Windows 11’s subsequent safety function could price you gaming efficiency

What does it truly do? Well, Memory Integrity ensures that solely verified kernel-mode code is loaded on the PC, blocking unsigned rootkits and elevating the barrier to driver-based kernel assaults. The aim is for Windows 11 to be higher protected in opposition to malware assaults.

Before Windows permits this function, it can examine eligible computer systems and confirm whether or not the machine is prepared for it. According to this assist web page, Memory Integrity requires the next {hardware}:

• Eighth-generation Intel processor or newer
• AMD Zen 2 or newer
• Qualcomm Snapdragon 8180 or newer
• At least 8GB of RAM on x64 techniques
• A 64GB SSD with firmware-enabled virtualization
• Drivers with confirmed compatibility with Memory Integrity

However, this function has a serious downside: Memory Integrity can apparently decelerate video games. Tom’s Hardware measured years in the past that HVCI mixed with VBS (Virtualization-Based Security) causes video games to run as much as 15 p.c slower. VBS can also be enabled as a part of this replace, offering extra security measures.

According to Tom’s Hardware, Microsoft confirmed in 2022 that “Memory Integrity and Virtual Machine Platform could affect gaming performance on some Windows 11 configurations, and advised gamers prioritizing performance that they could temporarily disable these protections while playing, warning that doing so reduces security.”

Gaming efficiency losses are most probably to be noticeable on computer systems with older {hardware}. Tom’s Hardware continued, saying that Microsoft’s steering for players beneficial “temporarily disabling Memory Integrity and VMP where they interfere with gaming performance.”