64-bit Windows guest in VirtualBox impossible without VT-x support?

As an IT administrator, one of the most important tasks is to ensure that the environment is up to date with the latest technology and software. In this regard, virtualization is becoming increasingly popular in the IT industry, with many businesses now using it to create multiple virtual machines (VMs) within a single physical host.

VirtualBox is one of the most popular virtualization solutions available, as it is free and open source, and is cross-platform. However, one of the common issues that IT administrators face when using VirtualBox is the inability to create a 64-bit Windows guest VM, due to the lack of Virtualization Technology (VT-x) support.

VT-x is a set of hardware-based virtualization features that are used to improve the performance and security of virtual machines. It enables the virtualization of guest operating systems, allowing multiple VMs to run on the same physical host. In order for a 64-bit Windows guest VM to be created in VirtualBox, the host must support VT-x.

Unfortunately, not all hardware platforms have VT-x support. In some cases, only 32-bit Windows guests are supported. So, how can IT administrators create a 64-bit Windows guest VM in VirtualBox without VT-x support?

The answer is to use the Intel Processor Identification Utility. This utility is designed to identify the processor’s capabilities, including support for VT-x. If the processor does not support VT-x, then the user can use the utility to enable virtualization on the host.

Once virtualization is enabled, the user can then create a 64-bit Windows guest VM in VirtualBox. The process is simple and straightforward. The user simply needs to select ‘New’ from the VirtualBox menu, enter the name and operating system of the VM, and then select ‘64-bit’ from the drop-down menu.

The utility also allows users to enable and disable virtualization on their host machine. This can be done by selecting the ‘Advanced’ tab in the utility and then selecting the ‘Enable/Disable VT-x’ option. This will enable the user to create a 64-bit Windows guest VM even if the host does not have VT-x support.

In summary, IT administrators can use the Intel Processor Identification Utility to enable virtualization on their host machine, allowing them to create a 64-bit Windows guest VM in VirtualBox without VT-x support. This is a simple and straightforward solution that can help IT administrators to keep their environments up to date with the latest technology.