"I need to enable Virtualization Technology (or SVM Mode) in the BIOS for WSL2 on my HP 15-ef0025wm.

[FOOLISHNESSENVY]

"I need to enable Virtualization Technology (or SVM Mode) in the BIOS for WSL2 on my HP 15-ef0025wm. However, my laptop's primary screen is broken, and I use an external monitor via HDMI, which does not display the BIOS screen. Is there a way to enable virtualization without visually accessing the BIOS? Alternatively, can you provide the exact key sequence to enable this feature blindly?"

[Nal_NR]

Hi @FOOLISHNESSENVY,

Welcome to the HP Support Community. 

I'd be glad to help you! 

I'm sorry to hear about the difficulties with your laptop's broken screen. It must be challenging trying to navigate BIOS settings without visibility, especially when working with external monitors. Let’s explore some options to enable virtualization.

• Have you tried connecting your laptop to the external monitor before powering it on to see if the BIOS screen appears there? Some laptops mirror the BIOS on an external display when detected at boot.
• Do you recall if the BIOS menu on your laptop uses a simple text interface or a graphical one? This may influence the navigation steps.
• Have you previously accessed your BIOS and enabled any other settings, or is this your first time making changes to it?

Let's try these steps. 

Connect External Monitor and Power Cycle:

• Turn off your laptop and connect the external monitor via HDMI.
• Power it on and repeatedly press the Esc key (or F10, depending on your laptop) to access the BIOS. Some external monitors may display the BIOS screen when connected before boot.

Blind Navigation to Enable Virtualization (Typical Key Sequence):

• If your monitor does not display the BIOS, follow these steps blindly:
  • Power on the laptop and press Esc repeatedly until the BIOS menu opens.
  • Press F10 to enter the BIOS Setup.
  • Use the Right Arrow Key to navigate to the Configuration or Advanced tab (varies by BIOS version).
  • Use the Down Arrow Key to locate Virtualization Technology or SVM Mode.
  • Press Enter to select it and toggle it to Enabled.
  • Press F10 to save and exit.
• Note: The exact steps may vary slightly. If this sequence does not work, consult your laptop's user manual or BIOS documentation.

Enable Virtualization Through Windows Settings (If BIOS Access Fails):

• While BIOS access is ideal, some systems support enabling virtualization through Windows.
• Open Windows Features (type it in the Start menu).
• Enable Virtual Machine Platform and Windows Subsystem for Linux. Restart your laptop to apply changes.

Use HP Support Assistant for Assistance:

• If enabling via BIOS is not possible, HP Support Assistant might provide options to update or configure firmware settings that enable virtualization.
• Download it from the HP website.

Repair or Replace the Laptop Screen Temporarily:

• Consider using an inexpensive repair service or replacing the screen temporarily to access BIOS. This ensures you can enable virtualization and make other critical changes in the future.

Hope this helps! Keep me posted for further assistance

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