Microsoft disables NVMe registry hack; ViVeTool works
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- Microsoft blocked the registry overrides that previously enabled the native NVMe driver (nvmedisk.sys) on Windows 11 in recent Insider builds.
- The native NVMe driver (nvmedisk.sys) was introduced in Windows Server 2025, claimed up to 80% higher IOPS and 45% lower CPU utilization, and replaces the legacy SCSI translation layer.
- Benchmarks reported up to 85% higher random write performance and up to 64.89% faster 4K random reads when the native driver is enabled via the registry hack.
- Third‑party SSD tools such as Samsung Magician and Western Digital Dashboard are incompatible with the native driver, and BitLocker may trigger recovery prompts after the driver swap.
- ViVeTool can still enable the native NVMe driver using hidden feature IDs 60786016 and 48433719, requiring an elevated command prompt and reboot, with the same compatibility risks.
- Microsoft has not announced a consumer rollout schedule for native NVMe support in upcoming Windows 11 versions (25H2, 26H2).
Why it matters: Enthusiasts and power users regain access to the speed boost via ViVeTool, while enterprises risk incompatibility with management software and BitLocker, and Microsoft’s removal of the hack delays broader consumer adoption of the faster driver. This also underscores the tension between unofficial performance tweaks and official OS stability policies.
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