Does Windows 11 VBS Lower Gaming FPS? Check & Test

Yes, Windows 11’s Virtualization-Based Security (VBS) can lower gaming FPS, typically by 5–15% depending on your CPU and game, though the impact varies widely. You can check if VBS is enabled and test its effect by comparing your frame rates with VBS on versus off, using built-in Windows tools and game benchmarks.

What Is VBS and Why Does It Affect Gaming?

Virtualization-Based Security (VBS) is a Windows security feature that uses hardware virtualization to create an isolated memory region, protecting against exploits and malware. It relies on Hyper-V, which adds a hypervisor layer between the OS and hardware. This layer can interfere with how games access the CPU and memory, adding overhead that reduces performance.

Microsoft introduced VBS as a default on many new Windows 11 PCs, especially those with supported CPUs and TPM 2.0. While it strengthens security, gamers often notice a dip in frame rates, particularly in CPU-bound titles. The impact is more pronounced on older or lower-core-count CPUs, while high-end processors may see minimal differences.

How to Check If VBS Is Enabled on Your PC

Before testing, confirm whether VBS is actually running. Here are two quick methods:

System Information: Press Win + R, type msinfo32, and hit Enter. Look for “Virtualization-based security” – it will say “Running” or “Enabled”.
Windows Security: Go to Windows Security → Device Security → Core Isolation. If “Memory Integrity” is on, VBS is likely active.

Note that “Memory Integrity” (also called HVCI) is a component of VBS; even if it’s off, VBS may still be enabled for other reasons (like Credential Guard). The System Information method is the most reliable.

How to Test VBS Impact on Your Gaming FPS

To measure the real impact on your system, you need to compare FPS with VBS on and off. Follow these steps:

Set a baseline: With VBS enabled (current state), run a built-in game benchmark (e.g., in Cyberpunk 2077, Shadow of the Tomb Raider, or Forza Horizon 5) at a fixed resolution and settings. Record the average FPS.
Disable VBS temporarily: Go to Windows Security → Device Security → Core Isolation, turn off Memory Integrity, and restart. Alternatively, you can disable VBS via Registry (set HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\DeviceGuard\EnableVirtualizationBasedSecurity to 0) – but that’s more advanced.
Run the same benchmark: After restart, run the same benchmark with identical settings. Compare the average FPS.
Re-enable VBS: After testing, turn Memory Integrity back on if you prefer the security, or leave it off if the FPS gain is significant for you.

Make sure to close background apps and use the same driver version during both tests. Run each benchmark 2–3 times to account for variance.

What Kind of FPS Loss Can You Expect?

The impact varies by CPU and game. In general, VBS can cause a 5–10% FPS drop in CPU-bound scenarios, and up to 15% in extreme cases with older CPUs. For example, a game that runs at 120 FPS might drop to 108–114 FPS. On modern high-end CPUs (like Intel 12th gen or AMD Ryzen 5000+), the loss is often negligible, sometimes under 2%.

GPU-bound games (where the graphics card is the bottleneck) show almost no difference, because VBS overhead is on the CPU side. If your GPU usage is near 100%, VBS likely won’t affect FPS much.

Should You Disable VBS for Gaming?

That depends on your priorities. If you’re a competitive gamer chasing every frame, and your FPS drop is measurable, disabling VBS might be worthwhile. However, VBS provides real security benefits, especially against kernel-level exploits. For most users, the security gain outweighs a small FPS loss.

If you decide to disable it, remember that Windows Update may re-enable it after feature updates. You can also use Group Policy to turn it off more permanently (if you have Windows Pro). For Windows Home, the registry method is the main option.

Common Misconceptions and Related Questions

“VBS is only for enterprise users.” Not true – it’s on many consumer PCs by default. “Disabling VBS voids my warranty.” No, it’s a supported setting. “VBS causes stuttering, not just lower FPS.” Some users report micro-stutters, but this is less common and often tied to other factors like driver issues.

Another related feature is Hyper-V, which is required for WSL2 and some virtualization tools. If you use those, you may need VBS enabled. In that case, you might accept the FPS hit or use a dual-boot setup for gaming.

Alternatives to Disabling VBS

If you want to keep VBS but reduce its impact, consider:

Update your CPU drivers and BIOS – sometimes fixes performance issues.
Use Game Mode – Windows Game Mode can prioritize gaming processes, though it doesn’t directly affect VBS overhead.
Overclock your CPU – if you have headroom, you can offset some losses.
Disable only Memory Integrity – this is the most performance-hungry part of VBS; you can keep other VBS components on.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does VBS affect all games equally?

No. CPU-intensive games (strategy, simulation, competitive shooters at high refresh rates) see larger drops. GPU-bound games (most AAA titles at high settings) see little to no difference.

How do I know if VBS is causing my low FPS?

Compare your FPS with VBS on and off using a benchmark. If the difference is under 3%, it’s not the main culprit. Also check CPU usage – if it’s high, VBS could be adding overhead.

Will disabling VBS make my PC less secure?

Yes, it removes an extra layer of protection. But Windows Defender and other security features remain active. The risk is relatively small for typical home users, but not zero.

Can I disable VBS permanently?

Yes, via Group Policy (Pro) or Registry (Home). However, Windows feature updates may re-enable it, so you may need to reapply the setting after major updates.

Does VBS affect SSD performance or load times?

No, VBS primarily affects CPU and memory operations. Storage performance is largely unaffected.

Is there a way to keep VBS but reduce its FPS impact?

You can try disabling Memory Integrity only, which is the most performance-intensive part. Also, ensure your CPU supports and has enabled virtualization extensions (VT-x/AMD-V) – if not, VBS may be using software emulation, which is slower.

In summary, VBS can lower gaming FPS, but the impact is usually small and depends on your hardware. Testing it on your own system is the only way to know for sure. If the loss is significant and you don’t rely on VBS-dependent features, disabling it is a safe and reversible option.

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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