Microsoft is enabling a Windows 11 security feature that can hurt gaming performance

<figure> <img alt="Windows logo on black background" data-caption="" data-portal-copyright="Image: Cath Virginia / The Verge" data-has-syndication-rights="1" src="https://platform.theverge.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/08/STK109_WINDOWS_A.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;crop=0,0,100,100" /> <figcaption> </figcaption> </figure> <p class="wp-block-paragraph">Microsoft is getting ready to roll out its memory integrity security feature of Windows 11 to more devices next month. The kernel-level protection feature is designed to stop malicious code or drivers running on a Windows 11 machine, but Microsoft <a href="https://www.theverge.com/2022/10/6/23390623/microsoft-windows-11-disable-security-features-improve-gaming-performance">previously warned</a> it can also impact PC gaming performance.</p> <p class="wp-block-paragraph">"Windows quality updates will begin enabling memory integrity protection on eligible devices," <a href="https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/blog/windows-itpro-blog/expanding-memory-integrity-protection-across-windows-devices/4551984">says Peter Waxman</a>, group program manager at Microsoft. "If not already enabled, these updates will also enable Virtualization-based Security (VBS), helping make additional security capabilities available and reflecting our commitment to making W …</p> <p><a href="https://www.theverge.com/news/988056/microsoft-windows-11-memory-integrity-rollout-october-2026">Read the full story at The Verge.</a></p>