Windows 11 includes a feature called Virtualization-Based Security (VBS). VBS creates a secure, isolated region of memory in the background to protect your operating system from malicious code and advanced malware. While this significantly improves system security, it comes at a noticeable cost to performance.
If you are a PC gamer, VBS can reduce your frame rates (FPS) by up to 10% in CPU-intensive titles. If you are building a dedicated gaming rig where every frame matters, and you are confident in your safe browsing habits, you can disable VBS to unlock the maximum potential of your hardware.
How to Check if VBS is Enabled
Before making changes, you should check if the feature is actually running on your system.
- Click the Start button, type System Information, and press Enter.
- Scroll down the right-hand pane until you find the row labelled Virtualisation-based security.
- If the value says “Running”, VBS is active. If it says “Not enabled,” you are already getting maximum gaming performance.
How to Disable VBS via Windows Security
The safest way to disable VBS is through the built-in Windows Security dashboard.
- Click the Start button, type Core Isolation, and press Enter to open the Windows Security app directly to the correct page.
- Look for the toggle switch labelled Memory integrity.
- Click the switch to turn it Off.
- A User Account Control prompt will appear asking for permission. Click Yes.
- Windows will prompt you to restart your computer. You must restart your PC for the changes to take effect.
After your computer reboots, VBS will be disabled. You can open your favourite games and run a benchmark; you should see a measurable increase in your average frame rates and fewer stuttering issues.