Intel XTU Unable to Start after latest Maximus Z790 Hero Bios Update

[RickJamesBish]

Prior to the recent update, running most previous BIOS version...

• I had VBS enabled in BIOS.
• Under volt Protection Disabled.
• Disabled all in Windows Core Isolation section.

I had used Intel XTU and created several working under volt profiles that were working great. Immediately after the latest BIOS update, XTU prompted that VBS was preventing it from starting. I confirmed the Windows Core Isolation options had not turned back on. As far as I can tell, everything in the BIOS is set the way it was prior to the update. The only way I can get it to work is disable VBS in the BIOS.

So did the BIOS update change that behavior or is there perhaps another BIOS setting or Windows 11 setting that is causing this?

I

[Jiaszzz_ROG]

Hello, @RickJamesBish 

May I inquire which version you updated from to reach version 2202?
Did the manual BIOS settings prior to the update only include the mentioned items, or were there others as well?
Could you kindly provide the following information to help us better understand your situation?
- screenshots of any error messages encountered with XTU under BIOS 2202
- the images of manually adjusting items in BIOS, such as:

- the brand and model name of the CPU, GPU, RAM (part number and installed slots as well), SSD/HDD, and PSU currently installed

Thank you.

[RickJamesBish]

Previous Bios was 2102.

These items were enabled in 2102 and also enabled again in 2202.

• XMP 1  (No CPU OC / Set to Normal in BIOS)
• Intel Dynamic Tuning 
• Intel VMX 
• Resizable Bar
• In Windows 11 - Core Isolation (all options turned off) 

Intel i7-13700k
G-Skill DDR 5 6800 (2 x 32)
Asus 4090 ROG Strix OC

[Jiaszzz_ROG]

Hello, @RickJamesBish 

Thank you for providing the details.
In order to better explain the situation to the relevant department and verify it, could you please provide the prompt that appears when launching Intel XTU under BIOS 2202, indicating the need to disable VBS?

Thank you.

[RickJamesBish]

This is the same message I got when I initially tried to run Intel XTU using 2102 BIOS, and I had to go into Windows Settings under Core Isolation and disable the settings in that category. XTU then worked, and did so for several days. It stopped working immediately after I booted into Windows after the 2202 update. The first thing I did was confirm the settings under Core Isolation were still disabled, which they were. I also tried re-enabling and disabling them again.

Maybe if you could provide a checklist of BIOS settings that I need to confirm?  Maybe I missed something in the BIOS after the update.

[Jiaszzz_ROG]

Hello, @RickJamesBish 

Thank you for the information and for your patience.
After consulting our relevant departments, we have confirmed that for Intel K-series CPUs, VBS must be disabled to enable the IXTU tool, and this setting is not required for non-K-series CPUs.
To disable VBS, follow these steps:
1. Go to Windows Security > Device Security > Core Isolation.
2. Under Memory Integrity, select Off and restart your system.
3. Open System Information and verify that virtualization-based security is not enabled.
Once these steps are completed, you should be able to launch the IXTU tool.

Thank you.

[RickJamesBish]

See bottom in list. I already did that .. Core Isolation all are OFF

[Silent_Scone]

Hi @RickJamesBish 

I had this, however, undervolt protection needed to be enabled. The rest aren't altered by default.

[Jiaszzz_ROG]

Hello, @RickJamesBish 

Thank you for your response.
Sharing the detailed steps also involves providing setup instructions for other users, as this is a public forum.
After verification by the relevant department, it has been confirmed that the settings requirements are the same for BIOS 2102 and 2202, and the situation you described is considered expected behavior.
Additionally, regarding your discussion thread mentioning disabling VBS in BIOS, could you please provide an image of the VBS BIOS settings?

Thank you.