This Overlooked Windows Setting Leaves You Vulnerable: Here’s How to Fix It

For many small business owners, nonprofit managers, and city administrators, the idea of a cyberattack feels distant, until it isn’t. The reality is that most breaches don’t happen through brute force or sophisticated code. They happen because of misconfigured settings or basic security features being turned off.

One such example? Memory integrity protection, a powerful Windows security feature that’s disabled by default on many machines.

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If your team relies on Windows 10 or Windows 11 devices, this guide will explain what this setting does, why it matters, and how to turn it on.

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What Is Memory Integrity Protection?

Memory integrity is part of Microsoft’s Core Isolation security system. It uses virtualization-based security to protect your computer from low-level attacks that target your system’s core processes.

Here’s what it does:

• Prevents malicious code from injecting into high-level processes
• Stops some forms of zero-day and kernel-level attacks
• Adds an extra layer of protection to critical Windows functions

This feature is especially valuable for SMBs and government entities, where one infected machine can compromise shared files, connected drives, or cloud systems.

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Why Is It Turned Off by Default?

The short answer: compatibility.

Memory integrity requires driver compliance, if your system has outdated, unsigned, or incompatible drivers (especially for older hardware or third-party devices), Windows turns the feature off automatically to prevent performance issues.

That means even brand-new business computers may not have this feature enabled unless someone specifically checks and resolves driver conflicts.

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How to Check If It’s Enabled on Your Device

Here’s how to find out:

1. Press Start and type Core Isolation
2. Click on Core Isolation under Device Security
3. Look for Memory Integrity
4. If it says “Off”, click Turn On
5. Reboot your system when prompted

⚠️ If you receive an error or warning about incompatible drivers, don’t ignore it, note the driver’s name and contact your IT support provider to update or replace it.

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What to Do If Memory Integrity Won’t Turn On

Sometimes, enabling this setting isn’t straightforward. Here’s what you or your IT team should do:

• Update drivers using the manufacturer’s official websites
• Uninstall unused or legacy drivers that may be blocking the feature
• Run Windows Update to check for system fixes
• Consider a hardware refresh if you’re consistently running into driver issues on older machines

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Why This Setting Is Especially Critical for Public Sector and Regulated Organizations

For municipalities, school districts, and nonprofits handling sensitive citizen or donor data, kernel-level attacks can:

• Undermine compliance with data protection regulations
• Bypass traditional antivirus systems
• Result in complete control over your devices by attackers

Enabling memory integrity protection is one of the easiest ways to reduce risk, and most organizations don’t even know it’s turned off.

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SofTouch Systems Can Help

At SofTouch Systems, we help organizations across Central and South Texas:

• Perform security audits on Windows endpoints
• Check for missing or misconfigured protections
• Update and patch systems organization-wide
• Develop IT security policies that include hardware and driver vetting

Whether you’re a small town with five machines or a nonprofit running remote staff, we can help you secure every layer of your infrastructure, starting with the settings most people overlook.

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Don’t Wait for a Breach to Flip the Switch

Cybersecurity isn’t always about expensive software. Sometimes, it’s as simple as enabling the settings Microsoft gave you and making sure they work properly across your entire network.

Check your device today. Then make a plan to check every device in your office or agency. And if you’re not sure where to start, you don’t have to do it alone.