How to Disable HVCI (Memory Integrity) in Windows 10

HVCI (Hypervisor-Protected Code Integrity) is a Windows security feature that Windows Security calls Memory integrity, under Core isolation. It uses virtualization to stop malicious or unsigned code from getting into the core of Windows. It’s a good protection to keep on, but it can block older drivers, prevent some apps or games from launching, or cost a little performance. This guide shows how to turn it off on Windows 10 (and Windows 11), how to find the driver causing trouble, and when to turn it back on.

Quick Answer

Open Windows Security, go to Device security > Core isolation details, turn Memory integrity off, and restart your PC.

Before You Disable It

• Memory integrity protects against a class of attacks that load malicious drivers. Turning it off makes your PC somewhat less secure.
• If a single driver is the problem, updating or removing that driver is better than disabling the feature (see below).
• On work or school PCs, it may be required by your organization; settings may be locked.

Method 1: Windows Security (Recommended)

1. Click Start, type Windows Security, and open it. (Or search for Core isolation directly.)
2. Click Device security.
3. Under Core isolation, click Core isolation details.
4. Turn Memory integrity to Off. Click Yes at the User Account Control prompt.
5. Restart your PC.

After restarting, Windows Security shows a warning that memory integrity is off. You can dismiss it.

Method 2: Registry Editor

Use this if the toggle is grayed out or won’t stay off. Back up the registry first.

1. Press Windows + R, type regedit, and press Enter.
2. Go to:
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\DeviceGuard\Scenarios\HypervisorEnforcedCodeIntegrity
3. Double-click Enabled and set it to 0. (If it doesn’t exist, create a new DWORD (32-bit) Value named Enabled with value 0.)
4. Restart.

Method 3: Group Policy (Pro, Enterprise, Education)

1. Press Windows + R, type gpedit.msc, and press Enter.
2. Go to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > System > Device Guard.
3. Open Turn On Virtualization Based Security.
4. Either set it to Disabled (turns off all virtualization-based security), or leave it Enabled and set Virtualization Based Protection of Code Integrity to Disabled.
5. Click OK and restart.

If this policy is set to Enabled with a UEFI lock, it can’t be turned off from Windows alone; that setup is usually done by IT.

Find the Driver That Blocks Memory Integrity

If Windows says memory integrity can’t be turned on, or an app fails because of it, an incompatible driver is usually to blame.

1. On the Core isolation page, click Review incompatible drivers (it appears when a problem driver is found).
2. Note the driver’s file name (for example, something.sys) and its publisher.
3. Update the related software or device driver from the manufacturer’s website, or uninstall the program that installed it.
4. Turn memory integrity back on and restart.

Common culprits include old versions of hardware monitoring tools, RGB lighting utilities, virtual drive software, and outdated anti-cheat or VPN drivers.

Check Whether HVCI Is Running

1. Press Windows + R, type msinfo32, and press Enter.
2. In System Summary, look at Virtualization-based security Services Running. If it lists Hypervisor enforced Code Integrity, HVCI is on.

Does Disabling HVCI Improve Performance?

On modern processors the performance impact is usually small. On older CPUs, or in some games, turning it off can give a modest frame rate boost. If you disable it for gaming, consider turning it back on afterward, or check whether the game’s anti-cheat actually requires it on, since some newer titles do.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is HVCI the same as Core isolation?

Core isolation is the group of features; Memory integrity is HVCI. Turning off memory integrity is what people mean by disabling HVCI.

Why is the Memory integrity toggle grayed out?

It’s controlled by Group Policy, the registry, or your organization’s device management. Check Methods 2 and 3, or ask IT.

Do I need virtualization enabled in the BIOS?

For HVCI to run, yes. Turning off virtualization (VT-x or AMD-V/SVM) in the BIOS also stops HVCI, but it breaks other features like WSL 2 and virtual machines, so use the methods above instead.

Summary

1. Open Windows Security > Device security > Core isolation details.
2. Turn off Memory integrity and restart.
3. Use the registry or Group Policy if the toggle is grayed out.
4. Better yet, update or remove the incompatible driver and keep HVCI on.