Virtual Machines on AMD platforms with Windows Guest OS encounter BSOD after enabling Virtualization-Based Security (VBS)

Products

• VMware vSphere ESXi

Issue/Introduction

Symptoms:
On AMD platforms, a Windows VM may BSOD or hang on next boot after selecting the option to enable Virtualization-Based Security (VBS) for a new VM or an existing VM.

Environment

VMware vSphere ESXi 7.0.2
VMware vSphere ESXi 7.0.3
VMware vSphere ESXi 8.0.x

Resolution

Windows operating systems prior to Windows 11 and Windows Server 2022 require installation of patches using Windows update prior to enabling VBS in a Windows VM on VMware products.

To fix this issue , please follow the below steps:

1. Power OFF the VM.
2. Deselect the VBS option of the impacted virtual machine. For more information, see Enable or Disable Virtualization-based Security on an Existing VM
3. Power ON the VM and install Windows Updates.

Note: Please make sure Microsoft KB is applied.

4. Power OFF the VM and re-enable VBS and Power ON the VM again.

If the issue still persists, please engage Microsoft Support to troubleshoot the issue.

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