You turn on your Windows 11 PC.
You launch your favorite game.
And suddenly, you notice lower FPS, stuttering, or a level of system overhead that wasn't there before.
Could Memory Integrity be part of the reason?
Microsoft is expanding the automatic enablement of Memory Integrity to more eligible Windows 11 devices starting in October 2026. The goal is to strengthen protection against attacks targeting the Windows kernel, but virtualization-based security can have a measurable performance impact on some systems, particularly in gaming workloads.
This guide explains what Memory Integrity is, what Microsoft is changing, how to check whether it is enabled, what performance testing has found, and whether disabling it is actually worth considering.
What Is Memory Integrity?
Memory Integrity, also known as Hypervisor-protected Code Integrity (HVCI), is a Windows security feature built on Virtualization-based Security (VBS).
Instead of relying entirely on the normal Windows kernel environment, VBS uses the Windows hypervisor to create an isolated environment for security-sensitive operations.
Memory Integrity uses that environment to protect kernel-mode code integrity.
In practical terms, it helps prevent malicious or untrusted kernel-mode code and drivers from modifying protected parts of Windows.
Think of it as an additional security boundary around one of the most sensitive parts of Windows.
Microsoft officially documents Memory Integrity as a VBS feature designed to strengthen protection against kernel-level attacks.
Why Is Microsoft Expanding Memory Integrity in October 2026?
Microsoft announced that Windows quality updates will begin enabling Memory Integrity on more eligible Windows devices starting in October 2026.
The rollout is gradual rather than a single switch that affects every Windows 11 PC at the same time.
Microsoft says Windows will evaluate device readiness before enabling the protection. Those readiness signals include factors such as:
- Hardware capabilities
- Compatibility
- Performance considerations
- Windows 11 system requirements
- Existing security configuration
On some devices, enabling Memory Integrity will also enable the underlying Virtualization-based Security (VBS) environment if it is not already active.
Importantly, Microsoft says that existing administrator and user choices remain in effect. Devices where Memory Integrity was previously disabled will not automatically have it re-enabled by this particular rollout.
The goal is straightforward: make stronger kernel-level protection available on more compatible Windows systems without requiring users to configure it manually.
Does Memory Integrity Reduce Gaming Performance?
It can.
But there is no single percentage that applies to every PC or every game.
Performance depends on:
- CPU architecture
- Hardware virtualization support
- Whether VBS is already active
- Whether Memory Integrity/HVCI is enabled
- The game being tested
- Whether the workload is CPU-limited
- Driver and software configuration
Microsoft specifically notes that Memory Integrity works more efficiently on processors with hardware features designed to accelerate virtualization security. Older processors may experience greater performance impact because they lack some of these capabilities.
What Do Independent Benchmarks Show?
Different tests have produced different results.
Tom's Hardware tested Windows 11 VBS/HVCI configurations and found an overall gaming performance impact around 5% on average in one set of tests, with individual games showing larger differences.
In another test using a high-end RTX 4090 system, Tom's Hardware found that VBS could make some games run up to around 15% slower, while many applications showed a much smaller difference.
Other independent testing has also found that the effect can vary considerably between games. For example, TechSpot recorded substantially larger changes in some titles when VBS was enabled, including noticeable differences in 1% low frame rates.
The important conclusion is:
Memory Integrity does not automatically cause a 5%, 10%, or 25% performance loss on every Windows 11 PC.
The effect is highly hardware- and workload-dependent.
For some systems, the difference may be barely noticeable.
For others, particularly certain CPU-limited gaming workloads, the impact can be more significant.
Why Can Older Hardware Be Affected More?
Modern processors include hardware capabilities that make virtualization-based security more efficient.
Microsoft specifically notes improved Memory Integrity performance on:
- Intel processors with Mode-Based Execution Control (MBEC)
- AMD Zen 2 and newer processors with Guest Mode Execute Trap (GMET) capabilities
Older processors may rely on additional software mechanisms instead of these hardware-assisted features, potentially increasing the performance overhead.
That does not mean every older processor will experience a large slowdown.
It means the architecture of the CPU is one factor that can influence the cost of Memory Integrity.
How to Check If Memory Integrity Is Enabled
Method 1: Windows Security
The easiest method is through Windows Security.
- Open Windows Security
- Select Device security
- Select Core isolation details
- Find Memory integrity
If the switch is On, Memory Integrity is enabled.
Method 2: System Information
You can also inspect the VBS status through Windows System Information.
- Press Windows + R
- Type:
msinfo32
- Press Enter
- Look for the Virtualization-based security entry
This can tell you whether VBS is running.
However, remember that VBS and Memory Integrity are related but not identical settings. VBS is the virtualization-based security platform; Memory Integrity/HVCI is one security feature that uses that platform.
How to Disable Memory Integrity
If you decide that you need to test your gaming performance with Memory Integrity disabled, Windows provides a built-in setting.
Step 1: Open Windows Security
Search for:
Windows Security
Open the application.
Step 2: Open Core Isolation
Go to:
Device security → Core isolation details
Step 3: Turn Off Memory Integrity
Find:
Memory integrity
Switch it to Off.
Windows may require a restart for the change to take effect.
Important Security Warning
Disabling Memory Integrity reduces protection against certain kernel-level attacks.
Microsoft recommends using these security protections where appropriate, and disabling them should not be treated as a universal gaming optimization.
If you disable the feature purely for troubleshooting or performance testing, consider re-enabling it afterward.
Should Gamers Disable Memory Integrity?
There is no universal answer.
Keep Memory Integrity Enabled If:
- Security is your priority
- You use the PC for work or sensitive information
- You are not experiencing any meaningful performance problem
- Your games run normally
- You want stronger protection against kernel-level threats
Consider Testing With It Disabled If:
- You are experiencing unexplained gaming performance problems
- Your system is particularly sensitive to CPU overhead
- You want to determine whether Memory Integrity is contributing to the problem
- You understand the security trade-off
The best approach is not to assume.
Measure first.
Run the same game or benchmark with the same settings and compare the results.
Memory Integrity: Security vs. Performance
| Aspect | Memory Integrity ON | Memory Integrity OFF |
|---|---|---|
| Kernel protection | ✅ Stronger protection | ⚠️ Reduced protection |
| Gaming performance | May have some overhead | Potentially lower overhead |
| Security posture | ✅ Stronger | ⚠️ Weaker |
| Best approach | Recommended when practical | Mainly for testing or specific performance needs |
| Performance impact | Varies by hardware/workload | Removes Memory Integrity overhead |
The important point is that performance impact is not universal.
A modern PC may show only a small difference, while another configuration may show a more noticeable change in certain games.
How SysPulse Can Help You Monitor Your PC
If you are trying to determine why your Windows PC suddenly feels slower, changing a security setting is only one part of the investigation.
You also need to know what is happening on the system.
That's where SysPulse can be useful.
SysPulse is a lightweight Windows security monitor that runs in the background and sends Telegram alerts when important system activity changes.
It can help you monitor:
- CPU and RAM anomalies — identify unusual resource usage
- New processes — see when new processes appear, including their file paths
- Startup changes — detect changes to Windows startup entries
- USB connections — receive alerts when removable USB devices are connected
- Telegram notifications — receive alerts when monitored events occur
SysPulse does not directly measure the gaming FPS impact of Memory Integrity, and it does not enable or disable Memory Integrity.
Instead, it gives you another layer of visibility into what is happening on your Windows PC when performance or system behavior changes.
Learn more about SysPulse:
https://syspulse.pro/
A Better Way to Test Your PC
If you suspect Memory Integrity is affecting your gaming performance, don't rely on a single FPS number.
Try this:
- Choose one game or benchmark.
- Use the same graphics settings.
- Run the same test several times.
- Record average FPS.
- Record 1% low FPS if your benchmark provides it.
- Check CPU and RAM usage.
- Compare the results with Memory Integrity enabled and disabled.
- Re-enable the protection if you decide the performance difference is not worth the security trade-off.
This gives you evidence from your own hardware, which is much more useful than assuming that another person's benchmark applies to your PC.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Memory Integrity the same as VBS?
No.
Memory Integrity, or HVCI, is a security feature that uses the Virtualization-based Security infrastructure.
VBS provides the isolated virtualization environment, while Memory Integrity uses that environment for kernel-mode code integrity protection.
Is Memory Integrity bad for gaming?
Not necessarily.
It can introduce performance overhead, but the size of that overhead varies substantially between hardware and games.
Does Memory Integrity always reduce FPS?
No.
Some systems and games show very small differences, while others can show more noticeable changes.
Will Microsoft enable Memory Integrity on every Windows 11 PC in October 2026?
No.
Microsoft says the October 2026 rollout targets eligible devices and will be gradual. Windows will evaluate device readiness before enabling the protection.
If I previously disabled Memory Integrity, will Windows automatically turn it back on?
Microsoft says that devices where Memory Integrity was previously disabled will not have it automatically re-enabled by this rollout.
Should I disable Memory Integrity permanently?
For most users, there is no reason to disable a security feature permanently just because it might have a performance cost.
If you are experiencing a real performance problem, test the difference on your own system first and make an informed decision.
Final Thoughts
Windows 11 Memory Integrity is not simply a "performance killer."
It is a legitimate security feature designed to make kernel-level attacks harder.
At the same time, performance overhead is real in some configurations, particularly in certain gaming workloads.
The most accurate answer is therefore not:
"Memory Integrity costs 10% FPS."
It is:
"The performance impact depends on your hardware, software, and workload."
Microsoft's October 2026 expansion means more Windows 11 users may encounter the feature, so understanding how to check it—and how to measure its actual impact on your own PC—is more useful than relying on a single benchmark number.
If your PC suddenly behaves differently, monitor the system, measure the performance, and make security decisions based on evidence rather than assumptions.
Stay secure — and keep your system measurable.
Sources
Microsoft — Expanding Memory Integrity Protection Across Windows Devices
https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/blog/windows-itpro-blog/expanding-memory-integrity-protection-across-windows-devices/4551984Microsoft Learn — Enable virtualization-based protection of code integrity
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/security/hardware-security/enable-virtualization-based-protection-of-code-integrityMicrosoft Support — Device security in the Windows Security app
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/security/windows-security/device-security-in-the-windows-security-appTom's Hardware — How to Disable VBS and Speed Up Windows 11 or 10
https://www.tomshardware.com/how-to/disable-vbs-windows-11Tom's Hardware — Tested: Default Windows VBS Setting Slows Games Up to 10%, Even on RTX 4090
https://www.tomshardware.com/news/windows-vbs-harms-performance-rtx-4090Tom's Hardware — Benchmarked: Do Windows 11’s Security Features Really Hobble Gaming Performance?
https://www.tomshardware.com/news/windows-11-gaming-benchmarks-performance-vbs-hvci-securityTechSpot — Windows 11 & VBS Gaming Performance Testing
https://www.techspot.com/review/2358-intel-alder-lake-windows-11-benchmark/
Top comments (0)