BoosterX security settings: what changes in Windows 11 25H2
On this page
Short answer
Section titled “Short answer”BoosterX settings can restrict data collection, strengthen or weaken protection. Even if a setting works in the current Windows, you should apply it only with the consequences in mind.
On a typical gaming PC, leave the Firewall, SmartScreen, AMSI, UAC and CPU vulnerability protection enabled. Optional notifications and certain background features can be restricted if you do not need them and you understand what will stop working.
What was checked
Section titled “What was checked”We checked which security policies BoosterX applies, which of them strengthen or weaken protection, and which limitations depend on the edition and configuration.
Scope of research
Section titled “Scope of research”Windows 11 25H2 build 26200.9168; UAC, Defender, AMSI, Firewall, VBS and CPU mitigations policies. Universal FPS gain was not measured.
Methodology
Section titled “Methodology”Matching the settings against documented policies and observing their application in the researched system. The performance impact requires a separate test.
Settings checked in the research
Section titled “Settings checked in the research”| BoosterX setting | Result on 25H2 | Practical conclusion |
|---|---|---|
| Windows Defender (Antivirus) | Mechanism confirmed; state depends on Tamper Protection | Do not use to disable Defender |
| Smartscreen | Policy confirmed | Leave reputation protection enabled unless there is a separate reason to disable it |
| Windows Firewall | Disabling all profiles weakens protection | Do not disable for the sake of a game mode |
| AMSI | Verification mechanism confirmed in a limited area | Do not disable: it degrades detection of malicious scripts |
| Annoying protection notifications | The package changes notifications and contains values that weaken protection | Disabling individual notifications is acceptable; bypassing MOTW should not be done |
| UAC | UAC policy confirmed | Do not enable elevation without a prompt |
| Spectre v2 (enable) | Enables CPU vulnerability protection | Keep it enabled |
| Spectre v2 (disable) | Weakens protection | Use only for laboratory diagnostics, with the risk in mind |
| Meltdown | Policy confirmed, applicability accounts for AMD | Do not disable without a test justified by hardware specifics |
| Downfall | Protection confirmed and applies to Intel only | Do not disable for an unverified gain in games |
| VBS, VBS (Memory Integrity, DeviceGuard, HVCI, CG), Memory Integrity (VBS) | Protection mechanisms depend on the edition and configuration | The performance impact must be assessed for a specific system |
| Auto-encryption | The policy applies at the automatic encryption or OOBE stage | Change only with a definite key storage procedure |
| Windows Platform Binary Table | The prohibition of WPBT execution is confirmed | Strengthens protection; not intended for increasing FPS |
Each table row links to the page of the corresponding setting with its mechanism, boundaries and how to revert it.
What is confirmed
Section titled “What is confirmed”The research confirms the existence and applicability of the listed policies in the specified environment. Some values are read at boot, at user sign-in or when a specific feature is accessed. Such events may not appear in a short boot trace, even if the mechanism exists.
The “UAC” variant for Windows 10 is hidden on Windows 11 due to a system version check. The absence of this card does not mean that the setting does not work in the Windows version it is intended for.
What is not confirmed
Section titled “What is not confirmed”A universal improvement in FPS, frame time or overall performance from disabling protection was not measured. The cost of individual checks may change. At the same time, the loss of protection must be taken into account, even if the game remains stable.
Limitations
Section titled “Limitations”- The conclusions were obtained on Windows 11 25H2 build
26200.9168; another build, edition or set of enterprise policies was not checked. - An organization’s MDM and Group Policy may override the applied values, so the result in a domain requires a separate check.
- Some values are read at boot, at user sign-in or on the first access to a feature: a short observation window may not capture the read, even if the mechanism exists.
- The applicability check is qualitative; there are no numerical measurements of load or latency in this research.
For how to reproduce the dynamic part of the observations, see How to check it yourself.
This check was performed by the BoosterX developer himself on his own product settings; no independent audit was conducted. Disclaimer: the developer has a direct interest in the results, so the methodology and boundaries of the check are described explicitly, and the conclusions can be verified against open data — public policy documentation and the actual state of protection on your own system.
Practical conclusion
Section titled “Practical conclusion”Do not combine security settings into a single gaming profile. Choose them for a specific task: preserve protection, remove unnecessary notifications, restrict data collection or perform laboratory diagnostics. It is not recommended to disable Windows Firewall, Smartscreen, AMSI, UAC and CPU vulnerability protection. Prohibiting the execution of the Windows Platform Binary Table strengthens protection.
Restoring the state
Section titled “Restoring the state”Return the setting on the corresponding BoosterX page, then check its state in “Windows Security”. Make sure that your organization’s MDM or Group Policy does not override the choice. To restore an enterprise configuration, a backup of its policies is required.
Sources and boundaries
Section titled “Sources and boundaries”- Microsoft Security baselines — purpose of baseline policies, checked on 2026-09-02.
- Microsoft Defender tamper protection — limitations on modifying Defender, checked on 2026-09-02.
- Windows Security app — visible protection states, checked on 2026-09-02.
The conclusions apply to Windows 11 25H2 build 26200.9168. They are not a universal prediction for another build, edition or enterprise policy.
Public sources checked: 2026-09-02.
Change history
Section titled “Change history”- 2026-09-20: added a strengthened disclaimer about the conflict of interest — the check was performed by the developer himself, no independent audit was conducted — and a link to self-verification in the methodology.
- 2026-09-19: table cards were linked to setting pages, and a separate “Limitations” section was added.
- 2026-09-02: first publication; the applicability of the policies and the direction of the protection change were confirmed, and the boundaries of the performance impact were added.