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How to Turn Off Memory Integrity in Windows—and What to Check First

Turn off Memory integrity in Windows Security and restart—but first check whether an incompatible driver has a safe update.

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To turn off Memory integrity, open Windows Security > Device security > Core isolation details, switch Memory integrity off, then restart your PC. Do this only if you understand the security trade-off: the feature helps protect Windows kernel code from malicious drivers and other low-level attacks. If an incompatible driver is the reason you want to disable it, check for a compatible update before turning protection off.

Turn off Memory integrity

  1. Open Windows Security. You can search for it from the Start menu.
  2. Select Device security, then Core isolation details.
  3. Switch Memory integrity off.
  4. Restart the PC. The setting does not take effect until after a restart.

The exact layout can vary with your Windows version and hardware. If you do not see the setting, your device may not expose it in the same way.

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Understand what changes when it is off

Memory integrity, also called Hypervisor-protected Code Integrity (HVCI), uses hardware virtualization to help protect Windows kernel code. Turning it off can allow a driver that Windows blocks to load, but it reduces that protection. Microsoft also notes that a Secured-core PC no longer remains in its Secured-core state while Memory integrity is off. Microsoft explains Memory integrity in the Windows Security app.

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If an incompatible driver prompted you

When Windows says a driver cannot load, note the driver and company names shown in the warning. Try to keep Memory integrity on by resolving the driver issue first.

  1. Check Windows Update for a compatible driver.
  2. Check the device manufacturer’s support page for an updated driver compatible with your Windows version.
  3. If no compatible driver is available, consider removing the associated device or app if you do not need it.
  4. If the driver is essential and must continue to load, you can turn Memory integrity off, accepting the reduced protection.

Microsoft says incompatible drivers or applications may malfunction when Memory integrity is enabled and, rarely, may cause a boot failure. Its support guidance for a driver that cannot load describes the off switch and restart requirement: A driver can’t load on this device.

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If you cannot change the setting

  • The control is greyed out or says an administrator manages it: Contact your organization’s IT administrator. A work or school policy may control the setting.
  • The switch turns off but protection remains enabled: Some configurations use a UEFI lock, which can require changes in UEFI/BIOS rather than the ordinary Windows toggle. Microsoft documents additional requirements for these configurations, including Secure Boot considerations. Do not change Secure Boot or firmware settings as a routine troubleshooting step; follow the instructions for your specific deployment or get help from IT.
  • The PC will not start after a related change: Microsoft documents a recovery procedure through Windows Recovery Environment for HVCI-related boot problems. UEFI-locked configurations have additional Secure Boot requirements, so use Microsoft’s technical guidance rather than improvising registry or firmware changes: Enable virtualization-based protection of code integrity.

Choose between updating the driver and disabling protection

Choice When it fits Trade-off
Keep Memory integrity on; update or remove the incompatible driver, device, or app A compatible driver is available, or the related device or app is not essential. Preserves Memory integrity protection, but the device or app may not work until the driver issue is resolved.
Turn Memory integrity off The driver is essential and must load, and no compatible update is available. May let the driver load, but lowers protection against threats that exploit low-level drivers.

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