Microsoft is preparing to roll out its memory integrity security feature for Windows 11 to a broader range of devices next month. This kernel-level protection is designed to block malicious code or drivers from running on a machine, though Microsoft has previously acknowledged that it can impact PC gaming performance.
Security by Default
“Windows quality updates will begin enabling memory integrity protection on eligible devices,” stated Peter Waxman, group program manager at Microsoft. These updates will also enable Virtualization-based Security (VBS), a move Waxman describes as part of Microsoft's commitment to making Windows secure by design and secure by default.
Performance Trade-offs
While memory integrity ensures that only trusted kernel-mode code and drivers are executed, it can cause performance overhead. Users with modern CPUs may see minimal impact, but those on older processors might experience more significant framerate drops in certain games. Notably, Microsoft will not override user preferences; if a user has previously disabled the feature, the upcoming update will not re-enable it.
How to Manage Settings
Users can check the status of this feature by searching for ‘Core Isolation’ in the Windows search bar and navigating to the Windows security app. For gamers who prioritize performance, Microsoft suggests a manual approach: disabling the feature while playing and re-enabling it once the gaming session is over to maintain system security.
