Is Your CPU / Processor Virtualization Compatible (For Hyper-V)?
2011-02-15 Updated
2008-10-15 Initial Post
Per this MS page on 2010-02-07, to run Hyper-V “a 64-bit system with hardware-assisted virtualization enabled and data execution prevention (DEP) is required.”
That means you need these three features:
1.) 64-bit capability.
2.) Hardware-assisted virtualization. AMD refers to this as AMD-V (AMD Virtuatilization). Intel refers to it as Intel VT (Intel Virtualization Technology).
3.) DEP (Data Execution Prevention). AMD refers to this as NX (No Execute Bit) Flag. Intel refers to it as Execute Disable Bit.
So how can you easily find out if your CPU is compatible with Hyper-V? Below are two utilities you can run. First, update your computer’s BIOS to the latest firmware. Even if the CPU has the Hyper-V compatible features, it might not work properly with older BIOS firmware. You might also need to enable the virtualization option within the BIOS.
1.) SecurAble utility from http://www.grc.com/securable.htm.
2.) If you have an AMD processor, try the AMD Virtualization Technology and Microsoft Hyper-V System Compatibility Check Utility.
