Windows 11 24H2: Performance Impact of Memory Integrity RemainsDespite AMD Optimizations
Berlin, Germany – While Microsoft touts Windows11 as a more secure operating system, its focus on memory integrity through Virtualization-Based Security (VBS) continues to come at a performance cost, even in the upcoming 24H2 update.
This latest version of Windows 11, set to release in September, continues to seea performance dip when Memory Integrity, also known as Hypervisor-Protected Code Integrity (HVCI), is enabled. This feature, which utilizes VBS to enhance security by preventing malicious software from accessing memory, has been a point of contention sinceits introduction in Windows 10 and 11.
German technology website ComputerBase conducted tests using an AMD Ryzen 5800X3D processor and found that enabling Memory Integrity in Windows 11 24H2 resulted in an approximate 8% decrease in frame rates. While the specific impact may vary across different hardware configurations, Microsoft acknowledges the performance trade-off and considers it an acceptable compromise for enhanced security.
However, AMD has been working on optimizing its branch prediction functionality for Windows 11 24H2, addressing performance issues that arose when not using an administrator account. These optimizations will also be backported to Windows 11 23H2.
This means that AMD users can expect a performance boost with the upcoming September patches, which will be released next week. These patches are expected to mitigate theperformance hit associated with Memory Integrity, particularly for AMD systems.
The ongoing debate surrounding Memory Integrity highlights the complex relationship between security and performance. While security enhancements are crucial, their impact on system performance must be carefully considered.
Microsoft’s approach to Memory Integrity, while aiming to bolster security, has sparked criticismfor its performance implications. The company’s willingness to acknowledge the trade-off and work with hardware manufacturers like AMD to optimize performance suggests a commitment to finding a balance between security and usability.
However, the ongoing performance concerns raise questions about the long-term viability of Memory Integrity as a security measure. As technologyevolves and new vulnerabilities emerge, finding a solution that prioritizes both security and performance will be crucial for the future of Windows.
The upcoming release of Windows 11 24H2, along with AMD’s optimizations, will be a key test of this balancing act. If the performance impact of MemoryIntegrity can be significantly reduced, it could become a more widely accepted security feature. However, if the performance trade-off remains significant, it may hinder the adoption of this crucial security measure.
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