Windows 11 Update Disables Undervolting Tools Like ThrottleStop

Microsoft is pushing a mandatory security change in Windows 11 that will break undervolting tools for many users. This update targets gamers and PC enthusiasts who rely on software like ThrottleStop or Intel XTU to lower CPU temperatures and power usage. The shift means you will lose the ability to manually tune your processor's voltage once the patch installs.

Microsoft forces Memory Integrity on, breaking ThrottleStop and Intel XTU

The core of this change is a feature called Memory Integrity, which Microsoft also refers to as Core Isolation. The company introduced Memory Integrity as part of its plan to bolster security on the operating system. It works by enabling Virtualization-Based Security, or VBS, to restrict kernel-mode execution and block malicious code from tampering with critical system processes.

Activating Memory Integrity requires a system reset, which will change the BIOS settings and nullify any existing undervolt configurations. Programs like ThrottleStop and Intel XTU will no longer function because the security layer prevents them from accessing the necessary hardware controls. Microsoft plans to enable this feature automatically in a future Windows 11 update scheduled for October 13, according to reports from Windows Latest.

There are reports that enabling Core Isolation can reduce gaming performance, though the extent of this impact varies by system. Windows Latest notes that they have not seen this sort of degradation previously on their specific gaming desktops, suggesting the effect may not be universal. We looked at the last Windows 11 update while tracking these stability themes, and this new security enforcement adds another layer of complexity for hardware tuners.

Microsoft is prioritizing system security over manual performance tuning in this upcoming release. Users who depend on undervolting software should prepare for a reset of their BIOS settings and potential changes in their system's thermal and performance behavior.