While running Docker Desktop you might get the following error if virtualization is not enabled in your system BIOS:

The only way to enable the virtualization functionality for your CPU and Operating System is to do so through the BIOS.

Before enabling virtualization in the BIOS, first, check if your CPU supports it by using the following steps:

  1. Press CTRL+ALT+DELETE and press “Task Manager.”
  2. Expand the window by clicking on “More details.”
  3. Click on the “Performance” tab.
  4. Locate your CPU (first row on the top).
  5. Check to see if virtualization is enabled.

Note that if your CPU is not capable of virtualization, it will not appear there or be set to “Disabled” or “Not available.”

How to Enable Virtualization in BIOS

 Note that all BIOS are different depending on the manufacturer.

Below is an example on how to enable virtualization in BIOS. However, we recommend finding the exact manufacturer for your system’s motherboard to make the necessary changes to your BIOS.

  1. Reboot your device and open BIOS by pressing the correct key.
  2. Locate the CPU options tab – In some instances, the CPU settings are hidden within an “Advanced Mode” panel. The naming should be the same for most systems; look for keywords that include “CPU.”
  3. Navigate towards the CPU configuration / CPU settings menu.
  4. You will see an option called Virtualization Technology.
  5. Depending on what brand of CPU you have: AMD or INTEL, you will either see a term such as “Intel Virtualization” or “AMD-V”. Sometimes the hardware virtualization settings are placed inside “Acceleration” Other times; you will see the word “SVM” instead.
  6. To enable Hardware Virtualization, tick the box next to it, or move the slider to “Enabled”. If your motherboard has a drop-down menu, look for arrows that expand the Enable/Disable setting.
  7. Make sure to apply any changes made before you exit the bios menu; sometimes, an option called “Save settings” appears instead.
  8. Restart your computer for the settings to take effect.

If your device crashes after enabling the virtualization setting, use the same steps and disable any hardware virtualization.