How to Disable VBS and Speed Up Windows 11
Virtualization-based security, aka VBS, allows Windows 11 to create a secure memory enclave that's isolated from unsafe code. Another built-in feature called Hypervisor-Enforced Code Integrity (HVCI) uses the capabilities of VBS to prevent unsigned or questionable drivers and software from getting into memory. Together VBS and HVCI add a layer of protection that limits how much damage malware can do, even if it gets past your antivirus software.
VBS and HVCI have a significant performance cost, particularly when it comes to gaming. In our tests, we found that games ran as much as 5 percent slower with these settings on as with them off. Others have seen even bigger deltas; our colleagues at PC Gamer saw drops of 25 percent, though they tested with a 10th Gen Intel CPU when Microsoft recommends no less than an 11th processor.
If you're using Windows 11 and performance, particularly gaming performance, matters most to you, we'll show you how to check to see if VBS / HVCI is enabled and how to turn it off. However, if you're not gaming, you may want to leave the security in place.
How to Check if VBS is Enabled in Windows 11
Before you start thinking about turning off VBS, you need to find out if it's on in the first place.
1. Open system information. The easiest way to do that is by searching for "system information" in Windows search and clicking the top result.
2. Scroll down to find the "Virtualization-based security" row. If it says "running," VBS is enabled. But if it says "not enabled," then you're done.
How to Disable VBS / HVCI in Windows 11
1. Search for Core Isolation in Windows search and click the top result.
2. Click Windows Security and Ok if asked what app to use. A submenu opens.
3. Toggle Memory Integrity to off, if it was on. If it is not on, skip ahead to step 6
4. Reboot your PC as prompted..
5. Check system info again to see if virtualization-based security is listed as "not enabled." If so, you are done. If not, go to step 6 where you'll disable VBS in the registry.
6. Open regedit. The easiest way is by hitting Windows + R, entering regedit in the text box and click Ok.
8. Open Enable Virtualization Based Security and set it to 0.
9. Close regedit and reboot your PC.
At this point, you should see that VBS is disabled in the system info app.