The Secret Windows 11 Setting Slowing Down Your PC: How to Disable VBS
If you’ve recently upgraded to Windows 11 and noticed that your games aren't running as smoothly as they did on Windows 10, you aren't alone. Many users are reporting lower FPS, sudden stutters, and even app crashes.
The culprit? A default feature called Virtualization-Based Security (VBS).
In this post, we’ll break down what VBS is, why it might be eating up your CPU, and how you can disable it to reclaim up to 25% of your performance.
What is VBS (Virtualization-Based Security)?
Think of VBS as a security guard sitting between your apps and your computer's hardware.
Normally, when you launch a game, it talks directly to your CPU and GPU. With VBS enabled, Windows creates a "secure world" isolated from the rest of the OS. Before any app can access your hardware, it has to pass through a checkpoint where the "security guard" checks to make sure the app isn't malicious.
While this makes your computer much more secure against advanced attacks, it isn't free. That extra step requires system resources, leading to higher CPU usage and delays.
The Performance Hit: Is Your PC Affected?
The impact of VBS depends heavily on how old your hardware is:
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Modern Hardware (Intel 12th Gen+ / Ryzen 5000+): You’ll likely only see a 3% to 5% performance drop. It’s barely noticeable.
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Older Hardware (Pre-Intel 10th Gen / AMD Zen 1): You could see a performance hit of 25% to 30%.
For example, if you're running an Intel 9th Gen processor, VBS can cause significant stuttering in games and slow down your SSD's write speeds.
Should You Disable It?
Before proceeding, remember: VBS is a security feature.
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Keep it ON if: You use your PC primarily for office work, handle sensitive data, or want the highest possible protection against malware.
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Turn it OFF if: You are a gamer or power user struggling with performance, stutters, or lag in heavy applications like Virtual Machines.
How to Disable VBS (Step-by-Step)
Step 1: The Simple Method (Core Isolation)
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Open the Start Menu and search for Windows Security.
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Go to Device Security > Core Isolation details.
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Toggle Memory Integrity to Off.
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Restart your computer.
Step 2: Verify if it worked
Sometimes, Windows keeps VBS running even after you toggle that switch. To check:
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Search for System Information in your Start menu and open it.
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Scroll down the "System Summary" list to find Virtualization-based security.
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If it says "Not enabled" or "Enabled but not running," you are good to go! If it still says "Running," you need the advanced method.
Step 3: The Advanced Method (Official Microsoft Tool)
If VBS is locked to your UEFI, you’ll need to use the official Microsoft tool to force it off.
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Download the Device Guard and Credential Guard hardware readiness tool from Microsoft's official download page.
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Extract the ZIP file.
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Open Terminal (PowerShell) as an Administrator.
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Navigate to the folder where you extracted the tool (e.g.,
cd C:\Users\Name\Downloads\dgreadiness). -
Run the following command:
.\DG_Readiness_Tool_v3.6.ps1 -Disable(Note: If you get a script error, runSet-ExecutionPolicy RemoteSigned -Scope Processfirst, then try again.) -
Select "Run Once" (Press R).
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Restart your PC. During boot-up, you may see a blue screen asking if you want to disable VBS/Virtualization. Press F3 or the Windows Key as prompted to confirm.
Final Thoughts
Disabling VBS can breathe new life into older gaming rigs running Windows 11. It restores that "Windows 10 smoothness" that many feel they lost in the upgrade. Just remember to practice good "internet hygiene"—don't click suspicious links or download untrusted files—since you are removing a layer of the OS's built-in armor.
Official Resources: