How to Disable Core Isolation in Windows 10

Every computer is a universe, and what works well on one may prove harmful on another. Manufacturers and developers alike must strike a solid balance between stability, security, and performance, but it is a very difficult goal. In the specific case of Windows 10, many users insist that some of its built-in security features have a deep negative impact on their systems, and the so-called Core Isolation appears on that list. The good news is that you have the option to disable it if you wish to experiment...

Extending the useful life of hardware is a priority for a huge number of users out there, especially among those who enjoy a game or two. A simple YouTube search shows that some configurations considered “old” can still deliver decent performance, as long as we are willing to adjust resolution and graphics quality. However, Windows 10 is a factor that cannot be ignored these days.

Many users are convinced that the new security measures in the operating system, combined with mitigations designed for Spectre and Meltdown, cause a performance loss on their computers. And one particularly criticized feature is Core Isolation, along with the Memory Integrity protection inside it. According to Microsoft:

“Memory integrity is a Windows feature that ensures that code running in the Windows kernel is securely designed and trustworthy. It uses hardware virtualization and Hyper-V to protect Windows kernel-mode processes from the insertion and execution of malicious or unverified code. The integrity of code running in Windows is validated by memory integrity, making Windows resilient to malicious software attacks. Memory integrity is a highly effective security boundary that can block the execution of many types of malware in Windows 10 and Windows Server 2016 environments.”

However, users have reported FPS drops in games, graphics issues, stuttering, and problems when using virtualizers. This is striking because Core Isolation supposedly shouldn't cause so many headaches, and Memory Integrity comes disabled by default. Many owners of Sandy Bridge platforms (the entire 2000 series of Core processors) shared very positive results after disabling both security elements, and if you think that could help you, here's how to do it:

How to disable Core Isolation in Windows 10

The path to follow in Registry Editor is:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE - SYSTEM - CurrentControlSet - Control - DeviceGuard - Scenarios

Inside it, you should create a new key called “HypervisorEnforcedCodeIntegrity,” and add a DWORD entry named “Enabled” with a value of “0.” Close the Registry Editor and restart your computer.

How to verify the status of “Memory Integrity” in Windows 10

I insist: It is supposed to be disabled by default, but if you want to verify it, go to “Settings,” “Update & Security,” “Windows Security,” “Open Windows Security,” “Device Security,” and finally “Core Isolation Details.” If it is enabled, change the switch position and restart your computer.

As a final step, two warnings:

1. No guarantees. Adding that key does not mean you will see a miraculous performance increase in your system, and it could well be classified as a placebo. All comments on the Internet on this matter should be taken with a grain of salt, and we share these instructions in a purely educational/experimental spirit.
2. This reduces system security. It's the same conflict users face when disabling Spectre/Meltdown mitigations. Fortunately, the changes are very easy to undo (just delete the registry key and restart), but it would be irresponsible of us not to mention this detail.

In summary, give it a try. If your computer is a few years old and doesn't get along well with Windows 10, maybe these adjustments will help a little. Good luck!