Disabling Memory Integrity in Windows 11: A Practical Guide for Aussies
If you’re having trouble running certain software on Windows 11, turning off the Memory Integrity feature might do the trick. It’s tucked away in Windows Security settings, and honestly, it’s not the easiest to find at first glance. But once you know where to look, it’s pretty straightforward. Some programs just don’t get along with this protection — maybe an update broke something, or your favourite old app can’t keep up — it happens.
A quick note: Memory Integrity aims to protect your PC from certain cyber threats. However, it can also block some drivers from working properly. Classic Windows — always keeping us on our toes!
How to Get to Windows Security
Start by searching for Windows Security. Click the Start menu or press the Windows key and type “Windows Security”. Easy as. Alternatively, you can go via Settings > Privacy & Security > Windows Security. This is where all your security controls are, and you’ll want to tweak a few options here.
Finding Device Security
Once inside, look for “Device Security” and click on it. Think of this as the control centre for your hardware protection. It’ll show you what’s happening security-wise and offer options related to core isolation. And yes, Memory Integrity lives under this section, so once you get here, the fun begins.
Accessing Core Isolation Details
Next, click on the link that says “Core isolation details”. There, you’ll see the toggle for Memory Integrity. Usually, it’s turned on by default. If you prefer, you can also disable it through the Registry, but let’s keep things simple for now.
Turning Off Memory Integrity
Here’s the important part: find the “Memory integrity” switch and turn it off. Sometimes, you’ll need to restart your PC for the changes to take effect. If you can’t click the toggle, it might be because hardware virtualisation is still enabled in your BIOS/UEFI settings — which can be a bit of a hassle:
Shut down your PC, reboot into BIOS/UEFI (usually press F2, DEL, or ESC at startup), locate “Intel VT-x” or “AMD-V”, and disable it.If all else fails, you can also disable Hyper-V using PowerShell with this command:
Disable-WindowsOptionalFeature -Online -FeatureName Microsoft-Hyper-V-AllDon’t forget to restart once you’ve made these changes.
Final Steps
After turning it off and rebooting, your system should be ready to go. Applications that previously wouldn’t run might now work smoothly — but be aware, your PC’s security might be a tad weaker. Remember to switch Memory Integrity back on when you no longer need to run those pesky programs.
If you need to re-enable it later, just follow the same steps but toggle it back to “On”. And don’t forget to restart again.
A Quick Word on Safety
Before disabling this security feature, check if your device drivers have updates. Manufacturers often release patches to fix bugs that don’t require messing with security settings. You can do this via Device Manager > right-click device > Update driver. Also, updating your BIOS/UEFI firmware can help prevent complications — it’s worth a look.
Make sure to back up important data first. This process can carry risks, and accidental mishaps are possible. Disabling Memory Integrity does lower your protection, so only do it temporarily — turn it back on once your troubleshooting is complete.
Wrapping It Up
Knowing how to disable Memory Integrity on Windows 11 can save you heaps of time. While it helps keep your PC safe, it can get in the way of certain apps. The key is to find the right balance — disable it only when necessary and re-enable it as soon as you can.
- Open Windows Security from the Start menu or press Windows key + I.
- Navigate to Device Security, then click on Core isolation details.
- Switch off Memory integrity and restart if needed.
- Be sure to turn it back on when you’re finished.
Hopefully, this saves someone a few hours of head-scratching!