Windows memory integrity switches on automatically for eligible devices in October 2026

Beginning in October 2026, Windows quality updates start enabling memory integrity protection on eligible devices with little or no additional configuration. On machines where Virtualization-based Security is not already running, those same updates enable VBS too. Memory integrity is the layer that allows only trusted kernel-mode code and drivers to run, which is how it stops an attacker who is trying to compromise the Windows kernel and take control of core operating system functions.