Change the drive icon in Windows Explorer
Windows 10 and 11
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4 parts
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about 15 minutes
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intermediate competency
Change the drive icon that is shown in the file browser in Windows. This is especially useful for removable storage devices (like a USB flash drive) that are dedicated to something like a brand or a certain file type.
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Keep in mind...
one:
Save all your work before you proceed. Your PC will need to restart during this procedure.
Since this document has only one part, we didn't include a table of contents section.
Currently Viewing: Preliminary
Next: Part A
one:
Open the Run box by pressing Win + R on your keyboard.
two:
In the Run box, type msinfo32, then click OK.
three:
In the newly opened window, locate System Type under the Item column. (See screenshot below)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Is your System Type showing "x64-based PC"?
or
If you don't see x64-based PC, your PC will not be compatible with a 64-bit Virtual machine.
Try these options instead:
-
Borrowing a PC from a family member or a friend.
-
If you have a desktop PC, upgrading any applicable hardware to one that's 64-bit compatible.
-
Continue with the guide anyways to see if something else might work.
If you want to proceed, you can continue to the next step from here.
Currently Viewing: Part A
Virtualization is what will allow you to run a Guest OS inside a Host OS (Virtual Machine). It's usually supported, but can often be turned off by the manufacturer for security purposes. We will need to verify that it's on for the VM to work properly.
one:
Right-click on the Start icon and click Task Manager.
two:
In the Run box, type msinfo32, then click OK.
three:
In the newly opened window, locate System Type under the Item column. (See screenshot below)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Is your System Type showing "x64-based PC"?
or
If you don't see x64-based PC...
If you don't see x64-based PC, your PC will not be compatible with a 64-bit Virtual machine.
Try these options instead:
-
Borrowing a PC from a family member or a friend.
-
If you have a desktop PC, upgrading any applicable hardware to one that's 64-bit compatible.
-
Continue with the guide anyways to see if something else might work.
If you want to proceed, you can continue to the next step from here.
Check that Virtualization is Supported and Enabled
Virtualization is what will allow you to run a Guest OS inside a Host OS (Virtual Machine). It's usually supported, but can often be turned off by the manufacturer for security purposes. We will need to verify that it's on for the VM to work properly.
1
Right-click on the Start icon and click Task Manager.
2
In Task Manager, click the Performance tab up-top. Make sure you're looking at the CPU section.
Not seeing the tabs at the top of Task Manager?
Click the More details drop-down arrow in the bottom left-corner of Task Manager.
Take a look at the Virtualization label as highlighted above in the screenshot.
Is your Virtualization showing "Enabled" or "Disabled"?
or
Enabling Virtualization Technology in your BIOS
We'll need to enable Virtualization in the BIOS because it's the only place where important system settings, such as Virtualization, can be controlled.
This process will require your PC to restart. Save your work and close your apps before continuing.
1
Access the BIOS on your PC.
To help save you time: Do you know how to access the BIOS on your PC?
or
Assistance For: Access the BIOS on your PC.
Learn how to effortlessly access the BIOS on most PC's made on or after August of 2012.
1a
Open the Start menu and access the power menu. While pressing down and holding the Shift Key, click Restart simultaneously. Once you see the loading screen, you can release the Shift key.
1b
In the newly opened menu, click Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > UEFI Firmware Settings > then click Restart.
1c
This will automatically restart your PC into your BIOS. The BIOS will vary visually, but it consists of menus, typically in columns and rows that are controlled with the arrow keys, or with graphics and are controlled with a mouse cursor.
2
Once you've accessed the BIOS on your PC, find a menu labelled Security, Miscellaneous, Advanced, or OC.
Just to confirm: Did you find the corresponding menu in your BIOS?
or
3
Once you have found the corresponding menu within your BIOS, find a label similar to or exactly matching: Intel Virtualization Technology, AMD-V, Hyper-V, VT-X, Vanderpool, or SVM. Enable it, then restart your PC and save the changes.
Just to confirm: Did you find the corresponding setting in your BIOS?
or
Disabling Virtualization Technology in Windows
Now that we've confirmed Virtualization is enabled in the BIOS, let's finish by disabling it in Windows to avoid conflict with VirtualBox and your PC.
This process will require your PC to restart. Save your work and close your apps before continuing.
1
Click on the Start icon.
2
Start typing to Search: turn windows features on or off, then click on the first result as highlighted in the screenshot.
3
Find Hyper-V on the list of features, then uncheck the box next to it to disable it. Click OK to save the changes. Windows will load for several seconds, then will ask to restart to complete the changes. Click Restart now. If Hyper-V isn't there or it's already unchecked, click Cancel.
Let us know when your PC has restarted and then we can continue.
Removing any other VM Applications from your PC
Virtual Machine players have a tendency to conflict with each other and can cause certain software issues.
This process will require your PC to restart. Save your work and close your apps before continuing.
1
Open the Run box by pressing Win + R on your keyboard. In the Run box, type in appwiz.cpl, then press Enter.
2
Control Panel will display all of the programs installed on your PC.
3
Locate each Virtual Machine program individually, select it, and click Change or Uninstall towards the top-center of the screen. A new window will open to finish removing the software. You may have to use an Exit Wizard to remove a program.
4
If applicable, follow the guide through to Remove the program. Restart your PC if asked to complete the removal process and clean up any residual files. Now, try adding a new Virtual Machine in VirtualBox using a 64-bit OS.
