Virtualization

As we will use a VM, you need to enable virtualization. It is usually done in your systems UEFI, EFI, or BIOS; look for settings labelled Virtualization, Virtualization Technology, VT-x, VT-d, Extended Page Tables, EPT, Vanderpool, AMD-V, SVM, SVM Mode, VMX, etc.

Check if Virtualization is Enabled

You can check if virtualization is enabled following the instructions below for your operating system.

Ubuntu

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For Ubuntu specifically, you can install cpu-checker. Otherwise, you can follow the instructions for Linux below.

Run the command:

sudo apt install cpu-checker -y
kvm-ok

If you see the output:

KVM acceleration can be used

then virtualization should be enabled.

Linux

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Run the command:

lscpu | grep "Virtualization"

If you see output similar such as:

Virtualization: AMD-V

on AMD platform or

Virtualization: VT-x

on Intel platform, then virtualization should be enabled.

If the above did not work you can also try:

grep --color -E "vmx|svm" /proc/cpuinfo

if you see output then virtualization should be enabled.

Apple silicon Mac

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Should be enabled.

Intel Mac

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Run the command:

sysctl -a | grep -o VMX

If you see VMX in the output then it should be enabled.

Windows

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Run the command:

systeminfo | findstr /i "virtualization"

If you see output such as

Virtualization Enabled In Firmware: Yes

then it should be enabled.

How to Enable Virtualization

If virtualization is not enabled on your computer, please follow the instructions below for your OS to enable it. You may need to ask IT support at your school to allow you to enable it.

NOTE: Enable AMD IOMMU or Intel VT-d, if the options are available. AMD IOMMU and Intel VT-d are used for PCI device assignment.

Linux

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It differs depending on your computer. Below we link to some of the most popular brands instructions.

Acer

How to Enable Virtualization Technology on Acer Products

Asus

AMD CPU [Notebook] How to enable or disable AMD Virtualization (AMD-V™) technology?

Intel CPU (laptop) [Notebook] How to enable or disable Intel® Virtualization Technology (VT-x)?

Intel CPU (desktop) [Motherboard] How to enable Intel(VMX) Virtualization Technology in the BIOS

Dell

How To Enable or Disable Hardware Virtualization on Dell Computers

HP

HP PCs - Enable Virtualization Technology in the BIOS

Lenovo

How to enable Virtualization Technology on Lenovo PC computers

Microsoft

Virtualization is already enabled on Surface devices.

Other

If your PC manufacturer is not listed, you will need to find the instructions on your own. They should (hopefully be on their website).

macOS

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Could only find information saying it should be enabled. Please let us know if this was not the case for you so we can update this.

Windows

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Please see Microsoft's instructions.