Enable Hardware Virtualization in BIOS/UEFI

WSL2 and Docker Desktop both require hardware virtualization at the firmware level. If it is disabled, Docker Desktop shows Virtualization support not detected and the engine never starts. Enable it before continuing with the next steps.

Check Whether Virtualization Is Already Enabled (Windows)

Option A — Task Manager (easiest):

1. Press Ctrl+Shift+Esc to open Task Manager

2. Open the Performance tab → click CPU

3. At the bottom-right, look for Virtualization:

   • Enabled — you are good; skip to the next page (Enable WSL2)
   • Disabled — continue below to enable it in BIOS/UEFI

Option B — PowerShell:

systeminfo | findstr /i "Virtualization"

Expected:

Virtualization Enabled In Firmware: Yes

If the line shows No, enable virtualization in BIOS/UEFI (steps below).

Enter BIOS/UEFI Setup

BIOS menus differ by manufacturer and model. Use the steps that match your PC; the goal is the same on all systems: turn on Intel VT-x or AMD-V.

1. Save your work and close open applications

2. Restart the PC

3. Immediately press the setup key shown on the boot splash screen (often only shown for 1–2 seconds). Common keys:

   Manufacturer / type	Typical setup key
   Dell	F2 or F12
   HP	F10 or Esc then F10
   Lenovo (ThinkPad, IdeaPad)	F1 or F2
   ASUS	F2 or Del
   Acer	F2 or Del
   MSI	Del
   Microsoft Surface	Hold Volume Up while pressing the power button
   Generic / unknown	Del, F2, F10, or F12 — try the key printed on screen

4. If Windows starts normally, restart again and press the key earlier and repeatedly until the firmware menu appears

Windows 11 shortcut (may not work on all PCs): Settings → System → Recovery → Advanced startup → Restart now → Troubleshoot → Advanced options → UEFI Firmware Settings → Restart

Find and Enable the Virtualization Setting

Look in menus such as Advanced, CPU Configuration, Security, System Configuration, or Chipset. Setting names vary:

CPU	Common setting names
Intel	Intel Virtualization Technology, Intel VT-x, Virtualization Technology (VTx)
AMD	AMD-V, SVM Mode, Secure Virtual Machine

1. Set the virtualization option to Enabled
2. Save and exit — usually F10 → Yes, or Save Changes and Reset
3. Let Windows boot normally

Optional related settings: Some firmware also lists VT-d (Intel) or AMD IOMMU — not required for this guide, but safe to enable if present. On a few laptops, a Secure Boot or corporate MDM policy can block virtualization; if the setting is missing or greyed out, check with your IT team.

Verify After Reboot

Repeat the Task Manager check (Performance → CPU → Virtualization: Enabled) or run systeminfo again. Only continue to the next step when firmware virtualization is Enabled.