How to enable virtualization on Windows 11
If you need to use virtualization on Windows 11, you have to enable the feature manually, and here’s how.
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OnWindows 11, virtualization enables you to run multiple instances of Windows 11, older versions, and operating systems from other platforms, such asLinux. In addition, the support allows you to enable other virtualization experiences likeWindows Subsystem for Linux (WSL)andWindows Subsystem for Android (WSA).
Although Windows 11 has virtualization support, it’s something that, in most cases, you may have to enable manually in the Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) firmware and on the operating system’s settings.
Thisguidewill walk you through the steps to enable all the features and components to support virtualization on Windows 11.
How to enable hardware virtualization on Windows 11
To enable hardware virtualization on Windows 11, use these steps:
Once you complete the steps, the computer will have support for virtualization features on Windows 11.
How to enable software virtualization on Windows 11
After enabling the virtualization at the hardware level, you can enable the virtualization components available on Windows 11 or install other solutions, such as VMware. (VirtualBox from Oracle doesn’t require hardware or software virtualization to be enabled before installation.)
To enable the software virtualization elements on Windows 11, use these steps:
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After you complete the steps, you can create virtual machines with the Hyper-V manager. Depending on your selection, you can install other solutions like WSL, WSA, and other platforms.
More resources
For more helpful articles, coverage, and answers to common questions about Windows 10 and Windows 11, visit the following resources:
Mauro Huculak has been a Windows How-To Expert contributor for WindowsCentral.com for nearly a decade and has over 15 years of experience writing comprehensive guides. He also has an IT background and has achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft, Cisco, VMware, and CompTIA. He has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years.
