Understanding And Disabling Virtualization-Based Security (VBS) In Windows 11

Windows 11 impacts gaming performance to an extent. What’s the reason for the gaming performance hit, you ask? Well, it’s said to be due to Microsoft’s implementation of Virtualization-based Security (VBS). If you find that your Windows 11 gaming setup is not as snappy as it used to be, you might want to disable VBS. In this article, we have compiled several methods you can follow to disable VBS in Windows 11.

What is Virtualization-Based Security (VBS) in Windows 11?

Virtualization-Based Security (VBS) is a security feature in Windows 11 and Windows 10 that creates an isolated region of memory for security features. This virtual secure mode is established using Windows hypervisor technology and operates separately from the rest of the operating system. By isolating security processes, VBS helps ensure that even if the operating system is compromised, the critical security functions remain protected.

According to Microsoft, VBS can reduce the impact of kernel-level malware attacks. A key security feature enabled through VBS is memory integrity, also known as Hypervisor-protected code integrity (HVCI). This feature checks all kernel-mode drivers and binaries before they are launched, blocking any unsigned drivers or system files that may pose a security risk.

Notably, VBS isn’t a new Windows 11 feature; it has been around for years in Windows 10. However, what's new is the enforcement of this feature. While VBS was optional in Windows 10, Microsoft started enabling it by default for some PCs as of late 2019. This means that many users of Windows 11 may find VBS enabled out of the box.

Impact of VBS on Gaming Performance

Despite its security benefits, you might be wondering why you should disable VBS in your Windows 11 machine, especially since it is a useful security feature. According to benchmark tests conducted by PC Gamer and Tom’s Hardware, enabling VBS can negatively impact performance, particularly when using your Windows PC for gaming.

If you are experiencing FPS drops or sluggish performance in games on your Windows 11 machine, disabling VBS may help enhance your gaming experience. It's important to weigh the benefits of improved performance against the potential security risks involved with disabling such a feature.

Pros and Cons of Disabling VBS on Windows 11

Advantages of Disabling VBS

• Improvement in gaming performance
• Recommended for low-end gaming PCs that struggle with resource management

Disadvantages of Disabling VBS

• Weakened security posture, making the system more vulnerable to attacks
• Potential issues with Hyper-V or other virtualization-related features if you use virtual machines

Checking Your VBS Status in Windows 11

If you wish to check whether VBS is enabled on your Windows 11 PC, follow these simple steps:

• Press the Win key to access the Start Menu, type ‘System Information’ or ‘msinfo32’ in the search box, and click on Open.
• Under the System Summary section, locate ‘Virtualization-based security’ on the right pane. If it shows as Running, VBS is enabled; if it states ‘Not enabled,’ then VBS is turned off.

Methods to Disable Virtualization-Based Security (VBS)

Method 1: Disable VBS from Settings

To disable VBS via settings, open Windows Search, type ‘Core isolation’, and select ‘Open’. Check if the ‘Memory integrity’ toggle is enabled by default. If it is, simply turn off the ‘Memory integrity’ toggle to disable VBS. Windows Security will prompt you to restart your PC, click on ‘Restart’ to complete the process.

Method 2: Remove Windows Components to Disable VBS

You can also disable VBS by removing specific Windows components. Search for ‘Windows features’ after pressing the Windows key and select ‘Open’. Uncheck the options for Windows Hypervisor Platform, Virtual Machine Platform, and Microsoft Defender Application Guard. After unchecking these options, click ‘OK’ to apply the changes.

Method 3: Registry Editor to Disable VBS

Another option is to use the Registry Editor. Open Windows Search, type ‘regedit’ or ‘Registry Editor’, and click on ‘Open’. Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\DeviceGuard. Double-click on EnableVirtualizationBasedSecurity and change its value to 0. Restart your PC afterward to apply the changes.

Method 4: Group Policy Editor to Disable VBS

This method is not available on Windows Home editions. Open the Run window using the keyboard shortcut ‘Win + R’, type ‘gpedit.msc’, and hit OK. Navigate to Local Computer Policy\Computer Configuration\Administrative Templates\System\Device Guard. Double-click ‘Turn on Virtualization Based Security’ and select ‘Disabled’ before clicking OK to save the changes.

Disabling VBS can help improve gaming performance, but consider the security implications before doing so. It's a tough decision that balances performance with safety. If you're struggling with gaming on your Windows 11 PC, try these methods to see if they make a difference!