What are the steps to activate virtualization on Windows 11?
Enabling Virtualization in Windows is not difficult at all. You simply need to be familiar with the precise steps to accomplish this. And guess what? Today, we are here to provide some information that will clarify the Hyper-V concept and guide you in enabling it on your Windows 11 computer.
As we are aware, the latest Windows 11 introduces a distinct and revamped interface design, which may result in confusion among users when attempting to activate this particular feature.
Our purpose is to make your work easier, so I won't spend any more time explaining and will instead guide you directly through the steps to enable Virtualization (hyper-v) in Windows 11.
What is Microsoft Hyper-V?
If you are unfamiliar with Hyper-V, it is a virtualization platform developed by Microsoft for Windows. Windows 11 includes this feature, but it must be manually enabled as it is disabled by default on your computer.
Regrettably, if your PC is equipped with the Windows 11 home edition, it might not support certain features exclusive to Windows 11 Pro and Windows 11 Education versions.
If you are unsure of how to verify the version of Windows 11 you have, you can click on the provided link. Hyper-V is primarily used to enable the running of virtual machines on a Windows PC.
The mentioned paragraph can be paraphrased as follows in English language: The virtual machine is a software program that enables you to operate multiple operating systems on one physical device, ensuring they are isolated and secure.
Instructions on How to Determine if Your PC is Compatible with Hyper-V
There are two ways in which you can determine if your computer supports Virtualization. Let's examine each method:
1. Using Task Manager
- To start, simultaneously press and hold Ctrl+Shift+Esc keys. This action will open the Task Manager. Next, go to the Performance Tab.
- Next, on the right side, you will be able to determine whether your PC possesses the virtualization feature or not.
2. Use Command Prompt
- To begin with, access the Windows Search bar and look for CMD. Proceed to launch it with administrative privileges.
- Next, proceed to carry out the command: systeminfo.
- If your PC is equipped with virtualization, the CMD screen will display this information at the bottom.
Instructions for Enabling Virtualization on Windows 11.
Now that you have gained knowledge on how to determine if your PC is capable of Virtualization, it is time to proceed with turning it on.
However, before we begin, you should verify whether this feature is enabled in your BIOS/UEFI settings menu. To check, follow these steps:
Please be aware that different laptop and computer brands have unique key combinations to access the BIOS settings. Therefore, you need to identify and press the appropriate boot key specific to your device in order to access the BIOS/UEFI settings.
Restart your personal computer, then press the F2 or F10 function key. Access the System Configuration or Virtual Technology settings, or any similar settings, and activate them.
Okay, now that you have activated this feature in your BIOS/UEFI settings, let's go through the process of enabling Virtualization in Windows 11.
- To begin, simultaneously press the Win+R key to open the Run prompt box.
- Next, enter "optionalupdates.exe" and press the enter key.
- The next step is the appearance of the Windows Features screen. On this screen, you have the ability to enable or disable various Windows 11 settings, including Hyper-V. Therefore, you can easily find and confirm if all the settings related to Hyper-V are enabled, and then simply click the OK button.
- Afterward, a new window showing progress will appear. Consequently, you should wait until the process is finished. When it is done, press the Restart Now button.
How to access the Hyper-V Manager on your Windows 11 computer.
After completing the steps mentioned above, when you restart your computer, you will have the capability to create and control your Hyper-V machines. Now, we will explore how you can utilize this functionality.
- To begin, navigate to the Windows Search function and look up Hyper-V Manager. Subsequently, launch it by selecting "Run as Administrator."
- You now have the option to use hyper-v to create and oversee your virtual machine. Utilize the New Virtual Machine Wizard to create a new virtual machine on your choice of operating system, such as Windows, Linux, or another OS.
- Since the Virtual Machine relies on your system's resources to function effectively, it is advised not to allocate it excessive RAM or storage capacity.
- From Author’s Desk
So, that's everything we have regarding the steps to activate Virtualization (hyper-v) in Windows 11. We trust that this guide has been beneficial to you. Nevertheless, if you have any uncertainties about the Hyper-V feature or encounter difficulty in enabling it, please share your concerns in the comments.