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Why Some Gamers Disable VBS in Windows 11 — And When It Actually Makes Sense
Speaking as an experienced Windows and PC gaming user, the topic of disabling VBS (Virtualization-Based Security) comes up regularly, and it’s worth explaining it without extremes or fear-mongering.
Some gamers disable VBS not because they are “against security”, but because they are chasing very specific performance goals. This usually applies to competitive or CPU-bound scenarios: high-refresh-rate esports titles, older engines, simulation games, or systems where the CPU is already the limiting factor.
VBS introduces an additional isolation layer between the operating system and critical components like memory and the kernel. On modern CPUs, the overhead is generally small, but it is real. In certain edge cases, this can slightly reduce minimum FPS, increase frametime variance, or add small latency penalties. For most users, this difference is barely noticeable. For competitive players, even a few percent can matter.
Another reason is hardware context. On older CPUs or entry-level systems, virtualization-based features can be proportionally heavier. In those cases, disabling VBS may produce a more noticeable improvement than on modern high-end hardware.
That said, it is important to understand what is being traded away.
Disabling VBS lowers protection against kernel-level attacks, malicious or vulnerable drivers, and advanced persistence techniques. These are not common threats for average home users, but they are the exact mechanisms used by sophisticated malware, cheat loaders, and targeted attacks. With VBS off, Windows behaves closer to older security models.
This does not mean the system becomes instantly unsafe. Windows still has multiple layers of defense. However, the security margin is reduced, especially against low-level threats that traditional antivirus solutions are not always effective against.
So when is disabling VBS a reasonable choice?
It can make sense for:
Competitive gamers who prioritize maximum and consistent FPS
Users with older CPUs where virtualization overhead is more pronounced
Controlled environments where software sources are trusted and limited
When is it not recommended?
General-purpose systems
PCs used for work, browsing, downloads, or mixed workloads
Systems exposed to unknown drivers, mods, or untrusted software
In short, disabling VBS is not a “magic performance tweak” and not something that should be done blindly. It is a calculated trade-off. For most modern gaming PCs, leaving it enabled provides better overall balance. For niche performance-focused scenarios, disabling it can be justified — as long as the user understands the risks.
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