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How to Disable Credential Guard on Windows 10: Step-by-Step Guide to Fix Issues

Windows 10 includes a security feature called Credential Guard that helps protect your login credentials from attacks. However, in some cases, Credential Guard can cause compatibility issues with certain applications or software. Disabling Credential Guard can help resolve these problems.

This guide will walk you through the process of disabling Credential Guard step-by-step. Each instruction is designed to be simple and easy to follow, even if you have little technical experience.

Before making any changes, it’s important to understand what Credential Guard does and why you might want to disable it. This will help you make informed decisions and avoid unnecessary risks.

Let’s get started with the basic checks and quick notes you should know before disabling Credential Guard.

Quick Note: Prerequisites and Checks

  • Administrator Access: You must be logged in with an administrator account to make these changes.
  • Backup Important Data: Always back up your important files and create a system restore point before modifying system settings.
  • Understand the Impact: Disabling Credential Guard reduces some security protections, so only disable it if necessary.
  • Check Windows Edition: Credential Guard is only available on Windows 10 Enterprise and Education editions. If you have Windows 10 Home or Pro, this guide may not apply.

Step 1: Check if Credential Guard is Enabled

Before disabling Credential Guard, verify if it is active on your system.

  1. Press Windows + R keys to open the Run dialog box.
  2. Type msinfo32 and press Enter. This opens the System Information window.
  3. In the left panel, scroll down and click on System Summary.
  4. Look for the item named “Device Guard Properties” in the right pane.
  5. Check the value next to “Credential Guard”. If it says Running, then Credential Guard is enabled.

If Credential Guard is not running, you don’t need to disable it. Otherwise, proceed to the next step.

Step 2: Disable Credential Guard Using Group Policy Editor

One of the easiest ways to disable Credential Guard is through the Group Policy Editor.

  1. Press Windows + R, type gpedit.msc, and hit Enter to open the Local Group Policy Editor.
  2. In the left pane, navigate to:
    Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > System > Device Guard
  3. Find the policy called “Turn On Virtualization Based Security” and double-click it.
  4. Set the policy to Disabled, then click Apply and OK.
  5. Close the Group Policy Editor.
  6. Restart your computer to apply the changes.

This disables Credential Guard by turning off virtualization-based security features that it relies on.

Step 3: Disable Credential Guard Using Registry Editor

If your system does not have Group Policy Editor (common in Windows 10 Home), you can disable Credential Guard through the Registry Editor.

  1. Press Windows + R, type regedit, and press Enter. Click Yes if prompted by User Account Control.
  2. Navigate to the following key:
    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESYSTEMCurrentControlSetControlDeviceGuard
  3. If you don’t see a value named EnableVirtualizationBasedSecurity, create a new DWORD (32-bit) Value with this exact name.
  4. Set the value of EnableVirtualizationBasedSecurity to 0.
  5. Next, go to:
    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESYSTEMCurrentControlSetControlLsa
  6. Create or modify the DWORD (32-bit) Value named LsaCfgFlags and set its value to 0.
  7. Close the Registry Editor and restart your computer.

Editing the registry disables the virtualization-based security features and clears the Credential Guard flag.

Step 4: Disable Credential Guard Using the System Configuration (msconfig)

Sometimes, Credential Guard is enabled through boot options. Disabling it via System Configuration can help.

  1. Press Windows + R, type msconfig, and press Enter.
  2. Go to the Boot tab.
  3. Click on Advanced options….
  4. Make sure “Hyper-V” or any virtualization-based security options are unchecked.
  5. Click OK, then Apply and OK in the main window.
  6. Restart your computer.

This ensures that virtualization and security features related to Credential Guard are not activated during boot.

Alternative Method: Disable Credential Guard via Windows Defender Application Control (WDAC)

Advanced users can disable Credential Guard by modifying WDAC policies. This method requires creating or editing policies that control virtualization-based security. It is recommended only for IT professionals or experienced users.

For detailed information, refer to Microsoft’s official documentation on WDAC and Credential Guard management.

FAQs

What is Credential Guard, and why does Windows use it?

Credential Guard is a Windows security feature that uses virtualization-based security to protect credentials like NTLM hashes and Kerberos tickets from theft by malware or attackers.

Will disabling Credential Guard make my system less secure?

Yes. Disabling Credential Guard reduces the security of your system, so only disable it if you experience compatibility issues or software conflicts that cannot be resolved otherwise.

Can I re-enable Credential Guard after disabling it?

Yes. You can follow the same steps and enable the related policies or registry values to turn Credential Guard back on.

Is Credential Guard enabled by default on all Windows 10 devices?

No. Credential Guard is typically enabled on enterprise and education editions and on systems with compatible hardware and firmware. It is not enabled by default on Windows 10 Home.

Do I need to disable Hyper-V to turn off Credential Guard?

Often, yes. Credential Guard uses virtualization features, so disabling Hyper-V and virtualization-based security options can help fully disable Credential Guard.

When Nothing Works

If you’ve followed all the steps and Credential Guard remains enabled or you still face issues, consider the following options:

  • Ensure your BIOS/UEFI firmware virtualization settings (such as Intel VT-x or AMD-V) are disabled if you want to disable virtualization-based security.
  • Check for any third-party security software that might enforce Credential Guard or virtualization-based security.
  • Contact Microsoft Support or visit the official Microsoft Credential Guard documentation for advanced troubleshooting.
  • Consider consulting IT professionals if you are on a corporate-managed device.

Conclusion

Disabling Credential Guard on Windows 10 can resolve compatibility issues caused by this security feature. By carefully following the step-by-step instructions from checking its status to disabling it using Group Policy, Registry Editor, or System Configuration, you can safely turn off Credential Guard if needed.

Remember that Credential Guard helps protect your system, so only disable it when absolutely necessary. Always back up your data and understand the security implications before making changes. With these clear steps, you should be able to manage Credential Guard settings effectively and fix related issues on your Windows 10 device.

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