Hardware Virtualization
About Virtualization
Most modern CPU’s support hardware virtualization, which makes it easier for multiple operating systems to share processor resources safely and efficiently. This is required to run a 64-bit guest OS, which is what our VM image is built on. AMD and Intel introduced their respective virtualization solutions in 2006, so unless you have an exceptionally low-end CPU (like Intel Atom) or a very old computer, it probably supports it, although it may be disabled. CPUs that do not support virtualization are probably too weak to run a VM anyway and you should look at other options for development. If your computer has virtualization disabled, or doesn’t support it at all, VirtualBox will happily import the machine but will not be able to run it.
Is it enabled?
Choose a virtualization program to use:
Download, install, and run VirtualBox (recommended)
At the top of the window, click “New” (we won’t actually create a new VM, but this is an easy way to test for virtualization support)
Open the “Version” drop-down menu and look at the options available:
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If you only see 32-bit options, then virtualization is not enabled - continue to the
next section and we’ll see if we can enable it

Download, install, and run VMWare (Note: these instructions are based on VMWare Player and may be slightly different for other VMware products)
Click “Create new Virtual Machine” (we won’t actually create a new VM, but this is an easy way to test for virtualization support)
If it asks about the “Virtual Machine Configuration”, just accept the default and click Next
Select “I will install the
OS later” and click Next
Open the “Version” drop-down menu and look at the options available:
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If you do not see any “x64” options, then virtualization is not enabled - continue to the
next section and we’ll see if we can enable it
Verify Compatibility
Find your CPU model number (pick your
OS)
Windows 10
Press Windows Key + E to open Windows Explorer
On the left, right-click on “This PC” or “Computer” and select “Properties”
Under the “System” category, it will have your processor model listed
For example, this laptop has an Intel Core i5-5200U
Make note of this model and continue to Step 2
Mac
In typical Apple fashion, Mac does not like to publicize the specific processor model they use in their machines. So we will use a command line tool to get the exact model
Open Terminal
The easiest way to open it is to press Command+Space (to open Spotlight), type “terminal,” and press Return
Enter this command and press Enter/Return:
sysctl -n machdep.cpu.brand_string
Make note of this model and continue to Step 2
Linux
Due to the vast variation in desktop layouts, the most reliable method for Linux is to use the command line
Open Terminal
On some Linux distros (including Ubuntu), you can do this with Ctrl+Alt+T
On others, you may be able to search the Start Menu equivalent for the terminal program
Enter this command and press Enter/Return:
cat /proc/cpuinfo | grep 'model name' | uniq
Make note of this model and continue to Step 2
Search for your CPU model online (pick your CPU brand)
Intel
Look for a matching result from “ark.intel.com” and open it
Press Ctrl+F and type “virtual” - it should highlight a line that says “Intel Virtualization Technology (VT-x)”
AMD
Unfortunately, AMD does not have an online archive of product specifications like Intel does. So you will probably need to look for a third party site like “cpuworld.com”
Press Ctrl+F and type “virtual”
If it finds a line saying “AMD-V / AMD Virtualization technology” under “Features,” then it supports this feature and we’ll just need to enable it - proceed to the
next section to enable this feature
If it does not find such a line, then your processor doesn’t support virtualization and will not support this virtual machine image - look at other options for development
Enable hardware virtualization
We will need to enable hardware virtualization from the BIOS / UEFI.
While in the BIOS / UEFI, DO NOT change any other settings unless you know what you’re doing. Changing the wrong setting could prevent your PC from starting up properly. If you think you may have accidentally changed an unwanted setting, exit the BIOS / UEFI without saving changes and start again.
Pick your OS for specific instructions
Windows 8+
Open the Start Menu, then the Power Menu
Hold Shift and click on “Restart”
It will take a moment to load, then give you some advanced restart options
Select Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > UEFI Firmware Settings > Restart
Use the keyboard / mouse to navigate the interface and look for a “Virtualization,” “AMD-V,” or “VT-x” option
Some newer PC’s have UEFI layouts that support mouse input. Give it a go and see if it works on yours
Somewhere on the screen, you should have some instructions explaining how to navigate the menus
The layout of the UEFI will depend on your computer manufacturer
For example, on some Dell laptops, the “Virtualization” option is under the “Advance” tab
Once you have enabled the virtualization option, use the specified key or onscreen button to save and exit
Once it reboots, check for the 64-bit option again in the
"Is it enabled?" section
If you cannot enter the BIOS / UEFI using this method, try the instructions listed for Windows 7
If this procedure gives you any trouble, look online for specific assistance for your computer
Windows 10 / Linux
The procedure to access the BIOS / UEFI depends on your computer model
Typically, it will be accessed using one of the F-keys during startup
For example, most Dell PC’s use F2
The appropriate key may be displayed on your screen while your computer starts up
Restart your PC
While it’s starting up (as soon as you see your manufacturer’s logo):
If you know the BIOS key, press it (it only needs to be pressed once but you might want to tap it repeatedly to ensure it detects it)
If you don’t know which button to press, look for it on screen while your PC is starting up (it may say “BIOS,” UEFI,” or “Setup”) and start tapping it
If you don’t see it while it’s starting up, look it up online with your computer’s model number
If you missed it and it started up Windows or Linux, reboot and try again
Once you are in the BIOS / UEFI, use the keyboard to navigate the interface and look for a “Virtualization,” “AMD-V,” or “VT-x” option
Some newer PC’s have UEFI layouts that support mouse input. Give it a go and see if it works on yours
Somewhere on the screen, you should have some instructions explaining how to navigate the menus
The layout of the UEFI will depend on your computer manufacturer
For example, on some Dell laptops, the “Virtualization” option is under the “Advance” tab
Once you have enabled the virtualization option, use the specified key or onscreen button to save and exit
Once it reboots, check for the 64-bit option again (“Is it enabled?” section)
Mac
Macs do not have a BIOS / UEFI available to the user like a PC does; however, virtualization is usually enabled by default. If it isn’t, it could be due to out-of-date software
Install any available software updates from the App Store, restart, and check for the 64-bit option again in the
"Is it enabled?" section
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