Additional Microsoft Defender tools and services that provide security across various platforms and environments
Memory integrity (also called HVCI) is being blocked because one or more installed drivers are incompatible. The fix is to either update those drivers to HVCI‑compatible versions or remove the associated software/drivers from the system.
Use these steps:
- Identify the incompatible driver
- Open Start → type Windows Security → open it.
- Go to Device security → Core isolation details.
- Under Memory integrity, Windows will list any incompatible drivers by name (for example, a
.sysfile and publisher). This is the list that is preventing Memory integrity from turning on.
- Remove or update the driver
- If the driver belongs to software or hardware that is no longer needed (as in this case):
- Uninstall the related application or device software from Settings → Apps → Installed apps (or Apps & features on older builds).
- If it is a device driver (for a device you no longer use), open Device Manager, find the device, right‑click → Uninstall device, and check Delete the driver software for this device if offered.
- Then restart the PC and go back to Windows Security → Device security → Core isolation details to see if the driver is still listed.
- If the driver is for hardware or software that must be kept, check the manufacturer’s site or Windows Update for a newer, memory‑integrity compatible driver and install it. Updated drivers are required for full compatibility with memory integrity.
- If the driver belongs to software or hardware that is no longer needed (as in this case):
- If Memory integrity still cannot be turned on
- Some older or poorly maintained drivers may not have compatible updates. In that case, the only options are:
- Keep Memory integrity off so the incompatible driver can load, or
- Permanently remove the hardware/software that depends on that driver so Memory integrity can be enabled.
- Some older or poorly maintained drivers may not have compatible updates. In that case, the only options are:
- Do not delete
.sysfiles manually- Avoid manually deleting driver files from
C:\Windows\System32or other system folders. Removing driver files directly can cause boot problems or other system instability. Always remove drivers via Apps uninstallers or Device Manager.
- Avoid manually deleting driver files from
Once the incompatible driver is removed or updated, return to Windows Security → Device security → Core isolation details and switch Memory integrity to On, then restart.
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