Microsoft enables Windows 11 memory integrity feature
Microsoft is rolling out the Windows 11 memory integrity security feature next month, which may impact gaming performance on older hardware.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- Microsoft is expanding the rollout of Windows 11 memory integrity next month.
- The kernel-level protection stops malicious code but can lower game frame rates.
- The update will not re-enable the feature if you previously turned it off.
- Users can check and toggle the setting via Core Isolation in Windows security.
Microsoft is preparing to roll out its memory integrity security feature for Windows 11 to a broader range of devices starting next month. This kernel-level protection mechanism is specifically engineered to block malicious code or unauthorized drivers from executing on a Windows 11 machine.
Despite its security benefits, Microsoft has previously cautioned that the feature can negatively impact PC gaming performance on specific hardware configurations. While the performance hit is minimal on modern CPUs, users running older processors may notice a more noticeable drop in frame rates across select games.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
"Windows quality updates will begin enabling memory integrity protection on eligible devices. If not already enabled, these updates will also enable Virtualization-based Security (VBS), helping make additional security capabilities available and reflecting our commitment to making Windows secure by design and secure by default."
Peter Waxman
Peter Waxman, group program manager at Microsoft, detailed that the upcoming quality updates will automatically enable memory integrity protection along with Virtualization-based Security (VBS) on eligible devices to reinforce built-in system security.
Virtualization-based Security (VBS) and memory integrity create an isolated virtual environment to protect core operating system processes. While robust against malware, constantly verifying kernel-mode code demands extra CPU overhead, which explains why older processors experience performance slowdowns during heavy tasks like gaming.
Importantly, Microsoft confirmed that the system will not automatically re-enable memory integrity next month if a user has already manually disabled the feature beforehand.
For users wishing to verify their settings, typing "Core Isolation" into the Windows search bar allows access to the Windows security app where memory integrity can be toggled on or off.
If you choose to disable this security layer in exchange for better gaming performance, Microsoft officially recommends re-enabling memory integrity as soon as you finish playing your game.
Source: The Verge
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