If you're using BlueStacks 5, this article might not be relevant. You can view the BlueStacks 5 article for this by clicking here.
How will this help?
This article will guide you through the process of enabling Virtualization on Windows 10.
However, if you want to learn how to enable it on Windows 7, 8 or 8.1, click on the links below.
NOTE: If you cannot find UEFI Firmware Settings, as shown in the video above, click here for an alternate way to get Virtualization enabled.
Table of Contents
1. Check if Virtualization is enabled/disabled on your PC.
Before enabling Virtualization, you can check whether it is enabled or disabled through the Task Manager. The steps below will teach you how to do this.
1. Open up the Task Manager by pressing the Ctrl + Shift + Esc keys. Next, go to the Performance tab.
2. Here, you will find information about Virtualization on your PC. If it says Enabled, then Virtualization is turned on. However, if it says Disabled, then Virtualization is turned off.
2. Check if Virtualization is supported on your CPU.
If the CPU inside of your PC has Hardware-Assisted Virtualization, then your PC will support Virtualization. In order to learn if your PC supports virtualization, click on one of the links below, based on your CPU.
Virtualization support on Intel CPU.
1. Download and install the Intel Processor Identification utility from their official website.
2. Once it is installed, launch it on your PC.
3. Now, click on the CPU Technologies tab, as shown below.
4. A drop-down menu will appear. If there is a tick-mark before "Intel® Virtualization Technology", then Virtualization is supported on your PC.
To learn the next steps for the process of enabling Virtualization, click here.
Virtualization support on AMD CPU.
1. Download the AMD-V Detection Utility by clicking here.
2. Now, right-click on the ZIP file for the utility and select Extract All.
3. Once it's extracted, right-click on the .exe file for the AMD-V Detection Utility and select Run as administrator.
4. You will now be notified about the status of Virtualization on your PC. For example, the image below shows that the PC supports Virtualization, but it is not yet enabled.
3. Enter BIOS to check if Virtualization is enabled.
BIOS (Basic Input Output System) is used for performing hardware initialization and also lets you control various attributes and functions in your PC.
By entering your PC's BIOS settings, you can control the Virtualization process and enable or disable it.
The steps below will teach you how to enter BIOS in Windows 10.
1. Boot up your computer and click on the Start button, as shown below.
2. The Start menu will now pop open. Here, click on the Settings button.
3. The Windows Settings will appear on your computer. Here, open the Update & Security settings.
4. Now, go to the Recovery tab and click on Restart now, as shown below.
5. You will now be presented with 4 options to choose from. Click on Troubleshoot.
6. Next, click on Advanced Options.
7. Within the Advanced options, select UEFI Firmware Settings, as shown below.
NOTE: If you don't see UEFI Firmware Settings then disable Fast Startup or refer to this alternate method for accessing your BIOS.
8. You will now be prompted to restart your machine. Click on Restart Now.
After this step, you will enter the BIOS settings on your PC. To learn how to enable Virtualization, refer to the section below.
4. Enable Virtualization in your BIOS.
Virtualization allows a single processor to run different operating systems simultaneously and it is a requisite for running BlueStacks efficiently.
Once you have entered the BIOS settings in your PC, the steps for enabling virtualization will vary according to the CPU you have. Based on the CPU you have in your PC, click on one of the links below.
Enabling Virtualization in BIOS for Intel CPU.
NOTE: The layout of BIOS Settings can also vary on various other factors such as your motherboard, chipset, computer model and OEM.
1. After entering the BIOS settings, press the F7 key or click on the Advanced Mode button, as shown below.
2. Now, open the Advanced tab, as shown below.
3. Here, you will be presented with various options. Select CPU Configuration.
4. To enable Virtualization, click on Disabled next to "Intel Virtualization Technology" and change it to Enabled.
5. Lastly, click on Exit and select "Save changes & reset".
NOTE: The nomenclature may vary depending on your PC model, but in all cases make sure to save before exiting.
Enabling Virtualization in BIOS for AMD CPU.
NOTE: The layout of BIOS Settings can also vary on various other factors such as your motherboard, chipset, computer model and OEM.
1. Within the BIOS settings, press the F7 key or click on the Advanced Mode option, as shown below.
2. Now, navigate to the Advanced tab.
3. Find and select CPU configuration.
4. To enable Virtualization, open the drop-down menu next to "SVM Mode" and choose Enabled.
5. Next, click on Exit.
6. You will now be asked to save your changes. Click on OK to apply the changes you have made to BIOS settings.
Thank you for choosing BlueStacks, we hope you enjoy using it. If you have any further questions, please contact us at support@bluestacks.com. Happy Gaming!
Last updated on October 8, 2020.