What Is Windows 11 Memory Integrity—and Should You Leave It On?

Windows Security includes a setting called Memory integrity. The name is vague, but its purpose is straightforward: it adds protection around important parts of Windows so malicious low-level software has a harder time tampering with them.

Microsoft places the setting under Core isolation because it uses virtualization-based security to isolate sensitive processes from the rest of the operating system.

Where to check it

Open Windows Security, select Device security, then open Core isolation details.

Look for Memory integrity.

On supported systems, Windows may have the feature enabled already. If Windows Security reports that it is off, do not assume you should immediately force it on without reading any compatibility warning shown on the screen.

Why can Windows say a driver is incompatible?

Memory integrity places stricter requirements on low-level drivers. An older driver for a peripheral or other hardware can sometimes prevent the feature from being enabled.

If Windows identifies an incompatible driver, first look for an updated driver through Windows Update or the device manufacturer's official support site. Do not download random driver-updater utilities to solve the warning.

If the incompatible driver belongs to hardware you no longer use, removing the old device software may be appropriate, but identify it first.

Should you turn Memory integrity off for performance?

For a normal home computer, disabling a Windows security feature merely because an online tweak guide promises more speed is a poor default approach. If a specific application or device has a documented compatibility problem, investigate that particular problem instead.

If you change the setting while troubleshooting, record what you changed so you can restore it afterward.

The useful rule is simple: leave Windows security protections enabled unless you have a specific, supportable reason to change them.

Sources and Further Reading

Microsoft — Core isolation and Memory integrity: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/core-isolation