A new Windows 11 update blocks a registry tweak that makes SSDs faster.
A recent Windows 11 update has disabled a popular registry tweak that could make NVMe SSDs up to 80 percent faster, to the frustration of power users. The tweak utilized a native NVMe driver from Windows Server 2025, but that option now appears to be blocked by Microsoft, reports PCWorld.
Faster storage via hidden driver
The modification gave users access to a native NVMe driver that is normally unavailable in Windows 11. This bypassed an extra translation layer, resulting in significantly better performance and lower CPU load. According to Microsoft itself, this approach could increase the number of input/output operations per second (IOPS) by up to 80 percent. For users with fast NVMe SSDs, this meant a noticeable boost in daily workloads.
Following the latest update, the registry tweak no longer works, causing Windows to fall back to the standard driver configuration. In some cases, using the unofficial driver caused compatibility issues with tools such as Samsung Magician and potentially with BitLocker. This makes it likely that Microsoft deliberately disabled the tweak to avoid stability issues.
Demand for support increases
The decision comes at a time when storage hardware is becoming more expensive and users are looking for ways to squeeze more performance out of their systems. Users are therefore hoping that Microsoft will officially bring the native NVMe driver to Windows 11 in the future, but without the current compatibility issues. Until then, users will have to continue searching for alternatives, while a simple and powerful performance boost remains out of reach for now.