To resolve this issue, enable No-Execute Memory Protection in the BIOS of the ESXi host.
Note: The No-Execute Memory Protection option may be referred to differently on different systems. These are some of the variations that may be displayed in the BIOS of the server:
- Data execution bit enable
- Data execution prevention
- No Execute Memory Protection
- No Execute Page Protection
How to enable NX or XD in the BIOS
This flag can be enabled or disabled only through the BIOS of the ESXi host.
To enable this flag and to make your ESXi host is compatible with Windows 8 RP:
- Restart the affected virtual ESXi host.
- While booting, before Windows starts, press the key to go to BIOS.
Note: The key to open the BIOS is different on different computers. Most computers use the keys F2, F12, or DELETE. Try each of these keys and see if you can get to the BIOS. If none of these keys work, press all the function keys (F1 to F12) repeatedly on the computer while starting the computer.
- In the BIOS, go to the Security tab.
- Look for the NX or XD flag.
Note: For Intel processors, you see the XD flag and for AMD processors, you see the NX flag. If that is not enabled, toggle the option and enable it.
- Save the settings and exit the BIOS settings.
- Restart the ESXi host.