By /

Virtualization-Based Security (VBS) Causing High CPU Usage – Complete Fix Guide (2026)

Table of Contents

Hub: Windows 11 Troubleshooting Hub

Quick Answer
Virtualization-Based Security (VBS) Causing High CPU Usage occurs when VBS features like Memory Integrity consume excessive CPU resources. To fix it, disable Memory Integrity in Windows Security, turn off VBS via Registry Editor or Group Policy, or disable Hyper-V. If the error persists, check BIOS virtualization settings and update system drivers. For more Windows troubleshooting, visit our Windows 11 Troubleshooting Hub.

Why Virtualization-Based Security (VBS) Causing High CPU Usage Happens

Virtualization-Based Security (VBS) Causing High CPU Usage is a performance issue that occurs when Windows 11’s virtualization-based security features consume excessive CPU resources. VBS uses hardware virtualization to isolate critical system processes, but this can significantly impact performance on older hardware or systems with limited resources. For official Microsoft documentation, refer to the Microsoft VBS documentation.

When Virtualization-Based Security (VBS) Causing High CPU Usage appears, you may notice system slowdowns, lag, or fans running at high speed. This issue is similar to other performance problems like Windows 11 High CPU Usage Fix and Windows 11 Running Slow, but specifically points to VBS-related processes. Common triggers include Memory Integrity (Core Isolation) being enabled, Hyper-V running, or the system having limited CPU resources.

Before diving into fixes, check if VBS is actually enabled on your system. If you don’t use features like Windows Sandbox, WSL2, or Credential Guard, you can safely disable VBS to improve performance. For a broader overview of Windows performance issues, see our Windows 11 Troubleshooting Hub.

⚠️ Warning: Disabling Virtualization-Based Security (VBS) Causing High CPU Usage fixes will reduce some security protections. Only disable VBS if you understand the security trade-off and are experiencing significant performance issues.

1. Check If VBS Is Enabled on Your System

Before making changes, verify whether Virtualization-Based Security (VBS) Causing High CPU Usage is active on your system.

  1. Press Win + R, type msinfo32, and press Enter.
  2. In System Information, scroll down to “Virtualization-based security”.
  3. If it says “Running”, VBS is enabled.
  4. Alternatively, open Command Prompt as Administrator and run:
    systeminfo
  5. Look for “Virtualization-based security:” in the output.

✅ Expected Result: If VBS is not running, Virtualization-Based Security (VBS) Causing High CPU Usage is not the cause of your performance issues.

2. Disable Memory Integrity (Core Isolation)

Memory Integrity is the primary VBS feature that causes Virtualization-Based Security (VBS) Causing High CPU Usage. Disabling it can significantly reduce CPU load.

  1. Open Windows Security (click the shield icon in the taskbar).
  2. Select Device Security.
  3. Click Core isolation details.
  4. Toggle Memory Integrity to Off.
  5. If prompted, restart your PC.

✅ Expected Result: Disabling Memory Integrity often resolves Virtualization-Based Security (VBS) Causing High CPU Usage immediately.

3. Disable VBS via Registry Editor

If Memory Integrity is grayed out, you can disable VBS using the Registry Editor.

  1. Press Win + R, type regedit, and press Enter.
  2. Navigate to:
    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\DeviceGuard
  3. Find EnableVirtualizationBasedSecurity. Set its value to 0.
  4. Find RequirePlatformSecurityFeatures. Set its value to 0.
  5. Navigate to:
    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Lsa
  6. Find LsaCfgFlags. Set its value to 0.
  7. Restart your PC.

⚠️ Warning: Editing the registry can cause system issues if done incorrectly. Backup your registry before making changes.

4. Disable VBS via Group Policy

For Windows Pro and Enterprise editions, you can disable VBS through Group Policy.

  1. Press Win + R, type gpedit.msc, and press Enter.
  2. Navigate to:
    Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > System > Device Guard
  3. Find “Turn On Virtualization Based Security”.
  4. Set it to Disabled.
  5. Click Apply and OK.
  6. Restart your PC.

💡 Quick Tip: This policy may override the Windows Security toggle. Setting it to “Not Configured” also allows the toggle to work.

5. Disable VBS Using Command Prompt

For a quick fix, use Command Prompt to disable Virtualization-Based Security (VBS) Causing High CPU Usage.

  1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator.
  2. Run the following command:
    bcdedit /set hypervisorlaunchtype off
  3. This disables the hypervisor, which turns off VBS.
  4. Restart your PC.
  5. To re-enable VBS later, run bcdedit /set hypervisorlaunchtype auto.

🔁 Alternative Solution: If the command fails, ensure you have administrator privileges and that virtualization is enabled in BIOS.

6. Disable Hyper-V and Virtualization Features

Hyper-V and other virtualization features can contribute to Virtualization-Based Security (VBS) Causing High CPU Usage. Disabling them can improve performance.

  1. Open Control Panel > Programs and Features > Turn Windows features on or off.
  2. Uncheck Hyper-V.
  3. Also uncheck Windows Hypervisor Platform and Virtual Machine Platform.
  4. Click OK and restart your PC.

⚠️ Warning: Disabling Hyper-V will affect WSL2, Windows Sandbox, and other virtualization-dependent features.

7. Check BIOS/UEFI Virtualization Settings

BIOS virtualization settings can affect VBS performance. Ensure they are configured correctly.

  1. Restart your PC and enter BIOS/UEFI (press Del, F2, or F12).
  2. Look for Intel VT-x (Intel) or SVM Mode (AMD).
  3. Ensure virtualization is enabled.
  4. If you want to disable VBS completely, you can turn off virtualization in BIOS, but this will also disable other virtualization features.
  5. Save changes and exit.

💡 Quick Tip: If virtualization is already enabled in BIOS, the issue is likely software-based. Follow the other methods in this guide.

8. Update System Drivers

Outdated drivers can contribute to Virtualization-Based Security (VBS) Causing High CPU Usage. Updating them can improve performance.

  1. Open Device Manager.
  2. Expand System devices and update chipset drivers.
  3. Expand Display adapters and update graphics drivers.
  4. Visit your manufacturer’s website for the latest drivers.
  5. After updating, restart your PC.

🔁 Alternative Solution: Use Windows Update to check for driver updates or use tools like Intel Driver & Support Assistant.

9. Advanced Troubleshooting

If the error persists, try these advanced solutions.

Disable Credential Guard

Credential Guard uses VBS and can cause high CPU usage. Disable it via Group Policy or Registry as shown in methods 3 and 4.

Check for Malware

Malware can cause high CPU usage. Run a full scan with Windows Defender Offline. For detailed steps, see How to Scan Malware Windows 11.

Perform a Clean Boot

A clean boot eliminates software conflicts. Press Win + R, type msconfig, go to the Services tab, check “Hide all Microsoft services,” click Disable all, then disable startup items in Task Manager. Restart and test.

Perform a System Restore

If the issue started after a system change, use System Restore to revert. See How to Use System Restore Windows 11.

For more Windows troubleshooting, explore our Windows 11 Troubleshooting Hub.

Conclusion

Virtualization-Based Security (VBS) Causing High CPU Usage is a common performance issue that can be fixed by disabling Memory Integrity, turning off VBS via Registry or Group Policy, or disabling Hyper-V. Always check if VBS is enabled before making changes, and consider the security trade-offs. For persistent performance issues, ensure your system is free of malware and your drivers are up to date.

Regular system maintenance, such as monitoring CPU usage and keeping drivers updated, can prevent Virtualization-Based Security (VBS) Causing High CPU Usage from recurring. For more Windows troubleshooting, explore our Windows 11 Troubleshooting Hub and check out related articles on High CPU Usage, Windows 11 Running Slow, and BSOD fixes.

Related Guides

FAQ

What is Virtualization-Based Security (VBS) Causing High CPU Usage?

It is a performance issue where VBS features like Memory Integrity consume excessive CPU resources, causing system slowdowns and high fan speeds.

How do I fix Virtualization-Based Security (VBS) Causing High CPU Usage?

Disable Memory Integrity in Windows Security, turn off VBS via Registry Editor or Group Policy, or disable Hyper-V. Check BIOS virtualization settings and update drivers.

Is it safe to disable Virtualization-Based Security?

Disabling VBS reduces security protections like Memory Integrity and Credential Guard. Only disable it if you are experiencing significant performance issues and understand the trade-off.

How do I check if VBS is enabled on my system?

Run msinfo32 and look for “Virtualization-based security” or run systeminfo in Command Prompt.

Can disabling Hyper-V help with VBS high CPU usage?

Yes, disabling Hyper-V and related virtualization features can reduce CPU load caused by VBS.

How do I disable Memory Integrity in Windows 11?

Open Windows Security > Device Security > Core isolation details > toggle Memory Integrity to Off.

Does disabling VBS improve gaming performance?

Yes, disabling VBS can improve gaming performance by reducing CPU overhead, especially on systems with limited resources.

Can outdated drivers cause VBS high CPU usage?

Yes, outdated drivers can contribute to VBS-related performance issues. Updating drivers can improve the situation.

What is the difference between VBS and Memory Integrity?

VBS is the overall security feature that uses virtualization. Memory Integrity (Core Isolation) is one of its key components that isolates kernel processes and can cause high CPU usage.

Will disabling VBS affect Windows Sandbox or WSL2?

Yes, disabling VBS may affect Windows Sandbox and WSL2, as they rely on virtualization features. Consider this before disabling VBS.

HowToFixPro Editorial Team

We’re a team of system administrators, technical writers, and platform specialists who genuinely enjoy solving the problems most users find frustrating. From persistent Windows errors and Android sync failures to browser crashes and network drops — we’ve seen it all, and we document every fix properly. Our guides are built on official documentation, direct testing, and real troubleshooting experience. No filler, no guesswork — just reliable, step-by-step solutions you can trust.

Scroll to Top