In a recent update, Microsoft has effectively disabled a registry modification that enabled Windows 11 users to activate native NVMe support on their systems. This change was first brought to light by members of the My Digital Life forum, who observed the alteration in the latest Insider builds of Windows 11.
Performance Gains and Limitations
The registry trick, which adapted a feature from Windows Server 2025 for consumer PCs running Windows 11 versions 24H2 and 25H2, had previously shown impressive results, boasting up to an 85% increase in random write performance during benchmark tests. Users experienced significant improvements in random I/O across various drives and CPUs. For instance, AS SSD testing conducted by Neowin highlighted notable enhancements in write speeds, while StorageReview’s server-side FIO benchmarks recorded up to a 64.89% increase in 4K random read speeds.
However, this method was not without its drawbacks. Users found that third-party SSD management tools, such as Samsung Magician and Western Digital Dashboard, were incompatible with the new driver. Additionally, switching drivers could trigger recovery prompts from BitLocker, complicating the process for those utilizing this encryption tool.
Alternative Solutions
While the registry method has been rendered ineffective, there remains a pathway for users to enable native NVMe support through a third-party utility known as ViVeTool. According to Deskmodder, this tool allows users to toggle hidden Windows features, including the relevant feature IDs 60786016 and 48433719. It is important to note that this process requires an elevated command prompt and necessitates a system reboot for the changes to take effect.
As with the previous method, users should be aware of the same compatibility risks. Those running BitLocker are advised to suspend protection before proceeding with the changes. The timeline for when native NVMe support will be officially available for Windows 11 versions 25H2 and 26H2 remains uncertain.
