Among the various security features introduced by Microsoft for Windows 11 21H2, "Virtualization-based Security" (VBS) is designed to provide additional protection against malware and other attacks by isolating computer processes from operating systems/devices (also known as "core isolation"). What is embarrassing about is that this feature has also caused adjustment tools such as Intel XTU and MSI Afterburner to fail to operate normally.
The details of the wind direction in the recently uploaded issue of "The Secrets Not Telled by Board Factory" by MSI motherboard engineer Toppc, Lin Gong, can be seen that the problem stems from the conflict of the "core isolation" function on Windows 11.
For example, XTU may prompt "disabled" on systems that should have allowed overclocking - because VBS will prevent related software from accessing various registers, such as overclocking mailbox (MSR 150h).
These registers are crucial for operations such as over-voltage, but when many users try to start the change from BIOS, the problem still exists. In addition to the MSI product, other OEM manufacturers may also be affected by this system bug.
Although the VBS feature is also present on the Windows 10 operating system, Microsoft has not made it enabled by default. However, when installing the Windows 11 operating system purely, early systems will require the default activation.
The key part about "Core Isolation" can be dragged to watch around 11:00.
Although Microsoft tried to turn off VBS in a later version, a new report pointed out that Windows 11 has re-enabled the feature by default in a recent update.
In fact, since its release, the controversy caused by VBS has not stopped. It has been reported that even if the feature is enabled on fully supported systems, it can cause a serious drag on gaming performance.
