Default Windows VBS Setting Slows Games Up to 10%

[bobcat999 8,503]

21 minutes ago, Seth2021 said:

...Still don't know if ESET  is compatible with this hardware virtualization extra protection of Microsoft.

No nor me, I need to look into it a bit more, but I don't see a lot of issues or warnings on the internet about it being turned off.

Edit:  IOBit, who are fairly well respected, have an article on turning it off to regain performance. 
Aparrently it has been measured as high as 28% performance loss with certain AMD processors.

I also found this: -

Is VBS important Windows 11?
The vast majority of ordinary users do not actually need VBS protection, so after installing Windows 11 or purchasing a Windows 11 computer, the first thing that must be done is to turn off VBS to improve computer performance. Especially for game users, the impact of VBS on game performance is quite obvious.

Edited March 16, 2023 by bobcat999

[DAD 2,660]

I don't even have that VBS / Core Isolation option in my Win11 installation?! Just wondering...

[bobcat999 8,503]

7 minutes ago, DAD said:

I don't even have that VBS / Core Isolation option in my Win11 installation?! Just wondering...

I wonder if it is something that is also switchable in the BIOS, and if it is, then the Windows setting doesn't need to show.

Have you checked the registry for the setting like shown in one of the guides?

[DAD 2,660]

39 minutes ago, bobcat999 said:

checked the registry for the setting like shown in one of t

yep the key is not there. so probably nothing for me to further optimize then

[Ianrivaldosmith 5,317]

2 hours ago, bobcat999 said:

The vast majority of ordinary users do not actually need VBS protection,

Like the rest of the junk that comes with windows 10/11. Anyone ever try atlas? 

[bobcat999 8,503]

14 minutes ago, Ianrivaldosmith said:

...Anyone ever try atlas? 

No but it looks like it could be a world of pain.  You need to install all your drivers and background apps again from scratch for not much benefit. 

Best to just de-junk and optimise W11 I think.

Edited March 16, 2023 by bobcat999

[David Roch 1,983]

Mine was disabled.
I enabled it, and now I can disable it to speed up Windows.

🥳

[bobcat999 8,503]

14 minutes ago, David Roch said:

Mine was disabled.
I enabled it, and now I can disable it to speed up Windows.

🥳

I hope you rebooted between changes or else you will have to redo the process all over again.   

This also works better with HAGS set to automatic mode, or you will get a discombobulated Windows background process manager!   

PS.  What aircraft is that in your avatar picture?

Edited March 16, 2023 by bobcat999

[David Roch 1,983]

44 minutes ago, bobcat999 said:

PS.  What aircraft is that in your avatar picture?

A380 during Le Bourget Airshow in 2017.

Edited March 16, 2023 by David Roch

[peloto 213]

Other thing to try recommended by MS for better gaming apart VBS:

 

https://prod.support.services.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/options-to-optimize-gaming-performance-in-windows-11-a255f612-2949-4373-a566-ff6f3f474613?ranMID=24542&ranEAID=kXQk6*ivFEQ&ranSiteID=kXQk6.ivFEQ-kO7TBbOLBUmYvuOs1s1W4g&epi=kXQk6.ivFEQ-kO7TBbOLBUmYvuOs1s1W4g&irgwc=1&OCID=AID2200057_aff_7593_1243925&tduid=(ir__rdpjgfmyk9kfbnr3hlaqofswf32xqpam1fbjrkyr00)(7593)(1243925)(kXQk6.ivFEQ-kO7TBbOLBUmYvuOs1s1W4g)()&irclickid=_rdpjgfmyk9kfbnr3hlaqofswf32xqpam1fbjrkyr00

 

Turning off Memory Integrity  

1. Select Start , enter ‘Core Isolation’ in the taskbar, and select Core Isolation from the list of results to open the Windows security app.

2. On the Core isolation page, turn off the toggle for Memory Integrity. You might need to restart your device.          

 

My W11 had VBS deactivated though. Core isolation was on as I knew, I have to test, remember to revert to on after the MSFS or gaming session as recommended, at least the Core Isolation I guess.

[marcg11 125]

Mine was on - turned off for now....Went to a few heavy airports where I was running at 49 - 51 fps before the change and after the change I was at 58 - 60 fps  -  but needs more testing obviously to see if there was any stuttering or other performance changes.

[Funky D 275]

I hate to be "that guy", but...

...Microsoft made this the default for a reason. Similar protections have been available on Apple devices for years, but being Apple they force you to use it. Honestly, I wish Microsoft would have gone down the same forceful path, but I digress. At least they require TPM for Win11 (another feature that Apple has forced for years through forced obsolescence of old hardware).

As I understand it, VBS keeps applications from accessing the memory of other applications. Applications shouldn't be doing this to begin with, but bad programming and malware can get around that if VBS is not enabled. An example of how a lack of VBS might be exploited is a bug in an application exploited by a virus in order to obtain your user credentials and file system.

With that out of the way, be mindful of your tolerance for risk before disabling this. Are you tech savvy enough to have never been infected by a virus or do you only use your computer for gaming? By all means, turn this off. Do you make a significant amount of money, have bitcoin or large investments that you access regularly via your computer, and is your name all over the internet? Did you use LastPass on top of that? Yeah, maybe leave it turned on. Do you want to future-proof yourself from tomorrow's unknown threats? Also, good idea to leave this on.

Tom's Hardware is a gaming site. One that, IMHO, hasn't been very good since the early 2000's. Do not trust a gaming site for security recommendations.

[MarcG 3,031]

Already disabled on my Win11 install and I never intentionally did that so it must've always been like it.