Unable to Enable Memory Integrity — Resolve Driver Incompatibility Issues

The Memory Integrity feature in Windows is designed to protect your system from unwanted modifications, significantly enhancing your device's security. However, if you encounter a message about driver incompatibility when trying to enable this feature, it may indicate that some of your installed drivers don’t meet the requirements to operate with this option.

Why Does Driver Incompatibility Occur?

Memory Integrity, or Hypervisor-protected Code Integrity (HVCI), requires that all drivers be signed and certified for protected mode. Some older or non-standard drivers may be incompatible with this mode, resulting in an error when you attempt to enable the feature.

Steps to Fix Driver Incompatibility

1. Check the List of Incompatible Drivers

Windows provides a way to see which drivers are incompatible with enabling Memory Integrity. Here’s how:

  • Go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Windows Security.
  • Open Device Security > Core Isolation.
  • Click the link to check incompatible drivers (if available).

2. Update Drivers Manually

A straightforward way to resolve incompatibility is by updating your drivers. Use these methods:

  • Open Device Manager, find the device with the outdated driver, right-click, and select Update driver.
  • If needed, visit the official website of your device manufacturer and download the latest driver version.

3. Remove or Replace Incompatible Drivers

If updating doesn’t help, try uninstalling the driver. In Device Manager:

  • Right-click on the device, select Uninstall device.
  • Restart your computer — Windows may automatically install a compatible driver.

4. Use Specialized Tools

Some manufacturers (like NVIDIA, Intel) offer utilities to remove outdated drivers entirely. These can help you clear incompatible drivers from the system, resolving the issue.

5. Update Windows to the Latest Version

Windows updates sometimes include improvements for Memory Integrity and drivers. To check for updates, go to Settings > Update & Security and click Check for updates.