Enabling Nested VT-x/AMD-V in VirtualBox

Nested virtualization allows you to run a virtual machine inside another virtual machine. This tutorial guides you through enabling nested VT-x/AMD-V in VirtualBox on Windows, macOS, and Linux host systems.

Prerequisites

• A host machine with VT-x/AMD-V support.
• VirtualBox installed (latest version recommended).
• A virtual machine created in VirtualBox.

Step-by-Step Guide

1. Verify Host Machine's Processor Support

• Check your processor's specifications online to ensure it supports VT-x/AMD-V.
• Windows: Disable Hyper-V (search for "Turn Windows features on or off" in the Start menu and uncheck "Hyper-V").

2. Update VirtualBox

• Download the latest version from the VirtualBox download page.
• Install or update VirtualBox by following the prompts.

3. Shut Down the Virtual Machine

• In VirtualBox, right-click on your virtual machine (replace "Your_VM_Name" with the actual name) and select "Close" > "Power Off."

4. Open Terminal or Command Prompt

• Windows: Press Windows Key + R, type cmd, and press Enter.
• macOS/Linux: Open a Terminal window.

5. Navigate to VirtualBox Directory

• Windows: Type and enter:
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cd "C:\\Program Files\\Oracle\\VirtualBox"

• macOS/Linux: No need to navigate; proceed to the next step.

6. Run the Command

• Type and enter (replace "Your_VM_Name" with the actual name of your virtual machine):
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VBoxManage modifyvm "Your_VM_Name" --nested-hw-virt on

7. Start the Virtual Machine

• Open VirtualBox.
• Select your virtual machine and click the "Start" button.

8. Verify the Setting

• With your virtual machine selected, click "Settings."
• Go to the "System" > "Processor" tab.
• Verify that the "Enable Nested VT-x/AMD-V" option is enabled.

Conclusion

You have successfully enabled nested VT-x/AMD-V for a virtual machine in VirtualBox. This feature allows you to run virtual machines inside your existing virtual machine, expanding your virtualization capabilities across different operating systems.