Microsoft to automatically enable Windows 11 security feature that can hurt gaming performance
Microsoft will begin enabling Windows 11 memory integrity protection on eligible devices next month, a security feature that can reduce frame rates in some PC games.
Group program manager Peter Waxman said in a statement that 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," he said.
The feature only allows trusted kernel-mode code and drivers to run on a system. On certain hardware this can hurt PC game performance. Users with more modern CPUs are likely to see less impact, while people with older processors may notice a larger frame rate drop in select games, The Verge reported.
Microsoft will not automatically re-enable memory integrity if a user has already disabled it. Those who want to check the setting on Windows 11 can search for "Core Isolation" in Windows Search, open the result, and toggle memory integrity on or off in the Windows Security app. Microsoft recommends re-enabling memory integrity after finishing a gaming session if it was turned off to improve performance.