To disable virtualization in the BIOS on Windows 11, restart into your PC’s firmware settings (the modern version of the BIOS, called UEFI), find the processor virtualization option, usually named Intel Virtualization Technology (Intel VT-x) or SVM Mode (AMD-V), set it to Disabled, then save and exit. The fastest way in from Windows is Settings > System > Recovery > Advanced startup > Restart now, then Troubleshoot > Advanced options > UEFI Firmware Settings.
Before you do that, check what you actually need to turn off. Many people who search for this really want to stop a Windows feature such as Hyper-V or Memory Integrity, which can be done inside Windows without touching the firmware. Turning off virtualization in the firmware also breaks WSL, Docker Desktop, Windows Sandbox, and Memory Integrity, so read the warnings below first.
Quick Answer
- Save your work and close all apps.
- Go to Settings > System > Recovery, and next to Advanced startup select Restart now.
- Select Troubleshoot > Advanced options > UEFI Firmware Settings > Restart.
- In the firmware menus, find Intel Virtualization Technology / VT-x or SVM Mode / AMD-V (often under Advanced, CPU Configuration, or System Configuration).
- Set it to Disabled, then save and exit (often F10).
In This Guide
- Hardware virtualization vs. Windows virtualization features
- What stops working when you disable it
- Before you start
- Check whether virtualization is on
- Disable virtualization in BIOS/UEFI
- Where the setting is by PC maker
- Turn off Windows virtualization features instead
- Which option should you use?
- How to turn it back on
- Troubleshooting
- Frequently Asked Questions
Hardware Virtualization vs. Windows Virtualization Features
“Virtualization” means two related but separate things on a Windows 11 PC. Knowing the difference saves you from changing more than you need to.
Hardware virtualization (in the firmware)
This is a feature of the processor itself. Intel calls it Intel VT-x, and it may appear as Intel (VMX) Virtualization Technology. AMD calls it AMD-V, which often appears as SVM Mode or AMD-SVM. It is switched on or off in the UEFI or BIOS, the settings screen that runs before Windows starts. When it’s off, no software on the PC can use the processor’s virtualization features.
Windows features that use it
Windows has several features built on top of hardware virtualization. Each can be turned off inside Windows on its own:
- Hyper-V: Microsoft’s tool for running virtual machines (a complete computer running inside a window). Available on Windows 11 Pro, Enterprise, and Education, not Home.
- Virtual Machine Platform: a Windows optional feature that WSL 2 (Windows Subsystem for Linux) needs.
- Windows Hypervisor Platform: lets third-party virtualization apps work alongside Windows’ own hypervisor. A hypervisor is the software layer that runs virtual machines.
- Windows Sandbox: a disposable, isolated desktop for testing apps.
- Memory Integrity, also called Hypervisor-protected Code Integrity (HVCI): a security feature under Core isolation that uses hardware virtualization to block malicious low-level drivers. It’s part of virtualization-based security (VBS), which uses virtualization to wall off sensitive parts of Windows.
Turning off hardware virtualization in the firmware effectively shuts down all of these at once. Turning off a Windows feature affects only that feature.
What Stops Working When You Disable It
Before changing the firmware, be sure you can live without the following. Microsoft and other vendors document that each of these needs hardware virtualization:
- Memory Integrity and other VBS protections. Microsoft states that to use Memory Integrity, hardware virtualization must be enabled in UEFI or BIOS. Turning it off removes a layer of protection against malicious drivers.
- WSL 2. Microsoft’s WSL troubleshooting page says virtualization must be enabled in the BIOS; without it you can see error 0x80370102 (“a required feature is not installed”).
- Docker Desktop. Docker’s own requirements say both its WSL 2 and Hyper-V backends need hardware virtualization turned on in BIOS/UEFI.
- Hyper-V virtual machines and Windows Sandbox. Neither can start.
- Third-party virtual machine apps such as VirtualBox or VMware, and Android emulators, which rely on the same processor features.
A note on Android apps: the Windows Subsystem for Android, which ran Android apps on Windows 11, is no longer available. Microsoft states that starting March 5, 2025, it and the Amazon Appstore were removed from the Microsoft Store. If you still have it installed, it also depends on virtualization.
If your goal is to use VMware, VirtualBox, or an emulator that conflicts with Hyper-V, you probably want to keep hardware virtualization on and turn off the Windows features instead. Those apps need VT-x or AMD-V to run well.
Before You Start
This guide covers Windows 11 on desktop and laptop PCs with Intel or AMD processors, as of September 2026. You need:
- An administrator account on the PC.
- Your BitLocker recovery key, if the drive is encrypted. Some firmware changes can cause Windows to ask for it at the next startup. Look it up before you start.
- Your PC’s model name, so you can check the maker’s instructions if the menus differ.
- A few minutes and a charged laptop or a plugged-in power cord.
Microsoft’s own warning applies here: “Only change what you need to in the UEFI (or BIOS). Adjusting other settings might prevent you from accessing Windows.” Don’t change boot order, Secure Boot, or storage settings while you’re in there.
If your organization manages the PC (a work or school device), the firmware may be password protected and security features may be enforced by policy. In that case, ask your IT department before making changes.
Check Whether Virtualization Is On
Take a quick look before and after the change so you know it worked.
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
- Select the Performance tab, then CPU.
- Look for the Virtualization line under the graph. Expected result: It reads Enabled or Disabled.
You can also press Windows + R, type msinfo32, and press Enter to open System Information. On the System Summary page, look at the bottom of the list. If you see a line saying a hypervisor has been detected, a Windows virtualization feature such as Hyper-V or VBS is currently running.
How to Disable Virtualization in BIOS/UEFI on Windows 11
These steps use Windows 11’s built-in route to the firmware, which works on most modern PCs.
- Save your work. Close all apps; the PC will restart.
- Open Recovery settings. Select Start > Settings > System > Recovery.
- Start Advanced startup. Next to Advanced startup, select Restart now, then confirm. Expected result: The PC restarts to a blue Choose an option screen.
- Go to the firmware. Select Troubleshoot > Advanced options > UEFI Firmware Settings (Microsoft’s page calls it UEFI Settings), then Restart. Expected result: Your PC maker’s firmware setup screen opens.
- Find the virtualization option. Look in tabs or menus named Advanced, CPU Configuration, Processor, Security, or System Configuration. The setting is usually called Intel Virtualization Technology, Intel VT-x, VMX, SVM Mode, AMD-V, or simply Virtualization. See the table in the next section for common locations.
- Set it to Disabled. Select the option and change it from Enabled to Disabled. If you see a separate VT-d or IOMMU setting (used for passing devices to virtual machines), you can leave it alone unless you have a specific reason to change it.
- Save and exit. Choose Save Changes and Exit or Save & Exit. On many PCs, F10 does this. Confirm with Yes if asked. Expected result: The PC restarts into Windows.
- Confirm the change. Open Task Manager > Performance > CPU and check that Virtualization now reads Disabled.
Microsoft’s full reference, including links to each PC maker’s instructions, is on its Enable Virtualization on Windows page. The same steps apply for disabling; you just choose Disabled instead of Enabled.
Getting around the firmware screen
Firmware screens look different on every PC. Some have a simple “EZ Mode” or basic view with an option to switch to an Advanced Mode (ASUS uses F7 for this). Many respond to the mouse, but on others you move with the arrow keys, press Enter to open a menu or change a value, and press Esc to go back. A help bar along the bottom or side of the screen usually lists the keys for your model, including the one for saving. If you change something by mistake, exit without saving (often an option called Discard Changes and Exit) and start again.
If you don’t see UEFI Firmware Settings
Some older PCs use legacy BIOS mode and don’t show this option. In that case, restart the PC and press the maker’s setup key repeatedly as soon as it powers on. Common keys are F2, F10, F1, Del, or Esc; the correct key is often shown briefly on the startup screen.
Where the Setting Is by PC Maker
Menus differ by model and firmware version, so treat this as a starting point and check your maker’s page for your exact model.
| Maker | Setup key | Where to look | Setting name |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dell | F2 at the Dell logo | Advanced > Virtualization, or Virtualization Support > Virtualization | Virtualization (plus VT for Direct I/O) |
| ASUS | Del or F2; F7 for Advanced Mode | Advanced > CPU Configuration | Intel (VMX) Virtualization Technology, or SVM Mode on AMD |
| Acer | F2 | Advanced page (press Ctrl + S if hidden) | Intel VTX, or AMD-SVM |
| HP | Usually F10 (Esc opens a startup menu) | Often System Configuration or Advanced | Virtualization Technology (VTx) |
| Lenovo | Usually F1 or F2 (varies by model) | Often Configuration, Security, or Advanced > CPU Setup | Intel Virtualization Technology or AMD SVM |
| Microsoft Surface | See Surface support for your model | Varies by model | Microsoft says virtualization is already enabled on Surface devices; many models have no toggle |
Details from the makers’ own pages:
- Dell notes that some newer models hide advanced options; press Ctrl + Alt + S to reveal them. Dell also says that if no virtualization option appears in the BIOS, that computer doesn’t support it. See Dell’s virtualization article.
- ASUS says Intel virtualization is enabled by default on its Intel motherboards and lives under Advanced > CPU Configuration.
- Acer says to fully power off first, then press F2 at power-on, and F10 to save and exit.
- HP and Lenovo menus vary more between models. The keys and locations above are the common ones; check your model’s support page if yours differ.
Turn Off Windows Virtualization Features Instead
If you want to stop Hyper-V, VBS, or WSL without disabling the processor feature, do it from Windows. This is easier to undo and keeps other apps working.
Turn off Hyper-V and related optional features
- Press Windows + R, type optionalfeatures, and press Enter. Expected result: The Windows Features window opens (you can also search Start for “Turn Windows features on or off”).
- Clear the check boxes for the features you don’t want, such as Hyper-V, Virtual Machine Platform, Windows Hypervisor Platform, or Windows Sandbox. Only clear Virtual Machine Platform if you don’t use WSL 2 or Docker Desktop.
- Select OK and restart when prompted.
Hyper-V appears only on Pro, Enterprise, and Education editions. For a full walkthrough, see our guide on how to disable Hyper-V in Windows 11.
Turn off Memory Integrity
Before you do this, know that Memory Integrity protects Windows against malicious drivers. Turn it off only if a specific app or driver requires it, and consider turning it back on later.
- Open Windows Security from the Start menu.
- Select Device security > Core isolation details.
- Switch Memory integrity to Off, then restart.
Microsoft describes this setting on its Device protection in Windows Security page. To switch it back on later, see how to enable Memory Integrity in Windows 11.
Stop the Windows hypervisor from loading
Advanced users sometimes stop Windows’ hypervisor from starting at boot so another virtualization app can use the processor directly. Open Terminal (Admin) or Command Prompt as administrator and run bcdedit /set hypervisorlaunchtype off, then restart. To undo it, run bcdedit /set hypervisorlaunchtype auto and restart. Microsoft’s WSL troubleshooting page documents the auto setting, because WSL 2 won’t run while the hypervisor is off.
Which Option Should You Use?
| Your goal | Best option |
|---|---|
| Run VMware, VirtualBox, or an emulator that clashes with Hyper-V | Keep firmware virtualization on; turn off Hyper-V, Virtual Machine Platform, and possibly Memory Integrity |
| A game or anti-cheat tool asks you to turn off VBS or Memory Integrity | Turn off Memory Integrity in Windows Security; leave the firmware alone |
| An app, exam tool, or employer requires hardware virtualization to be fully off | Disable Intel VT-x or AMD-V in the firmware |
| Troubleshooting a crash you think is virtualization related | Try the Windows feature first; it’s quicker to reverse |
| You use WSL, Docker Desktop, or Windows Sandbox | Don’t disable it; these need virtualization |
How to Turn It Back On
Repeat the firmware steps above and set the option back to Enabled, then save and exit. After Windows starts, turn on any Windows features you need again (for example, Virtual Machine Platform for WSL 2) and restart. Our guide on how to enable virtualization in Windows 11 covers that path.
Troubleshooting
I can’t find a virtualization option in the firmware
It may be on a different tab (check Advanced, CPU Configuration, Security, and System Configuration) or hidden. Dell and Acer both document key combinations that reveal hidden settings. Some PCs, including many Surface models, simply don’t offer a toggle. Dell notes that if no option exists, the computer doesn’t support changing it.
Task Manager still says Virtualization: Enabled
Make sure you saved before exiting; leaving without saving discards changes. Fully shut down and start the PC again, then recheck. If the firmware shows Disabled but Windows still reports it on, check your maker’s support page for a firmware update.
WSL shows error 0x80370102 or Docker won’t start
That’s expected after disabling hardware virtualization. Turn it back on in the firmware, make sure Virtual Machine Platform is enabled in Windows Features, and confirm the hypervisor launch type is set to auto.
Memory Integrity turned itself back on
Windows can re-enable security features after some updates, and organizations can enforce them through policy. Recheck Core isolation details after major updates. On a work or school PC, ask your IT department rather than trying to override their settings.
VirtualBox or VMware says VT-x or AMD-V isn’t available
If you disabled hardware virtualization, that message is the direct result; re-enable it in the firmware. If virtualization is enabled but the app still complains, Windows’ own hypervisor may be holding the processor features. Turn off Hyper-V, Windows Sandbox, and Memory Integrity, or stop the hypervisor from loading with the bcdedit command above, then restart and try again. Newer versions of these apps can often run alongside Hyper-V, so updating the app is also worth trying.
Windows asks for a BitLocker recovery key after the change
Enter the key you looked up before starting. On many personal PCs it’s backed up to your Microsoft account; on work PCs, your IT department may have it. After Windows starts, it should stop asking on later restarts.
The PC won’t start after I changed settings
Go back into the firmware and choose the option to load defaults (often labeled Load Setup Defaults, Load Optimized Defaults, or similar), then save and exit. Avoid deleting system files or policy files to force VBS off; those methods can leave Windows unable to boot.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it safe to disable virtualization in the BIOS?
It won’t harm the hardware, and you can turn it back on anytime. The trade-off is that apps and security features that depend on it stop working, including Memory Integrity, WSL 2, Docker Desktop, and virtual machines.
Will disabling virtualization make games faster?
Games are more often affected by VBS and Memory Integrity than by the firmware setting itself. If a game or its anti-cheat tool asks you to turn off VBS, turning off Memory Integrity in Windows Security is usually the targeted fix, though it reduces protection.
What’s the difference between VT-x and VT-d?
VT-x is Intel’s processor virtualization, the main setting this guide covers. VT-d lets virtual machines use hardware devices directly. AMD’s equivalents are AMD-V (SVM) and IOMMU.
Can I disable virtualization without going into the BIOS?
You can’t turn off the processor feature from Windows, but you can turn off every Windows feature that uses it: Hyper-V, Virtual Machine Platform, Windows Sandbox, and Memory Integrity, plus stop the hypervisor from loading with bcdedit.
Does disabling virtualization affect Windows 11 Home?
Yes, the same way. Home doesn’t include Hyper-V, but it does include Memory Integrity and Virtual Machine Platform, which rely on virtualization.
Does disabling virtualization make my PC more secure?
Generally no. The processor feature itself isn’t a common attack path for home users, and turning it off removes Memory Integrity and other virtualization-based protections that Windows uses to block malicious drivers. Only disable it when a specific app or requirement calls for it.
Why is virtualization enabled by default?
Modern Windows security features and developer tools rely on it, so many PC makers ship with it on. ASUS, for example, says it’s enabled by default on its Intel motherboards.
Summary
- Decide whether you need the firmware change or just a Windows feature turned off.
- Open Settings > System > Recovery > Advanced startup > Restart now.
- Go to Troubleshoot > Advanced options > UEFI Firmware Settings > Restart.
- Set Intel VT-x or AMD-V (SVM Mode) to Disabled, then save and exit.
- Confirm in Task Manager, and expect WSL, Docker, Sandbox, and Memory Integrity to stop working.
Next step: open Task Manager, check the Virtualization line, and decide from the table above whether a Windows feature change will do the job before you restart into the firmware.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.