Problem with running EVE-NG on VMware Workstation 25H2

[Salem Mahara]

Hello guys,

I recently bought a new laptop (Lenovo Thinkbook 14 G8) with following configuration:

• Intel Ultra 7 255H
• 32Gb Memory
• Windows 11 Pro 25H2

I installed VMware workstation 25H2 on it and then EVE-NG Community.

• Virtualization (Intel vt-x/ETP and vt-d) is enabled in Bios
• Virtualization is enabled on EVE machine

When I start VM, it boots normally. But, when I start a node within that, Vmware crashes with an error:

- Hyper-V and its related features are disabled.

- Anti virus is turned off

- OS and Bios is updated

What's your opinion? 

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[Dhairya Tomar]

Salem Mahara Request you to recreate the issue and share full support bundle of the affected VM using Help->Support->Collect Support Data.

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[Salem Mahara]

I did that

Should I post the result here?

It's a Zip file.

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[Dhairya Tomar]

Salem Mahara Yes you can post the result here or share it via direct message to me.

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[Dhairya Tomar]

Salem Mahara Request you to try below steps and this and update if your issue is resolved-

VM > Settings > Hardware > Processors > Virtualization Engine and uncheck "Virtualize Intel VT-x EPT or AMD-V/RVI"

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[Salem Mahara]

As I mentioned in my original post, I've tried many ways including what you suggested. 

Also:

• OS and Bios are up-to-date
• All derivers are installed properly
• Reinstalling the VMware workstation and moving from versions (17.5 and 25H2) has different result, but same final point! Version 17.5 says "Virtualization is not supported on this platform", while virtualization is enabled on VM and Bios. Version 25H2 let EVE machine start and everything is okay until starting the first node in lab. Then Workstation crashes with the error I attached to original post. So, I think, 25H2 is ignoring the problem which we start nesting virtualization in EVE machine. 

I'll send you the Support Log in private if you tell me how to attach a file to my private MSG.

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[James Lin]

VMware Workstation currently does not support nested virtualization currently when using WHP.  If you need nested virtualization, you will need to disable WHP.

[Ahmed Abdul Latif]

Hi

 

I am also facing issue related VMware Workstation unrecoverable error: (vcpu-0)

 

I installed Free EVE Community Edition Version 6.2.0-4 & VMware® Workstation Pro 25H2 on Windows 11 25H2 HOME EDITION

 

Eve-Simulator trun on smothly when I trun on Cisco related L2/3 images - Eve Webpage becomes hang and this error appear on VMware Workstation Pro 

VMware Workstation unrecoverable error: (vcpu-0) - Then VM machine turned off. 

 

 

Then I installed Juniper Router image on Eve-Simulator the same error appearing. 

 

I already performed this trobleshooting tips but couldnot get success

 

Memory Integrity / Core Isolation - Disabled

Hyper-V and other Microsoft virtualization platforms: - Disabled

Command Line Method to Disable Hyper-V: - Disabled

Look for settings like Intel VT-x, Intel Virtual Technology, or Secure Virtual Machine (SVM) (for AMD systems) and ensure they are Enabled.- Enabled

 

On Vmware Workstation settings:

 

Number of Processor :1 & core processor :1 

Accelerated 3d graphics: unchecked

Virtualize Intel VT-x Checked

 

I am using Alienware x16 R2 Laptop,

RAM: 32 GB 

Graphic: Nvidia 4080 

Processor: Intel Core ultra 9 185H

Both Support data and Vmware Logs are attached. 

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Attachment(s)

vmsupport-2025-12-13-07-08.zip   3.43 MB 1 version

vmware.log   319 KB 1 version

[Salem Mahara]

Update1:

• I could start my EVE machine inside Hyper-v on the same laptop and os!
• So, problem is definitely caused by Vmware Workstatin 25H2
• Workstation 17.5 shows another error when I want start my EVE machine: Virtualization is not supported on this platform (while it is enabled in Bios and VM). So, this is an extra symptom to prove where the root causr is. This version (17.5 is old and incompatible with Ultra 7 family, meanwhile 25H2 is compatible too, but reacts differently)

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[Dhairya Tomar]

Salem Mahara Request you to go to the VM Directory of the VM where you are seeing this error, check the latest vmware.log file and confirm if "vhv.enable" is present or NOT.

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[Abyan Faishal Reza]

hi i also blocked in here, everytime i configured it it just failed showing vcpu-0 vcpu-5 vcpu-2. is it not supported with my laptop, lenovo with ultra core 9 to use eve-ng and vmware? 

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[Prajakta Malla]

As Dhairya has asked previously, please go to the VM Directory of the VM where you are seeing this error and check the latest vmware.log file.

Please confirm whether "vhv.enable" is present in the log. Also share the vmware log file

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[Ahmed Abdul Latif]

Can you check my post I already shared all required logs. But still not get solution. 
Is there any paid service to fix this issue ?? 

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[James Lin]

As I previously explained, VMware Workstation currently does not support nested virtualization currently when using WHP.  If you need nested virtualization (and it sounds like EVE-NG does need it) , you will need to disable WHP and use the VMware hypervisor.

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[Ahmed Abdul Latif]

I got the solution. 

You must upgrade your windows 11 Home license to Windows 11 Pro version 

 

I upgraded to Windows 11 pro version and using VMware version :17.6.4 (VMware Workstation 17 Pro) 

 

Then perform these below steps to use VMware nested virtualization for EVE simulator. 

 

1) Disable Hyper-V via the GUI 

   Uncheck all Hyper-V related options.

 

2) CMD: 

   bcdedit /set hypervisorlaunchtype off

 

3) Using PowerCLI, remove all Hyper-V features:

   Disable-WindowsOptionalFeature -Online -FeatureName Microsoft-Hyper-V-All

   

4) Restart

 

5) Disable Virtualization-Based Security (VBS):

   Go to Windows Security > Device Security.

   Under Core Isolation, turn Memory Integrity OFF

 

6) Restart

 

7) Open Windows Security -> Under Virus & threat protection, click Manage settings -> find Tamper Protection - > toggle it Off

 

8) Press Win + R, type gpedit.msc, and press Enter.

   Navigate to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > System > Device Guard.

   Double-click "Turn on Virtualization Based Security" and set it to Disabled.

   Click Apply then OK

 

9) Restart your PC. 

 

Nothing is free you have to pay for get the job done as I did for windows 11 pro license..!

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[Morc001]

Stop spreading misinformation. The steps to disable Virtualization-base Security (aka VBS) has been documented on this forum already. Just search for it. You don't need Windows 11 Pro to do it.

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[Ahmed Abdul Latif]

LOL I dont need to spreading misinformation. I was suffering for last 2.5 months to fix this vmware app n windows os integration problems.
FYI : disable Virtualization-base Security can not be completelty disbabled in Windows11 home version. U need to do by both ways from registry n GPO. Even if u enable GPO in win11 home version still u wont find option device security, then you need batches files to disable VBS in windows 11 home- its makes ur pc/laptop easy meat for malware/Virus or windows malfunctions,.

 

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[Morc001]

LOL, you don't need GPEdit. You don't know that GPEdit is just a different way to edit the Registry, do you? The DG Readiness Tool, downloadable from Microsoft, can disable VBS, because it just edits a few keys in Registry to do it. The full step-by-step guide was posted already, which includes the DG readiness as an alternative way to GPEdit to disable Device Guard: https://community.broadcom.com/vmware-cloud-foundation/discussion/how-to-disable-hyper-v-in-windows-11-24h2 Just running a script does not make your computer an easy target, only if you download from dobious sources.

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[Ahmed Abdul Latif]

I dont know why you becoming personal or act like more professional, I did all steps except step04
I just shared my experience how would i fix this issue under my circusmstances. 

 
Broadcom employee shared same link as you do. 

For me I am happy - I m utilizing my alienware laptop power by Intel Ultra core 9 for running Cisco SD-WAN, L2/L3, Firepower n junpiers images n also some time Call of duty BO7 😋

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[Morc001]

I don't know what you took as personal, but I seem to be more professional, because I knew stuff you didn't. But back to the topic at hand, you made a claim that VBS can't be disabled in Windows 11 Home, because you need GPEdit to do that. I said, "no you don't need GPEdit" and now I spent 2 hours installing a fresh Windows 11 24H2, enabling all Device Security features, making sure VBS is enabled, upgraded to Windows 11 25H2, installed VMWare Workstation 25H2, created a VM with CPU virtualization features enabled and verified that the VM can't boot because VBS hides the actual CPU virtualization features from Workstation. Then followed the instructions from the link I provided, rebooted twice to make sure VBS is not only disabled for one reboot and tested the same VM again. It booted fine. And to support my claim, here are two screenshots. My goal is to "remove" any misinformation, so if someone comes looking for solutions is not misled.

Before:

After:

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[Muhammad Imran]

I'm also facing the same issue. 

VMware Workstation unrecoverable error: (vcpu-1)

Exception 0x80000003 (debug breakpoint) has occurred.

A log file is available in "C:\abc\aaaaaa\eve-ng\vmware.log".  

You can request support.  

To collect data to submit to VMware support, choose "Collect Support Data" from the Help menu.

You can also run the "vm-support" script in the Workstation folder directly.

We will respond on the basis of your support entitlement.

VM---VM Directory---vmware.log---vhv.enable = "TRUE"

Please suggest the solution.

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[Ahmed Abdul Latif]

Dear Muhammad 

In my case I had been through, if you have heavy performance laptop or PC, you need to switch Windows11 pro to disable device security by GPO. 
Lenovo, Alienware, Asus or other brand have their own software to integrated with laptop/PC hardware to not let you undo security features unless you to change in GPO.

Using eve version: 2.0.3-112 and VMware version :17.6.4 (VMware Workstation 17 Pro)

Perform these below steps to use VMware nested virtualization for EVE simulator. 

1) Disable Hyper-V via the GUI 

   Uncheck all Hyper-V related options.

 

2) CMD: 

   bcdedit /set hypervisorlaunchtype off

 

3) Using PowerCLI, remove all Hyper-V features:

   Disable-WindowsOptionalFeature -Online -FeatureName Microsoft-Hyper-V-All

   

4) Restart

 

5) Disable Virtualization-Based Security (VBS):

   Go to Windows Security > Device Security.

   Under Core Isolation, turn Memory Integrity OFF

 

6) Restart

 

7) Open Windows Security -> Under Virus & threat protection, click Manage settings -> find Tamper Protection - > toggle it Off

 

8) Press Win + R, type gpedit.msc, and press Enter.

   Navigate to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > System > Device Guard.

   Double-click "Turn on Virtualization Based Security" and set it to Disabled.

   Click Apply then OK

 

9) Restart your PC. 

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