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Disable System Guard startup verification

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Works with Windows 10 and 11Works with Windows Vista, XP, 7, 8, 10, 11, and Windows Server 2008 or newer.
  • Windows onlyThis script improves your privacy on Windows
  • Single actionThis page belongs to a script, containing basic changes to achieve a task.
  • Impact: High

    System Functionality / Data Loss Risk: High

    This action improves privacy with high impact when you run the recommended script.

  • Batch (batchfile)These changes use Windows system commands to update your settings.
  • Administrator rights requiredThis script requires privilege access to do the system changes
  • Fully reversible

    You can fully restore this action (revert back to the original behavior) using this website.

    The restore/revert methods provided here can help you fix issues.

Overview​

This script disables System Guard Secure Launch, a security feature in Windows.

Secure Launch is also known as Virtualization Based Security (VBS) 1 or firmware protection 2. This feature enhances startup security on Windows systems 2. It was initially introduced in Windows 10 version 1809 3.

It protects the Virtualization Based Security (VBS) environment from vulnerabilities in device firmware 4. VBS, in Windows, refers to a security technology that uses hardware virtualization to create isolated and secure environments, specifically for running sensitive operations and storing critical data 5.

Secure Launch requires specific hardware support and is not compatible with all processors 2. It uses Intel Trusted Execution Technology (TXT) and Runtime BIOS Resilience to prevent firmware vulnerabilities from impacting the Windows VBS environment 4. All drivers on the system must be compatible with this feature, or the system may crash 4.

Disabling it may enhance privacy by reducing the isolation of certain system components. This limits the system's ability to collect and potentially share data about the boot process and system state. Additionally, it increases user control over low-level system settings. This allows for more extensive privacy-focused configurations that may otherwise be restricted or overridden by the secure environment.

Disabling this feature may also improve system performance by reducing the overhead of maintaining isolated environments.

However, this comes at the cost of potentially decreased protection against specific types of attacks. The Center for Internet Security (CIS) recommends enabling this feature for additional security on supported processors 4.

Caution

This action may weaken device security by removing protection from specific firmware-based attacks.

Technical Details​

This script configures the following registry values:

  • HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\DeviceGuard!ConfigureSystemGuardLaunch 1 to configure the Group Policy setting.
  • HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\DeviceGuard\Scenarios\SystemGuard!Enabled 2 to configure the system setting.
  1. Not Advised

    This script should only be used by advanced users.

    This script is not recommended for daily use as it breaks important functionality.

    Consider creating a system restore point before doing any changes.

  2. Security Trade-off

    This action prioritizes privacy over certain security features. It's not recommended and should only be used by advanced users after understanding its implications.

    Increased Privacy

    Enhanced privacy through reduced data collection and tracking

    Decreased Security

    Some security features will be disabled or limited

    This script can be reversed, this action allows you to can restore the system security.

Sources
PrivacyLearn.com maintains strict sourcing standards for accuracy, integrity and up-to-date content. Our content relies on authoritative sources including vendor documentation, industry standards, and verified research. Learn more about our verification process and quality standards in our editorial standards page.

Apply Now​

Choose one of three ways to apply:

Download script​

Download and run the script directly
  • No app needed
  • Offline usage
  • Easy-to-apply
  • Free
  • Open-source
Help

How to apply or restore "Disable System Guard startup verification" using script​

  • ≈ 2 min to complete
  • Tools: Web Browser
  • Difficulty: Simple
  • ≈ 5 instructions
  1. 1

    Download

    Download the script file by clicking on the   Apply protection  button above.
    Use   Undo protection button above to restore changes.
  2. 2

    Keep the file

    If warned by your browser, keep the file.
  3. 3

    Open

    Open the downloaded file.
  4. 4

    Exit

    Once it's done, press any key to exit the window.
  5. 5

    Restart

    Restart your computer for all changes to take effect.

Apply with privacy.sexy​

Guided, automated application with safety checks
  • Recommended for most users
  • Includes safety checks
  • Free
  • Open-source
  • Popular
  • Offline/Online usage
Open privacy.sexy
Help

How to apply or restore "Disable System Guard startup verification" using privacy.sexy​

  • ≈ 3 min to complete
  • Tools: privacy.sexy
  • Difficulty: Simple
  • ≈ 4 instructions
privacy.sexy is free and open-source application that lets securely apply this action easily with more advanced options.
  1. 1

    Open or download

    Open or download the desktop application
  2. 2

    Choose script

    1. Search for the script name: Disable System Guard startup verification
    2. Check the script by clicking on the checkbox.
  3. 3

    Run

    Click on ▶️ Run button at the bottom of the page.

    This button only appears on desktop version (recommended). On browser, use 💾 Save button.

Run commands​

Copy and run commands manually Requires technical knowledge
Apply changes
:: Set the registry value: "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\DeviceGuard!ConfigureSystemGuardLaunch"
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "$registryPath = 'HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\DeviceGuard'; $data = '2'; reg add 'HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\DeviceGuard' /v 'ConfigureSystemGuardLaunch' /t 'REG_DWORD' /d "^""$data"^"" /f"
:: Set the registry value: "HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\DeviceGuard\Scenarios\SystemGuard!Enabled"
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "$registryPath = 'HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\DeviceGuard\Scenarios\SystemGuard'; $data = '0'; reg add 'HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\DeviceGuard\Scenarios\SystemGuard' /v 'Enabled' /t 'REG_DWORD' /d "^""$data"^"" /f"
Help

How to apply or restore "Disable System Guard startup verification" using commands​

  • ≈ 2 min to complete
  • Tools: Command Prompt
  • Difficulty: Medium
  • ≈ 3 instructions
 View step-by-step guide with screenshots
  1. 1

    Open Command Prompt

    Open Command Prompt as Administrator.
  2. 2

    Copy code

    Copy the code:
    Copy Apply Code Copy Revert Code
  3. 3

    Paste & run

    Paste the commands into Command Prompt and press Enter to run.

    Some changes require a system restart to take effect

Similar Guides​

Wider Goal​

Guides below includes this guide to achieve a wider goal.

See other more general settings that includes this one as one of its actions.

These plans combine multiple privacy settings, including this one, for stronger protection.

This category disables Defender System Guard, a security feature in Windows. This feature is referred to as Windows Defender System Guard, System Guard, and intern...
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Same Goal​

Other guides in Disable Defender System Guard 

See settings that are in the same category as this guide.

Using other actions in the same category may help you achieve your goal better.

Disable System Guard sandbox monitoring
Disable System Guard kernel monitoring
Disable System Guard communication hub
Disable System Guard rule definitions
Disable System Guard rule scanner

About the Creators​

These people have authored this documentation and written its scripts:

  • Avatar of undergroundwires. The creator of PrivacyLearn and privacy.sexy. Black and white portrait showing a person wearing a polka dot tie and suit jacket, reflecting the professional expertise behind the privacy protection tools.
    • Certified security professional
    • 7+ years experience securing banks
    • Open-source developer since 2005
    • EU advisor, Public Speaker, Moderator
    • Hundreds across the globe
    • Testers, reviewers, developers
    • Companies, military agencies
    • Community since 2017
About Us

Reviewed By​

This guide has undergone comprehensive auditing and peer review:

  • Expert review by undergroundwires​

    • Verified technical accuracy and editorial standards
    • Assessed system impact and user privacy risks

  • Public review by large community​

    • Privacy enthusiasts and professionals peer-reviewed
    • Millions of end-users tested across different environments

History​

We continually monitor our guides, their impact and all other privacy options. We update our guides when new information becomes available. On every update, we publicly store who made the change, what has been changed, why the change was made and when the change was made.

Review Change History Our Change Process