Technology
Microsoft to expand rollout of memory integrity security feature on Windows 11
Upcoming quality updates will activate Virtualization-based Security on eligible systems, a feature known to potentially affect gaming performance.
The short version
- Microsoft announced it will begin enabling memory integrity protection on eligible Windows 11 devices starting next month.
- The rollout will be delivered through standard Windows quality updates and will also activate Virtualization-based Security (VBS) where not already present.
- While designed to block malicious kernel-level drivers and code, the feature has previously been noted by Microsoft to impact gaming performance.
Key facts
- Microsoft plans to enable memory integrity protection and Virtualization-based Security (VBS) on eligible Windows 11 devices via upcoming quality updates next month.[The Verge]
- Microsoft group program manager Peter Waxman confirmed that the rollout targets eligible systems where these security features are not currently active.[The Verge]
- The memory integrity feature provides kernel-level defenses against malicious code and unauthorized drivers, though Microsoft has acknowledged it can degrade PC gaming performance.[The Verge]
What remains uncertain
- The specific criteria defining which Windows 11 devices are classified as eligible for this update were not detailed.[The Verge]