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To turn off Memory integrity, open Windows Security > Device security > Core isolation details, switch Memory integrity off, and restart your PC. Turning it off lowers protection against malicious code that could exploit kernel drivers, so if an incompatible driver prompted the change, first check for a compatible update.
What Memory integrity does
Memory integrity, also known as Hypervisor-protected Code Integrity (HVCI), uses hardware virtualization to help protect Windows kernel code integrity. Microsoft says it makes it harder for malicious programs to use low-level drivers to hijack a PC. The control’s availability and presentation can vary with Windows version and installed hardware. Microsoft’s Device Security overview explains the feature and its location.
Turn Memory integrity off
- Open Windows Security.
- Select Device security, then Core isolation details.
- Switch Memory integrity off.
- Restart your PC. The setting change takes effect after a restart.
After restarting, check whether the device or application that prompted the change works. Turning Memory integrity off reduces protection; on a Secured-core PC, Microsoft says the device no longer remains in its Secured-core state while the feature is off. Microsoft’s instructions for a driver that can’t load describe the toggle and restart.
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If an incompatible driver prompted the change
When Windows reports that a driver can’t load, note the driver and company names shown in the warning. Prefer keeping Memory integrity enabled and addressing the driver if possible:
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- Check Windows Update for a compatible driver.
- Check the device manufacturer’s support page for an updated driver compatible with Memory integrity.
- If no compatible driver is available, consider removing the related device or the app that installed or uses the driver.
If the driver is essential and must continue loading, turning Memory integrity off is an option, but it means accepting lower protection. The right choice depends on whether the device or application is essential, whether an updated driver exists, and your security requirements. Microsoft discusses these choices in its Device Security guidance.
If you can’t change the setting
The setting is managed by an administrator
If Windows says an administrator manages the setting, or the control is unavailable on a work or school PC, contact your organization’s IT administrator. Policy may prevent a local change.
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The setting is locked by UEFI
Some deployments use a UEFI lock, which can require access to UEFI/BIOS settings to turn Memory integrity off. Microsoft’s technical guidance notes that disabling Secure Boot may be required in this situation. This is not a routine step: don’t change Secure Boot or other firmware settings unless you have confirmed that a UEFI lock is involved and understand the device’s security and boot requirements. Follow Microsoft’s technical instructions for virtualization-based protection of code integrity.
If Windows becomes unstable or won’t start
Microsoft warns that incompatible applications or device drivers may malfunction and, rarely, cause a boot failure when Memory integrity is enabled. Its documented recovery guidance uses the Windows Recovery Environment to disable the HVCI setting; UEFI-locked configurations have additional Secure Boot requirements. Because recovery steps depend on how the device is configured, use Microsoft’s HVCI recovery instructions rather than making ad hoc registry or firmware changes.
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