Microsoft Enables Memory Integrity on Windows 11 Next Month
Microsoft is set to auto-enable 'Memory Integrity' on compatible Windows 11 systems in October 2026, as part of its Patch Tuesday update. This change will affect gaming performance for some users, particularly those with older CPUs.
Memory Integrity uses a CPU's virtualisation hardware to create an isolated environment that Windows cannot access directly, making systems more secure. Kernel mode drivers can pass through this protection layer, but regular software cannot.
The feature has been optional in Windows since Windows 10 and is now being auto-enabled on compatible hardware. To meet the requirements for automatic enablement, PCs must have an Intel CPU from the 8th generation or newer, AMD Zen 2 or newer, or Qualcomm Snapdragon 8180 or newer, along with at least 8GB of RAM and a 64GB SSD with virtualisation enabled in firmware.
While some users may experience performance limitations when Memory Integrity is enabled, particularly on older CPUs, Microsoft isn't forcing the feature on all Windows 11 users. The company is simply enabling it on compatible hardware to beef up the security of its OS.