How to Run Virtual Machines on an x86 NAS

A NAS that only stores files is doing half the job it is capable of, because an x86 model can also run a full second computer inside itself. Learning to run virtual machines on an x86 NAS turns a storage box into a small server that hosts a Windows or Linux guest alongside your data, with no extra hardware. That lets one quiet, always-on machine handle backups, files, and a virtual computer for testing, light services, or a home project, all at once.

Quick Answer

You run virtual machines on an x86 NAS using Synology's Virtual Machine Manager or QNAP's Virtualization Station, which host a guest operating system next to the NAS's storage duties. This works only on x86 NAS units with Intel VT or AMD-V virtualisation support, never on ARM models. Plan for at least 4GB of RAM allocated to a guest, on top of what the NAS itself needs to run.

Before you start: x86 only

This is the hard gate, so confirm it first. Virtual machines need an x86 processor with hardware virtualisation extensions, Intel VT or AMD-V, which the NAS software uses to run a guest. An ARM-based NAS cannot run virtual machines at all, no matter the settings, because the architecture lacks the right virtualisation support. Check your NAS model's processor before anything else. If it is ARM, virtual machines are off the table, though lighter containers may still be an option.

Step 1: Confirm your NAS supports virtualisation

Look up your exact model and verify it runs an x86 chip with VT or AMD-V, and that it is supported by the relevant app. On Synology, Virtual Machine Manager runs on the Plus series and higher; on QNAP, Virtualization Station targets x86 models. Entry-level ARM units are excluded. The NAS and storage range at Evetech lists x86 units suited to this kind of duty if you are still choosing hardware.

Step 2: Check you have enough RAM

A virtual machine needs its own memory carved out of the NAS, and this is where people get caught short. Budget at least 4GB of RAM for a single guest, plus whatever the NAS reserves for its own operating system and storage tasks. A NAS with only the base amount of memory will struggle to run a VM and serve files at the same time. If your unit supports a memory upgrade, adding more before you start makes the whole experience smoother, especially if you intend to run more than one guest.

Step 3: Install the virtualisation app

From your NAS package centre or app store, install Synology Virtual Machine Manager or QNAP Virtualization Station, depending on your brand. Both are built on the open-source KVM hypervisor and integrate cleanly with the NAS interface, so once installed you manage your virtual machines from the same dashboard you use for everything else.

Step 4: Prepare your guest operating system

Download the installation image, an ISO file, for the operating system you want to run, whether that is a Windows version or a Linux distribution. Upload that ISO into the virtualisation app's image library so it is ready to install from. Make sure you have a legitimate licence for any operating system that requires one, the same as you would for a physical computer.

Step 5: Create and configure the virtual machine

In the app, create a new virtual machine and assign its resources: CPU cores, the RAM you set aside earlier, and a virtual disk sized for the guest. Point the VM at the ISO you uploaded as its boot source, attach a virtual network adapter so it can reach your network, and review the settings. Allocate generously enough that the guest runs comfortably, but leave the NAS itself enough headroom to keep serving files without slowing down. Fast storage helps here, and the SSD best sellers are a quick way to see current drives that keep a VM responsive.

Step 6: Install the operating system and finish setup

Start the virtual machine and open its console from the app. The guest boots from the ISO and you walk through a normal operating system installation, exactly as you would on a physical PC. Once it is installed, install any guest tools the platform offers for better performance and easier management, then set the VM to boot from its virtual disk rather than the ISO. From here you have a working virtual computer running inside your NAS, ready for whatever you built it to do.

What to actually use it for

A VM on a NAS suits light, always-on jobs: a small Linux server for a home service, a test environment you can break and rebuild without risk, a sandbox for trying software, or a lightweight Windows instance for a specific task. It is not meant for heavy workloads or gaming, since a NAS processor is modest, but for a quiet machine that never sleeps, running a small virtual server alongside your storage is a genuinely useful way to get more from hardware you already own.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can an ARM NAS run virtual machines?

No. Virtual machines require an x86 processor with hardware virtualisation support such as Intel VT or AMD-V, which ARM NAS units lack. ARM models cannot run VMs at all, though some can run lighter containers instead.

How much RAM does a NAS virtual machine need?

Plan for at least 4GB allocated to a single guest, on top of the memory the NAS reserves for itself. A unit with only base memory will struggle to run a VM and serve files at once, so a memory upgrade beforehand is often worthwhile.

Which app do I use, and are they the same?

Synology uses Virtual Machine Manager and QNAP uses Virtualization Station, both built on the KVM hypervisor. They differ in interface but do the same job, hosting a guest operating system from within the NAS dashboard.

What can I realistically run in a NAS VM?

Light, always-on workloads suit it best: a small Linux server, a test or sandbox environment, or a lightweight Windows instance for a specific task. Heavy applications and gaming are beyond a typical NAS processor, so keep the guest's job modest.

Will running a VM slow down my file storage?

It can if you over-allocate resources. The key is leaving the NAS enough CPU and RAM headroom to keep serving files while the VM runs. Sizing the guest sensibly and adding memory where possible keeps both jobs smooth.