Windows 11: a security option reduces in-game performance by up to -30%

Windows 11 would negatively impact in-game performance. In any case, this is what the PC Gamer and Computer Base sites claim, which have carried out in-game performance tests on Microsoft's new OS.

On some games, the number of frames per second would drop by 28%. A more than notable loss for a system that nevertheless sells itself as “the best Windows for gaming”.

At the heart of this problem, a security feature that disrupts the gaming experience: the VBS.

What is VBS?

The acronym VBS stands for Virtualization-based Security, or "security via virtualization", in good French. Enabled by default on some Windows 10 PCs, this tool monopolizes a portion of RAM to create a secure subsystem within Windows.

The idea is to create a space completely isolated from the rest of the system, to store important information such as identification data. Thus, if the main system is affected by malware or another virus, the most sensitive data is protected.

This method is called "virtualization" because it will create a virtual system within the main OS, by allocating part of your machine's resources (RAM, disk space, etc.). To put it more simply, it's a Windows within your Windows. By isolating part of the system within a watertight "bubble", the VBS therefore improves the safety of your machine.

What's wrong with Windows 11?

This functionality was until then particularly used on professional machines, often subject to stricter security rules. With Windows 11 that said, the use of VBS is going to be much more widespread.

“In partnership with PC and processor manufacturers, we will enable VBS […] on most new computers in the coming year,” Microsoft said in a blog post. This means that a good part of the machines sold new under Windows 11 will have this feature activated by default.

As we have seen, however, the virtualization of a subsystem requires monopolizing computing power, disk space and RAM. This mechanically limits the performance of the main system. This is not felt in a "basic" use of his computer, but when it comes to running resource-intensive 3D games, the difference can be noticeable.

On the same Windows 11 machine (which runs under the almost final version of the system), the average number of frames per second of Shadow of the Tomb Raider drops from 107 to 77 when the VBS is activated. What significantly deteriorate the gaming experience.

What can I do to fix the problem on Windows 11?

If the PC Gamer tests can send shivers down the spine to PC game enthusiasts, the problem is still to be put into perspective.

The default activation of the VBS will be done a priori only on new machines. If you are updating your computer from Windows 10, the feature will not be enabled. The same is true if you install Windows 11 yourself using a system image. It's also likely that PC builders dedicated to gaming will negotiate with Microsoft to keep the feature disabled by default.

These performance concerns will therefore not affect everyone. Unfortunately, Microsoft communicates quite badly on the subject. Technically, it is possible to see if the VBS is enabled within the Windows Security application. You must then go to the Device Security menu and then Kernel Isolation. But as our colleagues from Frandroid have noticed, on some machines, the option may seem disabled when it is not. It may also not be possible to disable the option using this method.

Windows technically allows disabling VBS, but not on all machines

Source: Screenshot

According to PC Gamer, you have to modify values ​​within the registry editor and the bios to properly deactivate the VBS. These manipulations being particularly risky if you are not sure of what you are doing, it is rather inadvisable to go and touch these essential bricks of the system.

So let's hope that Microsoft fixes it and makes it easier to disable the option. Otherwise, PC players risk having unpleasant surprises.

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