October DealsAmazon USOctober deal check: compare before you payAmazon US: current deals, useful picks and tech finds.Check DealsWindows FixRecommendedWindows errors stealing your time? Find the fix fastScan stability, cleanup and performance issues.Fix NowOctober DealsAmazon USDeal season is back - check today's better picksAmazon US: current deals, useful picks and tech finds.See Picks×
Skip to content
Redmond desk2 min

How to Turn On Memory Integrity in Windows 10 and 11

Turn on Memory integrity under Windows Security’s Core isolation details, and learn what to check if virtualization or an incompatible driver blocks it.
Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

To enable Memory integrity, open Windows Security > Device security > Core isolation details, then switch on Memory integrity. The setting is also known as Hypervisor-protected Code Integrity (HVCI) and requires hardware virtualization to be enabled in UEFI or BIOS.

What Memory integrity does

Memory integrity uses hardware virtualization to create an isolated environment that helps protect kernel code. This makes it harder for malicious programs to use low-level drivers to hijack a PC. Windows 10 and Windows 11 support the feature, but the Core isolation page and its controls can vary by Windows version and installed hardware. Microsoft’s Device security guidance describes the feature and its location.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Enable Memory integrity

  1. Open Windows Security. You can also go through Start > Settings > Privacy & security > Windows Security > Device security in Windows 11. Windows 10 may use different top-level Settings labels.
  2. Select Device security, then open Core isolation details.
  3. Find Memory integrity and switch it on.
  4. Restart the PC if Windows asks you to. The change takes effect after a restart.

If Memory integrity will not turn on

Check hardware virtualization

Memory integrity requires hardware virtualization to be enabled in UEFI or BIOS; many PCs already have it enabled. To reach UEFI from Windows, use Settings > System > Recovery > Advanced startup > Restart now. In Windows 10, the route is Settings > Update & Security > Recovery. From the advanced startup options, choose the option to enter UEFI firmware settings. The exact firmware screens and steps vary by manufacturer, so follow the PC maker’s instructions. See Microsoft’s Windows recovery options.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Resolve an incompatible-driver warning

Windows may identify a driver that cannot work with Memory integrity. First check Windows Update or the device or driver manufacturer for a compatible update. If no compatible driver is available, Microsoft says you may be able to remove the device or the app that uses it. Do not delete driver files manually; Microsoft’s guidance does not recommend that as a fix. Microsoft’s Memory integrity and Core isolation guidance covers driver compatibility.

Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Support on Ko-Fi

When to switch Memory integrity off

If an essential device or app depends on a driver Windows blocks, switching Memory integrity off may allow that driver to load, but it reduces this security protection. The affected device or app may still not work as expected. On a Secured-core PC, disabling Memory integrity takes the device out of its Secured-core state. The setting change takes effect after a restart. Prefer a compatible driver update or removing the affected device or app when practical, rather than leaving the protection off.

Quick Recap

Bestseller No. 1
Bestseller No. 2
Dell Latitude 5420 14' FHD Business Laptop Computer, Intel Quad-Core i5-1145G7, 16GB DDR4 RAM, 256GB SSD, Camera, HDMI, Windows 11 Pro (Renewed)
Dell Latitude 5420 14" FHD Business Laptop Computer, Intel Quad-Core i5-1145G7, 16GB DDR4 RAM, 256GB SSD, Camera, HDMI, Windows 11 Pro (Renewed)
256 GB SSD of storage.; Multitasking is easy with 16GB of RAM; Equipped with a blazing fast Core i5 2.00 GHz processor.
$285.00
Bestseller No. 3
HP 14' HD Laptop, Windows 11, Intel Celeron Dual-Core Processor Up to 2.60GHz, 4GB RAM, 64GB SSD, Webcam, Dale Pink (Renewed)
HP 14" HD Laptop, Windows 11, Intel Celeron Dual-Core Processor Up to 2.60GHz, 4GB RAM, 64GB SSD, Webcam, Dale Pink (Renewed)
14" diagonal, 1366x768 resolution, HD BrightView LED, Glossy NON-TOUCH Display
$245.99
Rank #4
Windows 11 Laptop with i3 Processor 15.6" Work Laptop for College Students
  • 【Efficient Performance】 Powered by Intel Core i3 processor (2 cores, 4 threads, up to 3.4GHz) with 12GB RAM and 256GB SSD. Handles multitasking, office software, online classes, and HD video streaming smoothly. Integrated Intel UHD Graphics 620
  • Backlit Keyboard & Complete Package】Comes with a cool backlit keyboard. Comes with awebcam, dual stereo speakers (8Ω/1.0W each), DC charger, and user manual – ready for late-night studying, online classes, video conferencing, and daily productivity
  • 【Vibrant Display】 15.6-inch Full HD (1920x1080) anti-glare screen with 16:9 aspect ratio delivers crisp images and vivid colors – perfect for studying, watching lectures, or entertainment. Thin-bezel design maximizes viewing area
  • 【Fast Connectivity & Expansion】 Equipped with WiFi 6 (802.11ax) and Bluetooth 5.2 for stable, high-speed wireless. Features 3 x USB 3.0, HDMI 2.1, Type-C (supports PD3.0 fast charging), and a TF card slot expandable up to 2TB – easily connect external monitors, mice, drives, or expand storage for all your files
  • 【Long Battery Life & Portable】 Built-in 11.55V 5000mAh/57.75Wh high-capacity battery delivers approximately 7 hours of mixed-use battery life – enough for a full day of classes and assignments. Lightweight at just 1.63kg (3.6 lbs) and 19.5mm thin, plus a compact packing size – easily slips into a backpack for campus, library, or coffee shop
Rank #3
Rank #2
Dell Latitude 5420 14" FHD Business Laptop Computer, Intel Quad-Core i5-1145G7, 16GB DDR4 RAM, 256GB SSD, Camera, HDMI, Windows 11 Pro (Renewed)
  • 256 GB SSD of storage.
  • Multitasking is easy with 16GB of RAM
  • Equipped with a blazing fast Core i5 2.00 GHz processor.

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

What’s actually slowing this PC down?

Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

More from the Wire

  1. World desk4 min
    How to Spot an AI Voice Scam Before Sending MoneyDon’t rely on how a caller sounds. Pause, call back through a known number, and verify the emergency with another trusted person before sending money.
  2. Mountain View desk4 min
    Google’s SynthID Detector: How to Check AI-Generated Images, Video and AudioGoogle’s SynthID Detector looks for an embedded watermark in supported images, video and audio. Here is what its results do—and do not—show.
  3. Redmond desk20 min
    How to create a link to File or Folder in Windows 11Windows 11 gives you several ways to point to a file or folder without moving or duplicating it. You can create a desktop shortcut,…
Recommended PC Tool
Recommended PC Tool
Windows Errors? Fix Them Before They SpreadFree repair scan
Outdated Drivers Are Slowing You DownFree scan - exact matches

Two free Windows tools

One Free Minute Could Fix That PC

Before you go - each of these free tools takes about a minute and tackles what quietly slows a Windows PC down.

Special offer. View Outbyte info, uninstall instructions, EULA, and Privacy Policy.