Turning off Virtualization-Based Security (VBS) in Windows 11 can give your system a bit of a speed boost, especially if you’re into gaming or running heavy apps that tend to lag. It’s one of those features that, honestly, can slow things down since it adds extra security layers. So if you’re troubleshooting or just want a bit more oomph, disabling it might do the trick. Problem is, it’s not exactly straightforward—Windows isn’t keen to let you turn it off easily, because, of course, security has to be a pain. But don’t stress, it’s doable, and once you get it sorted, your CPU-heavy tasks should run a bit smoother. Just remember, disabling this security measure can make your PC more vulnerable, so don’t leave it off forever unless you’re alright with the risks.
How to Turn Off VBS in Windows 11
Getting into Windows Security and Core Isolation Settings
First up, open the Windows Security app. You can do this quick as—just click the search bar next to the Start menu, type “Windows Security,” and give it a click. From there, head over to Device Security. If you don’t see it straight away, make sure you’re in the right section—sometimes Windows updates bugger things up a bit.
Once in Device Security, scroll down a tad and look for Core Isolation Details. Click on that—this is where the real stuff happens. Fair warning, on some setups this page can be a bit sluggy or slow to load, so don’t freak out if it takes a sec.
Turning Off Memory Integrity (VBS Feature)
Inside the Core Isolation window, you’ll see a toggle for Memory Integrity. That’s the main part of VBS you want to switch off. Just flip the switch to off. You might get prompted for admin rights, so accept that. Turning it off frees up some CPU and RAM, which can help your system breathe easier under load. But, remember, it’s this feature that helps protect important parts of your system, so weigh up the trade-off.
Sometimes, this toggle might be greyed out if your system is managed by work policies or certain BIOS settings. If that’s the case, you’ll need to dive into BIOS to turn virtualization off—needing a reboot and some BIOS digging (usually under CPU or Security settings). Not worth messing with unless you’re comfy with BIOS tweaks. For most, the Windows steps should do the trick.
Applying Changes and Rebooting
Once you’ve turned off Memory Integrity, reboot your PC. Essential step—Windows needs to restart to fully disable the feature. Sometimes, after reboot, the toggle might flick back on or show as enabled again, which can be a pain. If that happens, check your BIOS settings: disable virtualization options like Intel VT-x or AMD-V, save, and reboot again.
After the reboot, you should notice your system feels a bit snappier—especially in games or apps that are pretty hungry on hardware. Just keep in mind, doing this might leave your system a bit more exposed, so only do it if you’re okay with that or it’s just temporary. You can always turn it back on by following these steps again and flipping the toggle the other way.
Tips for Turning Off VBS in Windows 11
- Make sure you’ve got a good reason—VBS offers security, but performance often comes first.
- Back up your important data first, just in case something goes sideways during the tweaks.
- If the toggle won’t stick, check your BIOS for virtualization features like “Intel Virtualization Technology” or “AMD-V” and turn them off there.
- Keep Windows up to date—sometimes new updates make disabling features a breeze or a nightmare.
- If you’re not confident, it’s a good idea to ask someone who knows their way around BIOS.
FAQs
What’s VBS all about?
VBS, or Virtualization-Based Security, is Windows’ way of isolating sensitive parts of the OS using hardware virtualisation. It adds extra security layers to keep malware out, but it can slow things down a bit.
Will turning off VBS make my PC less safe?
Yeah, it kind of does. Disabling it drops some of those security protections. If you’re just after better gaming or performance testing, that’s fine, just be aware of the risks.
Can I turn VBS back on later?
Absolutely. Just go back into the settings and flip the switch on again. If you’ve turned off virtualization in BIOS, you’ll need to re-enable it there too.
Does turning off VBS help with gaming?
Usually it does. It frees up resources, so your games might run a bit smoother. Not a guarantee, but definitely worth a try if things are lagging.
Do I need to restart after turning off Memory Integrity?
Yes, you do. Windows needs a reboot to make the change stick. Sometimes a second restart is needed if the toggle resets or re-enables itself.
Summary
- Open Windows Security from the search menu
- Go to Device Security
- Select Core Isolation Details
- Turn off Memory Integrity
- Reboot your PC to set the changes
Final thoughts
Turning off VBS isn’t always straightforward—Windows tends to make it a bit of a hassle. But if you’re chasing better performance for gaming or heavy-duty apps, it can do the trick. Just be mindful you’re lowering some security measures, so weigh up the risks. It’s all about finding that balance between safety and speed, and sometimes, a quick shortcut is the way to go. Hope this helps someone get a bit more pep out of their setup — good luck!