The “Sorry, this application cannot run under a Virtual Machine” error message in Windows 11 can be quite frustrating for users who encounter it. While the error typically occurs when running a game that does not support a virtual machine environment, it can also appear in other situations. This article provides a comprehensive look at the causes of this error and offers detailed solutions to resolve it.
Also see: Force App or Game to Use Dedicated GPU or Integrated Graphics
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Understanding the “Sorry, this application cannot run under a Virtual Machine” error
When an application or game detects virtualization technologies on your computer, it may refuse to run and display the “this application cannot run under a virtual machine” error message. This is often because the application is designed to protect its intellectual property or ensure optimal performance by preventing users from running it in a virtual machine.
Virtualization can be provided by various features and programs, including:
- Hyper-V, a Windows-native virtualization technology
- Third-party virtualization programs like VMware or VirtualBox
- Antivirus software that utilizes virtualization to protect the system
Related resource: How to Close Virtual Desktop in Windows 11
Troubleshooting and resolving the error
To resolve the “Sorry, this application cannot run under a Virtual Machine” error in Windows 11, follow these detailed steps:
Check for running virtual machines
Before disabling any virtualization features, make sure no virtual machines are currently running on your computer. Close any active instances of VMware, VirtualBox, or other virtualization software.
Disable third-party antivirus software
Some antivirus programs use virtualization technologies that may cause the error. Temporarily disable your antivirus software to see if it resolves the issue. If the problem persists, proceed to the next steps.
Investigate Hyper-V status
Open the Command Prompt as administrator by clicking the Start button, typing “cmd” in the search bar, and right-clicking on the “Command Prompt” search result. Choose “Run as administrator.” Click “Yes” when prompted by the User Account Control dialog.
Type systeminfo in the Command Prompt and press Enter. Scroll down to the “Hyper-V Requirements” section to see if a hypervisor is detected.
Disable Hyper-V
If a hypervisor is detected, enter the command bcdedit /set {current} hypervisorlaunchtype off and press Enter to disable Hyper-V. Restart your computer for the changes to take effect.
Disable additional virtualization features
If the error persists, open the Control Panel by typing “Control Panel” in the search bar and selecting it. Navigate to Programs and Features > Turn Windows features on or off.
Uncheck any features related to virtualization, such as “Windows Sandbox,” “Windows Hypervisor Platform,” or “Virtual Machine Platform.” Restart your computer again for the changes to take effect.
Linked issue: Turn Windows Features On or Off: “Please wait…”
Re-enabling Virtualization Features
If you need to re-enable virtualization features after resolving the error, follow these steps:
Enable Hyper-V
Open the Command Prompt as administrator by pressing Win + X and choosing Windows Terminal (Admin). Click “Yes” when prompted by the User Account Control dialog. Enter the command bcdedit /set {current} hypervisorlaunchtype auto and press Enter to enable Hyper-V.
Restart your computer
Reboot your computer for the changes to take effect.
Useful tip: How to Allocate More RAM to a Game in Windows 11 or 10
Enable additional virtualization features
If you disabled other virtualization features, open the Control Panel, navigate to Programs and Features > Turn Windows features on or off, and re-enable the features you disabled earlier.
Re-enable antivirus software
If you disabled your antivirus software earlier, remember to re-enable it to ensure your system remains protected against potential threats. If the antivirus software was the cause of the issue, consider looking for an alternative solution that does not use virtualization technologies or contact the software vendor for support.
Alternative solutions
If the aforementioned steps do not resolve the issue, you can try the following alternative solutions:
Run the application in compatibility mode
Some applications may have compatibility issues with Windows 11. To run the application in compatibility mode, right-click on the application’s executable file or shortcut, select “Properties,” and switch to the “Compatibility” tab. Check the box next to “Run this program in compatibility mode for,” and select a previous version of Windows, such as Windows 10 or Windows 8. Apply the changes and try running the application again.
Update graphics drivers
Outdated or incompatible graphics drivers can cause issues with certain applications. Ensure that your graphics drivers are up to date by visiting your graphics card manufacturer’s website or using the built-in Windows Update feature.
Contact the application’s or game’s support team
If none of the suggested solutions work, consider reaching out to the application’s support team for assistance. They may be aware of the issue and can provide you with a fix or workaround specific to the application.
Key takeaways
The “Sorry, this application cannot run under a Virtual Machine” error in Windows 11 can be a challenging issue to resolve, as it involves various virtualization technologies and potential compatibility issues. By carefully following the troubleshooting steps and alternative solutions provided in this article, users should be able to identify the root cause of the problem and implement a suitable solution.
It is important to keep in mind that virtualization technologies are continuously evolving and becoming more integrated with modern operating systems. As a result, developers may need to adapt their applications to better accommodate these changes, while users should stay informed about the latest advancements in virtualization and compatibility of games and applications.
