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220-1201 Practice Question: A technician is configuring a new VM for a…
A technician is configuring a new VM for a developer who needs to test software on Windows 10. The host runs Hyper-V on Windows Server 2019. The developer requests that the VM have 8 GB RAM and 4 virtual CPUs. After creating the VM, the technician finds that the VM will not start and displays an error: 'The virtual machine could not be started because the hypervisor is not running.' What is the most likely solution?
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Enable Intel VT-x or AMD-V in the host’s BIOS/UEFI settings.
Hyper-V requires the Windows Hyper-V role to be installed and the hardware virtualization features (VT-x/AMD-V) to be enabled in the BIOS. If the hypervisor is not running, it is often because virtualization is disabled in BIOS or the Hyper-V role is not properly configured. The correct answer addresses enabling virtualization in BIOS.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Install the latest Windows updates and reboot the host.
Why it's wrong here
Installing Windows updates primarily addresses software bugs, security vulnerabilities, or adds new features to the operating system. However, the inability of a hypervisor to start is often rooted in a fundamental hardware configuration issue, specifically the disabling of CPU virtualization extensions in the host's BIOS/UEFI. Software updates cannot enable or disable hardware features controlled at the firmware level, making this action ineffective for the described problem.
- ✓
Enable Intel VT-x or AMD-V in the host’s BIOS/UEFI settings.
Why this is correct
Intel VT-x and AMD-V are crucial hardware virtualization extensions built into modern CPUs, providing the necessary capabilities for a Type 1 hypervisor like Hyper-V to function efficiently. These extensions allow the hypervisor to directly manage virtual machines and isolate them from the host, ensuring optimal performance and security. If these features are disabled in the host's BIOS/UEFI settings, Hyper-V cannot initialize or run any virtual machines, making their activation a mandatory first step.
- ✗
Change the VM’s generation from Generation 2 to Generation 1.
Why it's wrong here
Changing a virtual machine's generation, from Generation 2 (UEFI-based) to Generation 1 (BIOS-based), only affects the virtual hardware presented to the guest operating system and its boot method. This setting is configured per-VM and has no impact on the host server's ability to enable or run the Hyper-V hypervisor itself. The hypervisor's operational status is determined by host-level hardware and software configurations, not individual VM settings.
- ✗
Reinstall the Hyper-V role from Server Manager.
Why it's wrong here
Reinstalling the Hyper-V role from Server Manager is a troubleshooting step for issues related to corrupted software components, missing files, or incorrect service registrations within the Windows operating system. However, if the core problem stems from disabled hardware virtualization extensions (Intel VT-x or AMD-V) in the host's BIOS/UEFI, reinstalling the software role will not resolve the issue. The hypervisor requires these fundamental hardware capabilities to function, regardless of its software installation status.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This 220-1201 practice question is part of Courseiva's free CompTIA certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the 220-1201 exam.