Disabling Windows 10 HVCI: What You Need to Know
Having trouble with some apps or hardware on Windows 10? You might need to turn off HVCI (Hypervisor-Protected Code Integrity) to get things working smoothly again. HVCI is there to help keep your system safe from malware at the kernel level. Sounds good, right? But sometimes, older software or hardware just doesn’t play nicely with it. So, turning off this feature can be a necessary step. Just keep in mind—disabling this security feature can make your system a bit more vulnerable.
How to Turn Off HVCI in Windows 10
Turning off HVCI isn’t complicated, but it does involve a few steps. Heads up—this might reduce your system’s security. Proceed only if you’re confident it’s needed.
Accessing Windows Security
Start by clicking the Start menu and typing “Windows Security” in the search bar, then press Enter. Alternatively, press Windows + I to open Settings, then navigate to Update & Security > Windows Security.
Finding Device Security
In the Windows Security window, look for “Device Security” on the sidebar. This is where you can manage your system’s protection settings.
Diving into Core Isolation
Within Device Security, click on “Core Isolation Details.” Check if “Memory Integrity” is enabled. If it is, you’re on the right track to disabling HVCI.
Turning Off Memory Integrity
There’s a switch labelled “Memory Integrity.” Flick it off. This will deactivate HVCI and give your software a bit more breathing room. If you’re comfortable using commands, you can also do the following:
- Open Command Prompt as Administrator and type:
bcdedit /set hypervisorlaunchtype off- Then, restart your PC — it needs to apply the changes.
Quick tip: If you see a message saying the Hypervisor isn’t active, HVCI might already be turned off at BIOS level or due to other reasons.
Rebooting
After making the change, don’t forget to restart your computer. This step is essential to ensure everything’s applied correctly. Once rebooted, double-check that HVCI is indeed disabled. It’s always good to verify.
Alternative Ways to Disable HVCI
Using the Local Group Policy Editor
If you’re running Windows 10 Pro or higher, here’s another way:
- Press Windows + R, type
gpedit.msc, and hit Enter. - Navigate to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > System > Device Guard.
- Find and double-click on Turn On Virtualization-Based Security.
- Set it to Disabled.
- Click OK and restart your PC.
Using the Registry Editor
If you fancy a more advanced approach, you can edit the registry:
- Press Windows + R, type
regedit, and press Enter. - Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\DeviceGuard.
- Change the EnableVirtualizationBasedSecurity value to
0. - For thoroughness, you might also want to set Enabled to
0in HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\DeviceGuard\Scenarios\HypervisorEnforcedCodePolicy. - Restart your PC to apply the changes.
Things to Keep in Mind When Disabling HVCI
Disabling HVCI does create a bit of a security gap. Make sure the benefits for your setup outweigh the risks. Many people temporarily turn it off to run certain software or hardware and then switch it back on afterwards. Keep your antivirus up to date, apply system updates regularly, and back up important data before making any big changes—wise move all round.
Quick Summary on Disabling HVCI
- Open Windows Security settings.
- Go to Device Security.
- Click on Core Isolation Details.
- Turn off Memory Integrity.
- Restart your PC to complete the process.
Disabling HVCI isn’t always the easiest task, but it can help fix compatibility issues when needed. Just remember to keep an eye on your security levels afterwards, and toggle it back on when you’re done troubleshooting. Hopefully, this guide saves someone a bit of time!