Valorant HVCI Guide: How Memory Integrity Affects Performance and How to Fix It
Updated Jul 2026
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Key takeaways
- Hypervisor-protected Code Integrity (HVCI) secures system memory but can cause CPU overhead in Valorant. Learn how to manage Core Isolation, clean up kernel drivers, optimize power settings, and resolve stutters safely.
What is HVCI and Why Does It Affect Valorant?
Hypervisor-protected Code Integrity (HVCI), known as Memory Integrity in Windows Security, uses hardware virtualization to prevent unauthorized code from modifying high-privilege kernel processes. Valorant’s kernel-level anti-cheat, Riot Vanguard, runs deep within the operating system, where HVCI’s continuous memory checks can introduce CPU overhead, causing frame pacing issues, micro-stutters, and input latency. HVCI works alongside Virtualization-Based Security (VBS) by creating an isolated, virtualized container between the physical hardware and the main Windows OS. Every time a driver attempts to execute code inside system memory, the hypervisor validates its digital signature. While this architecture makes it extremely difficult for malicious rootkits to take control of your system, tactical shooters like Valorant are hyper-sensitive to any millisecond delay in frame processing. On systems with older processors or heavy background loads, these constant hypervisor security checks compete directly with game engine threads for precious CPU cycles. The end result is rarely a massive drop in average frames per second, but rather inconsistent frame pacing—manifesting as abrupt micro-stutters right when an enemy peaks around a corner.Initial Checks: Is HVCI the Actual Culprit?
Monitoring Valorant Performance
Valorant includes built-in diagnostic graphs under Settings > Video > Stats that let you observe performance in real time. Enabling metrics like CPU Frame Time, GPU Render Time, and Network RTT helps pinpoint whether performance dips stem from processor bottlenecks—often tied to hypervisor overhead—or external issues like network instability. When configuring these graphs, pay close attention to the "CPU Frame Time" and "Game to Render Latency" charts. If you notice sharp, vertical spikes in CPU frame time that align exactly with in-game freezing while your Network RTT remains flat, your processor is stalling on local system tasks. Comparing these diagnostic graphs across a few games with Memory Integrity toggled on and off provides clear evidence of whether VBS overhead is deteriorating your specific setup.Disabling HVCI: A Step-by-Step Guide
To disable HVCI on Windows, open Windows Security, navigate to Device Security, click Core Isolation details, and turn off the Memory Integrity toggle before rebooting your system. Disabling this setting removes hypervisor checks on kernel drivers, which usually recovers lost gaming performance but leaves your system more vulnerable to advanced driver-level malware. Here is the straightforward procedure to turn off Memory Integrity via the built-in Windows interface: 1. Press the **Windows Key**, type **Windows Security**, and press Enter. 2. Select **Device security** from the left navigation panel. 3. Click on **Core isolation details** under the Core isolation header. 4. Locate the **Memory integrity** toggle and switch it to **Off**. 5. Restart your computer to apply the hypervisor changes completely. If the toggle is grayed out or managed by your organization, you may need to open the Registry Editor, navigate to `HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\DeviceGuard\Scenarios\HypervisorEnforcedCodeIntegrity`, and set the `Enabled` DWORD value to `0`. Remember that turning off HVCI removes a core layer of defense. If you choose to leave it disabled permanently, keep your web browser, third-party software, and graphics drivers strictly up to date to offset the reduced kernel protection.Managing HVCI and Vanguard Compatibility
Windows does not allow per-program exclusions for Memory Integrity because HVCI operates across all kernel drivers at the operating system level. To maintain security while playing Valorant, focus on updating Riot Vanguard and motherboard chipset drivers so the game’s anti-cheat communicates efficiently with Virtualization-Based Security without requiring a complete system shutdown. Because HVCI acts as an all-or-nothing security perimeter for kernel drivers, you cannot simply add an application shortcut like `VALORANT.exe` to a traditional security exclusion list. Hypervisor checks happen at the system driver layer (`vgk.sys`), not within user-mode software executables. Instead of hunting for non-existent exclusion toggles, ensure that Riot Vanguard itself is operating without legacy hooks. Restarting the Vanguard tray application, letting Riot Client complete any pending updates, and ensuring your motherboard’s BIOS firmware is current allows Windows VBS and Vanguard to co-exist with minimal driver collision. On Windows 11 systems where TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot are mandatory for Valorant, keeping Memory Integrity enabled alongside up-to-date system drivers is often the stable, intended configuration.Updating Drivers: A Common Fix
Outdated or corrupted kernel drivers frequently trigger heavy performance penalties under HVCI, as the hypervisor spends additional CPU cycles verifying unoptimized driver code. Performing a clean GPU driver reinstall using Display Driver Uninstaller (DDU) alongside updated chipset drivers can resolve HVCI-related micro-stutters without forcing you to lower system security. When an outdated system driver interacts with HVCI, the virtualized safety layer has to perform extra work to check non-compliant or legacy code calls. This issue is especially common with audio drivers, network adapter utilities, and outdated GPU software. To conduct a thorough cleanup: 1. Download the official, latest graphics driver package from NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel. 2. Run Display Driver Uninstaller (DDU) in Windows Safe Mode to scrub away remnants of old drivers. 3. Install the fresh driver package and restart your system normally. 4. Visit your motherboard manufacturer's support page and install the latest chipset drivers (AMD Ryzen Chipset Drivers or Intel Management Engine/INF updates). Clean driver installations often resolve the latent conflict between Vanguard, the operating system kernel, and HVCI—allowing smooth frame delivery without compromising your computer's defenses.Adjusting Windows Power Settings
Lower power modes allow Windows to aggressively downclock processor cores, which amplifies the latency added by HVCI’s hypervisor verification routines. Switching your Windows Power Plan to High Performance forces CPU cores to maintain higher clock frequencies, helping your system process background hypervisor checks much faster and eliminating stuttering during intense gunfights. Windows aggressive power management frequently parks CPU cores or drops core frequencies during transient lulls in game rendering. When HVCI suddenly demands virtualized verification mid-game, a low-power CPU core takes precious microseconds to scale back up to its peak frequency, causing an audible or visual hitch. To adjust your power policy: 1. Open the Start menu, type **Power Plan**, and select **Choose a power plan**. 2. Select **High performance** (or **Ultimate Performance** if unlocked via command prompt). 3. Open Device Manager, navigate to Network Adapters, open your Primary Ethernet/Wi-Fi properties, and uncheck "Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power." By keeping your CPU state static and ready for high-throughput calculations, you reduce the perceived overhead introduced by Hypervisor-protected Code Integrity.Considering Alternatives: Virtualization and BIOS Tweaks
While running Valorant inside a virtual machine is strictly blocked by Riot Vanguard, adjusting hardware-level virtualization settings in your motherboard’s BIOS offers a clean alternative. Disabling Intel VT-x or AMD SVM Mode turns off Virtualization-Based Security entirely at the hardware level, disabling HVCI without leaving lingering software configurations behind. Riot Vanguard actively blocks Valorant from launching inside virtualized guest environments (like VMware, VirtualBox, or Hyper-V VMs) to prevent anti-cheat bypasses. Therefore, attempting to isolate the game inside a VM is not a viable strategy. However, if software toggles within Windows Security fail to keep Memory Integrity turned off, entering your motherboard's UEFI/BIOS screen during boot provides a direct solution. Locating options named **SVM Mode** (for AMD processors) or **Intel Virtualization Technology / VT-x** (for Intel processors) and setting them to **Disabled** prevents Windows from initializing its hypervisor altogether. Be aware that disabling CPU virtualization at the hardware level will also prevent features like Windows Subsystem for Android, WSL2, and Hyper-V from functioning.| Troubleshooting Method | Best For | Difficulty Level | System Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Disable Memory Integrity (GUI) | Quick performance fix for mid-tier CPUs | Easy | Slightly lowers system protection against kernel exploits. |
| DDU Clean Driver Reinstall | Fixing driver-level latency & micro-stutters | Moderate | Safe; maintains full system security features. |
| High Performance Power Plan | Preventing core-parking frame drops | Easy | Slightly increases desktop power consumption/heat. |
| Disable SVM / VT-x in BIOS | FAQHow do I disable HVCI in Valorant?Navigate to Windows Security > Device Security > Core Isolation. Toggle "Memory integrity" to "Off". Restart your computer and try launching Valorant. Why is HVCI causing problems in Valorant?HVCI (Hypervisor-protected Code Integrity) can sometimes conflict with Valorant's anti-cheat system, Vanguard, leading to errors or crashes. Disabling it can resolve these conflicts. Will disabling HVCI affect my computer's security?Disabling Memory Integrity (HVCI) reduces your system's protection against certain types of malware. Weigh the benefits for Valorant against the security implications before disabling. |