Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsDenuvo Anti-Tamper is an anti-piracy technology used in some PC games to make their code harder to crack or modify. Its effect on performance, internet access, and uninstall behavior depends on the individual game and the publisher’s implementation; there is no supported universal FPS penalty or single set of requirements for every Denuvo-protected title.
What is Denuvo Anti-Tamper?
Denuvo is a family of game-security products from Irdeto. Its Anti-Tamper/Anti-Piracy technology is designed to deter cracking and unauthorized modification. Irdeto describes measures including code obfuscation and integrity checks at startup and during runtime. See Irdeto’s overview of game anti-piracy and its Anti-Piracy datasheet.
Anti-Tamper is not Anti-Cheat
These names refer to different purposes. Anti-Tamper/Anti-Piracy aims to make unauthorized copying or modification more difficult. Denuvo Anti-Cheat is intended to detect and block cheating during play. A game’s use of one should not be taken as evidence that it uses the other.
Does Denuvo affect PC game performance?
Irdeto says its technology preserves performance and has no perceived impact. That is the vendor’s claim, not proof that every game implementation has zero cost. The available sources do not establish one FPS or frame-time figure that applies to all Denuvo games.
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#1 Best Overall
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- FIGHT SOLO OR CO-OP: Wreaking havoc across Kairos is awesome alone and even better with friends in 2-player splitscreen or up to 4-player online co-op.** Borderlands 4 is designed for co-op from the ground up; whether you're hunting for loot, tackling missions, or wandering freely, level scaling and individual difficulty keeps the party together and having fun.
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To judge a performance claim, look for a comparison of the same game with closely matched conditions: the exact version and patch, hardware, graphics settings, and test scene. Ideally, Denuvo should be the only variable changed. Comparing different patches can’t isolate its effect because other game changes may also affect performance.
- What the vendor says: Irdeto claims no perceived performance impact.
- What that does not establish: That every title, build, or PC will have identical performance with and without the technology.
- What useful evidence looks like: Version-matched testing with disclosed hardware, settings, scene, and measured FPS or frame times.
Does Denuvo require an internet connection?
Not in every implementation. Irdeto’s datasheet says its Anti-Piracy product does not require an always-online connection, but the game publisher’s own licensing terms may impose authentication requirements.
Rank #2
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For example, Square Enix’s disclosure for DRAGON QUEST MONSTERS: The Withered World, last updated September 9, 2026, says an internet connection is required to verify the license and that the protection may download authentication data. That is a requirement for that specific game, not a rule for all Denuvo titles. Check the current disclosure for the game you intend to play: Square Enix’s PC content-protection disclosure.
Can Denuvo files remain after uninstalling a game?
It depends on the title. Square Enix’s disclosure for DRAGON QUEST MONSTERS: The Withered World says certain anti-tamper files may remain after the software is uninstalled. This is a game-specific statement, not a guarantee that files remain—or are always removed—for every Denuvo-protected game. Consult the relevant publisher’s disclosure for details.
Rank #3
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- MAKE COMPLETE MAYHEM: Venture across the desert planet of Pandora and the brutal worlds beyond, playing as badass Vault Hunters in search of legendary loot. Every Borderlands game is packed with larger-than-life characters, treacherous worlds, and unforgettable stories.
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Why do publishers remove Denuvo?
Publishers decide whether to use or remove Anti-Tamper, and a change may require a game update. Their reasons can include player feedback and plans for configurability or modding, alongside the original anti-piracy purpose.
Hi-Fi RUSH: a dated removal notice and required patch
On December 4, 2025, KRAFTON said Denuvo support for the PC version of Hi-Fi RUSH was scheduled to end at 00:00 KST on January 16, 2026. The notice said players would need a new patch by that deadline to continue playing. KRAFTON also said its own anti-tampering features would remain. The announcement describes that title’s change and should not be read as a general update procedure: KRAFTON’s Hi-Fi RUSH notice.
Rank #4
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- Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a ground-breaking turn-based RPG with unique real-time mechanics, making battles more immersive and addictive than ever.
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inZOI: feedback, configurability, and modding
In a March 26, 2025 announcement, KRAFTON said it had decided to remove Denuvo from the Early Access build of inZOI. Producer and director Kjun cited the game’s original anti-illegal-distribution purpose, community feedback, and a desire to provide more configurability and modding. The announcement also noted that removing Denuvo increases the risk of cracking and illegal distribution, reflecting the studio’s stated assessment: KRAFTON’s inZOI announcement.
How to assess Denuvo in a specific game
Use the game’s own information rather than assuming that another title’s experience applies. Compare the following when evaluating two games or builds:
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- For performance comparisons, the PC hardware, settings, test scene, and measured FPS or frame times.
- Whether the comparison changed anything besides Denuvo, such as a patch or another protection feature.
- The publisher’s stated authentication and connectivity terms.
- For a removal, the publisher’s stated reason, any required patch, and whether another protection remains.
Irdeto’s datasheet also reports a 180-day average crack-free period and more than 1,000 protected games. Those are vendor-reported figures in a datasheet marked © 2023, not independent measurements; they do not predict how long a particular game will remain uncracked or establish a performance result.
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