How to Turn On Hardware Virtualization (VT) in Windows 10

Hardware virtualization, often called VT, lets your processor run virtual machines, Windows Sandbox, WSL 2 and many Android emulators efficiently. Intel calls it Intel Virtualization Technology (VT-x); AMD calls it AMD-V, usually shown as SVM Mode in firmware. Most modern CPUs support it, but it is sometimes switched off. On Windows 10 you check its status in Task Manager and turn it on in the PC’s UEFI or BIOS setup.

Note: Windows 10 reached end of support on October 14, 2025. Consumer Extended Security Updates (ESU) now run until October 12, 2027. These steps still work on Windows 10, but upgrading to Windows 11 is the long-term way to keep getting security fixes.

Quick Answer

Open Task Manager, go to Performance, CPU, and check Virtualization. If it says Disabled, restart into firmware setup, enable Intel Virtualization Technology (VT-x) or AMD SVM Mode, save, and restart.

Step 1: Check Whether VT Is Already On

1. Press Ctrl+Shift+Esc to open Task Manager (click More details if it opens small).
2. Open the Performance tab and select CPU.
3. Look at the Virtualization line under the graph. Enabled means you are done; Disabled means you need to change a firmware setting.

For other ways to check, see how to check if virtualization is enabled in Windows 10.

Step 2: Open UEFI Firmware Settings

1. Save your work and close apps.
2. Open Settings, Update & Security, Recovery.
3. Under Advanced startup, click Restart now.
4. Choose Troubleshoot, Advanced options, UEFI Firmware Settings, then Restart.

The PC restarts straight into its firmware setup, so you don’t need to time a key press. If UEFI Firmware Settings is missing, the PC uses older BIOS; restart and press the setup key shown on screen, often F2, F10, Del or Esc. See enabling virtualization without pressing a BIOS key.

Step 3: Turn On the Virtualization Setting

1. Look under menus named Advanced, CPU Configuration, Processor, Security or System Configuration; the location varies by manufacturer.
2. Find Intel Virtualization Technology (or VT-x) on Intel PCs, or SVM Mode (or AMD-V) on AMD PCs.
3. Set it to Enabled.
4. Save and exit, usually with F10, and confirm.
5. After Windows starts, check Task Manager again; it should now say Enabled.

VT-x vs. VT-d

VT-x is the CPU virtualization needed for virtual machines and emulators. Intel VT-d (or AMD IOMMU) is a separate feature for passing hardware devices directly to virtual machines. Most home users only need VT-x or SVM. Don’t enable every similarly named option unless your software or administrator asks for it.

If an Emulator Still Says VT Is Disabled

• Fully shut down and restart after the firmware change, then confirm Task Manager shows Enabled.
• Check the emulator’s current guidance on Hyper-V, Virtual Machine Platform and Windows Hypervisor Platform. Many emulators now work alongside Hyper-V when the right Windows feature is turned on.
• Don’t switch off Windows security features such as Memory Integrity at random; follow the app’s official instructions.
• Update the emulator; older versions often have virtualization detection problems.

Older PCs

If there is no virtualization option at all, check your exact CPU on the manufacturer’s site; some older or low-end processors lack the feature, and some systems lock it. Updating the BIOS from the PC maker’s support page occasionally adds the option. Because Windows 10 is past standard support, replacing very old hardware may be more worthwhile than extensive troubleshooting.

Does VT Make Windows Faster?

No. Enabling virtualization doesn’t speed up ordinary apps. It simply lets virtualization software use the processor’s built-in features, which makes virtual machines and emulators run much faster and more smoothly.

Summary

1. Check Virtualization in Task Manager.
2. Restart into UEFI Firmware Settings from Advanced startup.
3. Enable Intel VT-x or AMD SVM Mode.
4. Save, restart and confirm it shows Enabled.

Using Windows 11? See how to enable virtualization in Windows 11.