesses it remotely from a simple device.

2. CPU virtualization: As mentioned above, CPU virtualization lets you assign virtual (vCPUs) to VMs, which are then scheduled to run on the physical CPU cores.

3. Network virtualization: This process combines physical network resources (like switches and routers) and abstracts network functions (via SDN, NFV) to create flexible, software-defined networks. It allows network administrators to manage and control the network centrally, without manually changing the hardware.

4. Application virtualization: This virtualization type separates an application from the operating system it runs on. The application is packaged to run in a self-contained environment, often from a server or cloud environment, without installation on the local machine. This prevents it from conflicting with other applications or the underlying operating system.

5. GPU virtualization: With GPU virtualization, a single physical Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) is shared among multiple users or virtual machines. It is critical for tasks that require high-end graphics processing in a virtual environment, such as engineering applications, gaming, 3D design, or video rendering.

6. Storage virtualization: This technique combines physical storage from many devices into one big virtual pool. That pool can then be easily managed and shared with servers and virtual machines, without being restricted by the limitations of the physical hardware.

7. Data virtualization: This process builds a single virtual layer that gives applications and users a unified view of data from various sources. It allows you to access and manipulate data without needing to know where it is physically stored.

8. Cloud virtualization: This is a broad category where virtualization is used to build flexible and scalable computing resources in the cloud. It is basically the foundation of all cloud services, whether it is Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) or Software as a Service (SaaS).

Additional read: Enhanced data accuracy with the SuperOps and IT Glue integration

What are the benefits of enabling virtualization?

Reducing hardware costs is only the beginning of what virtualization can do. It also makes resources work harder, gives you the flexibility to deploy quickly, creates safe, isolated spaces for security and testing, and so much more. Let us take a look at each of these benefits. 

1. Cost savings: Virtualization reduces the need for multiple physical servers by running several VMs on one physical host. This consolidation cuts costs related to hardware acquisition, energy consumption, cooling, and data center space.

2. Improved disaster recovery: With snapshots and replications, virtualization makes it easier and faster to back up entire systems. This allows for rapid recovery in case of hardware failure, natural disasters, or cyberattacks, ensuring business continuity with minimal downtime.

3. Simplified IT management: Centralized control allows easy deployment, monitoring, and maintenance. Plus, IT administrators can manage resources from a single platform, reducing the time and effort required for infrastructure management.

4. Flexibility and scalability: Virtualization supports quick creation, adjustment, or removal of VMs based on demand. This scalability helps businesses adapt to changing workloads efficiently without additional hardware requirements.

5. Enhanced security: Since VMs are isolated from each other, the spread of cybersecurity threats or breaches between VMs is limited. Apart from that, you can even apply additional security policies at the hypervisor level for better protection.

6. Better resource utilization: Based on your needs, virtualization can optimize CPU, memory, and storage by dynamically allocating resources to VMs. This reduces waste and improves overall infrastructure efficiency.

7. Faster deployment: New applications and services can be deployed rapidly by cloning or spinning up VMs from templates without waiting for new physical hardware.

8. Support for remote work: Virtualization also enables secure access to virtual desktops and applications from any location, boosting productivity and collaboration in distributed or remote teams.

Additional read: How schools can fix their IT infrastructure in 2025

What are the system requirements to enable virtualization?

To enable virtualization on your system, the typical system requirements include:

• Processor: A 64-bit CPU with hardware-assisted virtualization technology support, such as Intel VT-x or AMD-V. The processor should support features like Second Level Address Translation (SLAT) for better performance.

• RAM: At least 4 GB of RAM; more is recommended depending on the number and type of virtual machines you want to run.

• BIOS/UEFI: Virtualization must be enabled in BIOS/UEFI firmware settings. While most modern systems include this option by default, some older machines may not support it.

• Operating system: A 64-bit OS that supports your chosen hypervisor. For example, Windows 10/11 Pro, Enterprise, or Server editions for Hyper-V; most modern Linux distributions for KVM/Xen.

• Hypervisor software: A hypervisor is essential to create and manage virtual machines. Common hypervisors include Microsoft Hyper-V (Windows 10/11 Pro, Enterprise, Server), VMware vSphere/ESXi, Oracle VirtualBox, Citrix Hypervisor (XenServer), and KVM (Linux).

• Storage: Sufficient disk space for the operating system, hypervisor, and VM disk files. At least 10 GB for basic installations, and significantly more (50 GB or more) for production environments, depending on VM workload.

How to enable virtualization in BIOS?

To enable virtualization, you need to access your computer's Basic Input Output System (BIOS) or Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) settings and turn on the specific feature for your processor.  

Step 1: Restart your computer and immediately press the designated key to enter BIOS/UEFI settings. Common keys are F1, F2, Delete, Esc, or F10.

Step 2: Navigate to the CPU or Advanced settings section in the BIOS menu. This might be labeled as "Advanced," "Processor," "CPU Configuration," or something similar.

Step 3: Locate the virtualization setting. It may be named “Intel Virtualization Technology,” “VT-x,” “AMD-V,” “SVM Mode,” or simply “Virtualization,” depending on your CPU brand and BIOS version.

Step 4: Once you find the setting, select it and change the option from "Disabled" to "Enabled."

Step 5: After you have enabled the setting, navigate to the "Save and Exit" section of the BIOS menu. Save your changes and restart the computer. The computer will now boot with virtualization enabled, allowing you to run virtualization software like Hyper-V, VMware, or VirtualBox.

Additional read: How to use Windows Command Prompt?

How to enable virtualization in Windows 10 and 11?

Enabling virtualization in Windows 10 and 11 is done through the operating system's built-in features, primarily Hyper-V. Before you begin, you should enable virtualization in BIOS settings first, as this is a mandatory requirement. Once you have done that, follow the given steps: 

Enable virtualization in Windows 11/10 

1. Press the Windows key on your keyboard, type "Turn Windows features on or off," and press Enter.

2. A new window will pop up with a list of features. Find and check the boxes for:

• Hyper-V (This is the primary virtualization platform)

• Virtual Machine Platform

• Windows Hypervisor Platform

3. Cick OK.

4. Windows will begin installing the required files. Once the installation is complete, you will be prompted to restart your computer.

5. After the restart, Hyper-V will be enabled and ready to use.

Enabling virtualization using PowerShell

If you prefer using the command line, you can enable the necessary features with a single command.

1. Press the Windows key, type "PowerShell," right-click on "Windows PowerShell," and select "Run as administrator."

2. In the PowerShell window, type the following command and press Enter: “Enable-WindowsOptionalFeature -Online -FeatureName Microsoft-Hyper-V -All.”

3. PowerShell will show the progress of the installation. Once it is finished, you will be prompted to restart your computer.

4. The next time your computer boots up, the virtualization features will be fully enabled.

To verify that the virtualization is enabled, open Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc), go to the Performance tab, and check if Virtualization is listed as Enabled under the CPU section.

Additional read: How to enable BitLocker encryption on Windows 10? 

What are the uses of virtualization?

Virtualization has a wide range of applications, from running different operating systems on one machine to powering entire cloud platforms. Let us walk through some of the most common uses.

1. Server consolidation and resource optimization

Virtualization allows multiple VMs to run on a single physical server, increasing resource utilization and reducing the number of physical servers needed. This lowers hardware acquisition, maintenance, and energy costs and simplifies data center management.

2. Development and testing environments

Developers can quickly create isolated virtual environments to test applications and software updates without risking production systems. This accelerates development cycles and improves software quality by testing across multiple OS and configurations.

3. Disaster recovery

Virtual machines can be backed up and snapshotted frequently, enabling quick restoration of systems in case of failure. Virtualization also simplifies replication of VMs to remote sites, enhancing disaster recovery strategies.

4. Support for remote work and virtual desktops

Desktop virtualization enables users to access their desktop environment from any device or location via virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI). This enhances workforce mobility, security, and centralized control over desktop resources and data.

5. Improved security

Workload isolation reduces the risk of threats spreading between VMs, providing an additional security layer. 

6. Cloud and hybrid cloud enablement

Cloud computing is built on virtualization, allowing dynamic allocation of virtual resources on demand. It also supports hybrid cloud setups by allowing workloads to move smoothly between on-premises and cloud environments.

7. Legacy application support

Older applications requiring outdated OS versions can be run inside virtual machines on modern hardware without compatibility issues, extending application lifespans without compromising security. 

8. Efficient resource allocation

GPU, network, and storage resources can be shared among multiple VMs by using technologies like NVIDIA vGPU, SDN, and software-defined storage, optimizing performance and flexibility.

9. Edge computing and IoT

Virtualization enables the deployment of lightweight, isolated environments on edge devices, which are located closer to data sources, thereby optimizing latency, bandwidth, and security in IoT ecosystems.

What are some common virtualization issues, and how to troubleshoot them?

Virtualization simplifies IT in many ways, but it can still present obstacles if not managed carefully. Administrators often run into familiar issues that can impact performance or reliability. Let us walk through some of these challenges and practical ways to troubleshoot them.

1. Too many unused Virtual Machines (VMs) - VM sprawl

It is easy to create many virtual computers, but some might not get used and just waste computer power and storage.

Solution: Keep track of VMs, delete or suspend inactive VMs, and implement lifecycle management policies.

2. Network traffic jam

Many VMs share the same network connection, which can slow down the internet and data transfer.

Solution:  Add or upgrade network interfaces, configure virtual networks (vSwitches, VLANs, QoS), or place high-traffic VMs strategically across hosts to avoid network slowdown.

3. One broken server affects many VMs

If the physical computer that hosts many VMs breaks, all those VMs go down too.

Solution: Spread VMs across several servers so that one failing server does not stop everything. Use high-availability clusters and backup servers that take over if one fails.

4. Slow performance for some apps

Some older or special programs might not work well inside VMs and can be slow.

Solution: Give VMs enough memory and CPU power. Test programs before moving them to VMs and update or replace old software if needed.

5. Software licensing confusion

Using many copies of software on VMs may cause legal problems if licenses are not properly managed.

Solution: Know the software rules, track licenses carefully, and make sure you have the right licenses for all your VMs.

6. Containers can be tricky to manage

Containers are like tiny, fast VMs, but lots of them can be hard to keep organized.

Solution: Use tools like Kubernetes to automate and manage many containers easily.

Additional read: The hidden costs of disconnected tools

What are the key security considerations when enabling virtualization?

Efficiency, performance, and cost savings are great, but they should not come at the expense of security. When enabling virtualization in BIOS firmware, these are the security considerations you need to pay attention to:

VM escape attack: A VM escape is when an attacker exploits vulnerabilities to break out of a guest VM and gain control over the host system or other VMs. This compromises the hypervisor’s isolation model, allowing access to sensitive data and critical system controls across all virtualized resources.

Data breach risks: Without robust segmentation and access controls, a breach in one VM could provide lateral access to data stored in others, facilitating large-scale data exfiltration or unauthorized access.

Malware propagation: Malware infecting one VM can rapidly spread to other VMs on the same host, especially if network segmentation and real-time monitoring are not working properly.

Insider threats: Insiders with privileged access may intentionally or inadvertently manipulate VMs, clone disks, or tamper with network configurations, which heightens the risk of data theft, sabotage, or unauthorized exposure.

Increased complexity: Virtual environments add layers of abstraction, making visibility, monitoring, and security enforcement more complicated. Juggling multiple workloads and resources widens the attack surface and makes managing security compliance even more difficult.

What are some alternatives to BIOS virtualization?

Enabling virtualization can be done through different approaches, depending on whether access to BIOS is available or if software-based methods are preferred. While BIOS configuration remains the most common method, IT professionals often need flexible alternatives when managing diverse client environments or facing access limitations.

Enabling virtualization through the operating system

When hardware virtualization is already supported but not yet configured at the OS level, you can enable virtualization features directly within Windows or Linux. 

Enabling virtualization in Windows 11 and 10, as we have discussed above, involves enabling Hyper-V through Windows features, which activates Microsoft's built-in hypervisor without requiring third-party software. 

Linux systems can similarly enable KVM (Kernel-based Virtual Machine) through package installation and kernel module configuration. 

This approach works well when BIOS virtualization is enabled, but you need to activate the OS-level virtualization framework.

Using virtualization software

Third-party virtualization platforms offer another pathway, particularly useful when you need cross-platform compatibility or specific features. Solutions like VMware Workstation, Oracle VirtualBox, Parallels, or QEMU can provide virtualization capabilities.

These platforms install on the host OS and allow running virtual machines without direct BIOS configuration changes. However, if BIOS virtualization is disabled, software emulation modes are slower and less efficient, but still usable for some tasks. 

Agent-based Remote Monitoring and Management (RMM) tools

RMM tools used by IT professionals can remotely check system virtualization status, enable or configure OS-level virtualization features, and deploy virtualization environments across multiple machines. These tools install a lightweight software agent on a physical host machine to provide a centralized view and control of all the VMs running on it. 

But this method is less about creating virtualization and more about managing it at scale, acting as an alternative to manual management. 

SuperOps exemplifies how modern unified IT management platforms simplify virtualization management for MSPs. 

With its integrated PSA+RMM approach, SuperOps enables IT teams to remotely monitor virtualized environments, maintain oversight of virtualization settings, deploy configuration changes, and manage virtual machine performance across multiple client sites from a single dashboard, without requiring physical access to client hardware. 

This approach saves significant time and effort, making the management of complex virtual infrastructures more efficient. 

Additional read: 6 signs you need a new RMM tool

The bottom line

Virtualization offers a practical way to cut costs, launch applications faster, support remote work, improve disaster recovery, and strengthen security through isolation.

SuperOps takes these benefits further by leveraging virtualization to deliver automation, proactive monitoring and alerting, deeper endpoint management, and stronger security for a wide range of assets. Together, they create a foundation for smooth IT operations, lower expenses, and the agility MSPs and IT teams need to stay ahead. Start your free trial today.