Docker for Windows error: "Hardware assisted virtualization and data execution protection must be enabled in the BIOS"

Question

I've installed Docker and I'm getting this error when I run the GUI:

Hardware assisted virtualization and data execution protection must be enabled in the BIOS

Seems like a bug since Docker works like a charm from the command line, but I'm wondering if anyone has a clue about why this is happening?

Before you ask, yes, I've enabled virtualization in the BIOS and the Intel Processor Identification Utility confirms that it's activated. Docker, docker-machine and docker-compose all work from the command line, Virtualbox works, running Docker from a Debian or Ubuntu VM works.

There's just this weird issue about the GUI.

My specs:

• Windows 10 Pro x64 Anniversary Edition
• Intel core i5-6300HQ @ 2.30GHz

Answer 1

If the features described are enabled, the problem is with Hyper-V that is disabled or Hypervisor agent not running.

SOLUTION A (If Hyper-V is totally disabled or not installed)

1. Open PowerShell as administrator and

2. Enable Hyper-V with

   dism.exe /Online /Enable-Feature:Microsoft-Hyper-V /All

SOLUTION B (If Hyper-V feature is already enabled but doesn't work)

Enable Hypervisor with

bcdedit /set hypervisorlaunchtype auto

Now restart the system and try again.

SOLUTION C

If the problem persists, probably Hyper-V on your system is corrupted, so

1. Go in Control Panel -> [Programs] -> [Windows Features] and completely uncheck all Hyper-V related components. Restart the system.

2. Enable Hyper-V again. Restart.

NOTE 1:

Hyper-V needs hardware virtualization as prerequisite. Make sure your PC supports it, if yes and still won't work, there is the possibility your BIOS is not configured correctly and this feature is disabled. In this case, check, enable it and try again. The virtualization features could be reported under different names according the platform used (e.g if you don't see any option that uses virtualization label explicitly, on AMD you have to check SVM feature state, on Intel the VT-x feature state).

NOTE 2:

Hyper-V can be installed only with some version e.g.:

Windows 10 Enterprise; Windows 10 Professional; Windows 10 Education.

Hyper-V cannot be installed on cheaper or mobile Windows versions e.g.:

Windows 10 Home; Windows 10 Mobile; Windows 10 Mobile Enterprise.

Answer 2

Below is working solution for me, please follow these steps

1. Open PowerShell as administrator or CMD prompt as administrator

2. Run this command in PowerShell-> bcdedit /set hypervisorlaunchtype auto

3. Now restart the system and try again.

cheers.

Answer 3

In my case I had to enable virtualization in the BIOS setting.

1. Restart PC
2. While you are on the 'restart' screen press any of these keys and you enter the bios settings in windows: esc, f1, f2, f3, f4, f8 or delete
3. For intel based systems:
   • press f7 (advanced mode)
   • go to advanced
   • cpa configuration
   • enable virtualization

And after all above steps, it finally works :-)