How to disable Virtualization-Based Security (VBS) on a HP Omen running windows 11 home

[dkjordan73]

How to disable Virtualization-Based Security (VBS) on a HP Omen running windows 11 home

[Hawks_Eye]

Hi @dkjordan73 

Welcome to the HP Support Community! We're here to help you get back up and running.

You can disable Virtualization‑Based Security (VBS) on your HP Omen running Windows 11 Home by turning off Core Isolation and Memory Integrity in Windows Security, and ensuring virtualization features are disabled in system settings.

I understand how frustrating it feels when performance is affected by background security features, especially on a gaming laptop where every bit of speed matters. You’ve already taken the right step by looking into VBS, so let’s go through the process clearly.

Step 1: Turn Off Core Isolation

1. Press Windows + I to open Settings.
2. Go to Privacy & Security > Windows Security > Device Security.
3. Under Core isolation, click Core isolation details.
4. Toggle Memory integrity to Off.
5. Restart your laptop.

 

Step 2: Disable Hypervisor Launch

1. Press Windows + R, type msconfig, and press Enter.
2. In the Boot tab, click Advanced options.
3. Uncheck Hyper‑V if listed.
4. Apply changes and restart.

 

Step 3: Confirm VBS Status

1. Press Windows + R, type msinfo32, and press Enter.
2. In System Information, scroll down to Virtualization‑based security.
3. Ensure it shows Not enabled.

 

Step 4: BIOS Check (if still active)

• Restart your HP Omen and press F10 to enter BIOS Setup.
• Under System Configuration, look for Virtualization Technology.
• Disable it if you want VBS fully off.
• Save changes and restart.

Helpful Resource

HP provides guidance on managing Windows security features here:
HP PCs – Windows Security Settings

You’ve already shown persistence by researching this. With these steps—Core Isolation, system configuration, and BIOS—you’ll be able to disable VBS and enjoy smoother performance on your HP Omen.

If my response helped, please mark it as an Accepted Solution! ✅ It helps others and spreads support. 💙 Also, tapping "Yes" on "Was this reply helpful?" makes a big difference! Thanks! 😊

Take care, and have an amazing day!

Regards, 

Hawks_Eye

[dkjordan73]

HI Hawks_Eye,

Thank you for your response but those steps didn't help.  Let me provide a little background information.  I need VBS disabled because I need to install VMWare and use it to run EVE-NG network emulator the software will not run properly unless VBS is disabled. 

Step after action:

Step 1, Memory Integrity was turned off under Core Isolation. My PC restarted and VBS still shows running under  System information.

Step2,  There is no Hyper-V selection under Advance options within MSConfig. I believe this is because I am running Windows 11 Home.

Step 3,  VBS is still showing that it is running. 

Step 4, I can't disable Virtualization completely because EVE-NG needs that enabled in order to run.

I n summary, I need VBS disabled but virtualization still enable in order to run my software.

Any feedback or information that you can provide would be greatly appreciated.

[Hawks_Eye]

Hi @dkjordan73 

I understand how frustrating this is—you’ve already tried the common steps, and it’s clear you need VBS disabled while still keeping virtualization enabled so VMware and EVE‑NG can run properly. 

Let’s go through a more targeted approach that addresses exactly that balance.

 

Steps to disable VBS but keep virtualization active

1. Turn off Windows features that enforce VBS

• Press Windows + R, type optionalfeatures, and press Enter.
• In the Windows Features dialog, uncheck the following if present:
  • Virtual Machine Platform
  • Windows Hypervisor Platform
  • Windows Sandbox
• Click OK and restart.
  These features rely on VBS and can keep it active even when Core Isolation is off.

2. Disable Device Guard and Credential Guard policies

• Press Windows + R, type gpedit.msc, and press Enter.
• Navigate to:
  Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > System > Device Guard
• Set Turn On Virtualization Based Security to Disabled.
• Navigate to:
  Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > System > Device Guard > Credential Guard
• Set Turn On Credential Guard to Disabled.
• Restart your PC.

(Note: Group Policy Editor is available in Windows 11 Pro by default. On Windows 11 Home, you may need to enable it manually, but the settings can also be applied via PowerShell if needed.)

3. Confirm VBS status

• Press Windows + R, type msinfo32, and press Enter.
• Scroll down to Virtualization‑based security.
• It should now show Not enabled.
• At the same time, check that Virtualization Enabled in Firmware still shows Yes—this confirms virtualization is active for VMware.

4. BIOS check (only if needed)

• Restart and press F10 to enter BIOS Setup.
• Ensure Virtualization Technology is Enabled.
• Save and exit.
  This keeps virtualization available for VMware while VBS is disabled at the OS level.

You’ve already shown persistence by testing multiple approaches. The key difference here is disabling the Windows features and policies that enforce VBS while leaving firmware virtualization on.

If my response helped, please mark it as an Accepted Solution! ✅ It helps others and spreads support. 💙 Also, tapping "Yes" on "Was this reply helpful?" makes a big difference! Thanks! 😊

Take care, and have an amazing day!

Regards, 

Hawks_Eye

[CloudEng_73]

Hi Hawks_Eye,

Thank you for your response and the steps that you provided. I really do appreciate your assitance with this matter.  I was able to find and install gpedit.msc . However, I must say that these steps did not help.  See below:

Step 1

• Virtual Machine Platform -- was already disabled
• Windows Hypervisor Platform--was already disabled
• Windows Sandbox -- there was no option for this selection.

Step 2

Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > System > Device Guard. ------Device Guard was not an option .

VBS is still running. 

I have tried everything that I possibly could to get this to work. I fear I am left with my only option and that is to do a full install of Windows 11 pro on my HP Omen.