How to use the new ‘Virtual Workspaces’ settings in Windows 11 to quickly enable (or disable) virtualization features

Microsoft has introduced a significant enhancement to Windows 11 with the addition of a “Virtual Workspaces” page within the Settings app. This new feature allows users to manage a variety of virtualization capabilities seamlessly, marking a continued effort by the tech giant to integrate legacy functionalities into a more user-friendly interface. The latest cumulative update for Windows 11 has brought forth a refreshed version of the Settings app, making it easier for users to navigate and utilize these advanced features.

<h2 class="article-bodysection” id=”section-how-to-enable-virtualization-features-on-windows-11″>How to enable virtualization features on Windows 11

To activate the virtualization features via the Virtual Workspaces, follow these straightforward steps:

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on System.
3. Select the Advanced page on the right side.
4. Click the Virtual Workspaces setting.

5. (Option 1) Enable the virtualization features, which include:

• Containers: Provides services and tools for creating and managing Windows Server Containers and their resources.
• Guarded Host: Allows the creation and operation of a “Shielded Virtual Machine” using remote attestation.
• Virtual Machine Platform: Offers platform support for virtual machines.
• Windows Hypervisor Platform: Facilitates the operation of virtualization software on the Windows hypervisor.
• Windows Sandbox: Activates the necessary dependencies to run the Sandbox feature.

6. (Option 2) Activate the available Hyper-V features.

• Hyper-V GUI Management Tools: Installs the Hyper-V Manager snap-in and Virtual Machine Connection tool.
• Hyper-V Module for Windows PowerShell: Configures cmdlets for managing Hyper-V.
• Hyper-V Hypervisor: Sets up the Hyper-V Hypervisor.
• Hyper-V Services: Installs services for creating and managing virtual machines and their resources.

7. Click the Restart now button.

Upon completing these steps, your computer will reboot, applying the necessary components to enable the virtualization features.

<h2 class="article-bodysection” id=”section-how-to-disable-virtualization-features-on-windows-11″>How to disable virtualization features on Windows 11

To deactivate the virtualization features through Virtual Workspaces, follow these steps:

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on System.
3. Select the Advanced page on the right side.
4. Click the Virtual Workspaces setting.

5. Turn off the virtualization feature (if applicable).

6. Click the Restart now button.

After completing these steps, your device will reboot, applying the changes necessary to disable the feature. It is worth noting that users can still enable these and other features via the “Windows Features” page and PowerShell.

<h3 class="article-bodysection” id=”section-faqs-about-getting-started-with-virtual-workspaces”>FAQs about getting started with Virtual Workspaces

Here are some frequently asked questions regarding the Virtual Workspaces settings.

What’s Virtual Workspaces on Windows 11?

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