VMX instructions in x86

Note: Intel PRM Vol 3b has a lot of details on VMX. If you want a quick snapshot read this blog and then Vol 3b will seem tractable.


To enable virtual machine architecture, Intel provides new instructions as part of their Virtual Machine Extensions(abbreviated VMX) instruction set. This instruction set is different from the one that AMD provides for SVM.

Here is a quick look at the instructions:
(a) VMXON - enter vmx operation
(b) VMXOFF - leave vmx operation
(c) VMREAD - read from the vmcs (vmcs will be discussed later)
(d) VMWRITE - write to the vmcs
(e) VMPTRLD - load vmcs pointer
(f) VMPTRST - store vmcs pointer
(g) VMLAUNCH/VMRESUME - launch or resume virtual machine
(h) VMCALL - call to the hypervisor

Processor/Firmware settings for VMX:

1. To make sure your processor supports VMX, execute CPUID with eax=1 (leaf 1) and check for bit 5 of ecx. If the bit is set the CPU supports VMX else it is not supported.

2. In addition to the above the BIOS must enable VMX by a write to the FEATURE_CONTROL_MSR (address 0x3a). If the msr value is initialized to 0x5 (bit0=1 and bit2=1), then vmx is enabled.
Bit 0 of the msr is the lock bit. If set, the msr is protected. This means the processor will throw a #GP exception when a wrmsr is attempted with the lock bit = 1. Bit 2 is the VMXON_ENABLE bit. Executing VMXON without bit2 set will cause the processor to generate a #GP exception.