虚拟化技术是指在x86的系统中，一个或以上的客操作系统（Guest Operating System，简称：Guest OS）在一个主操作系统（Host Operating System，简称：Host OS）下运行的一种技术。这种技术只要求对客操作系统有很少的修改或甚至根本没有修改。x86处理器架构起先并不满足波佩克与戈德堡虚拟化需求（Popek and Goldberg virtualization requirements），这使得在x86处理器下对普通虚拟机的操作变得十分复杂。在2005年与2006年，英特尔与AMD分别在它们的x86架构上解决了这个问题以及其他的虚拟化困难。

In computing, x86 virtualization refers to hardware virtualization for the x86 architecture. It allows multiple operating systems to simultaneously share x86 processor resources in a safe and efficient manner.

In the late 1990s x86 virtualization was achieved by complex software techniques, necessary to compensate for the processor's lack of virtualization support while attaining reasonable performance. In 2006, both Intel (VT-x) and AMD (AMD-V) introduced limited hardware virtualization support that allowed for simpler virtualization software but offered very little speed benefits. Greater hardware support, which allowed for substantial speed improvements, came with later processor models.