PxHlpa64.sys, memory integrity on, not compatible

Question

Windows 11 is warning me that 'Memory integrity is off', which makes my system vulnerable to attack. When I try turn it on, PxHlpa64.sys is listed as an incompatible driver. This driver is apparently used by the DVD drive. What can I do to resolve this issue? PxHlpa64.sysSonic SolutionsDriver version: 3.0.93.0Product name: PxHelp64

RoHe · Accepted Answer

@Shimmer66 - Your only solution is to stop using Sonic (Roxio), and completely remove that software from your PC. Unless/until Sonic (Roxio) releases an update, you can't enable "Memory integrity" while this software is still installed.

There may be other CD/DVD burning software you can install in place of Sonic which doesn't cause this conflict, but I haven't looked for any and you'll have to look into it yourself.

I get exactly the same error message on my XPS 8930 running Win 10 21H2 with Sonic installed. I also use the Check Point ZoneAlarm firewall on this PC instead of the Windows firewall, and one of the ZoneAlarm drivers is also listed along with Sonic as being incompatible.

Been using Sonic and ZoneAlarm on this XPS 8930 since 2019 and haven't had any security issues. I only just recently became aware of this Memory Integrity conflict because of that warning message. I don't intend to remove either software package.

Your PC and you may think differently...

EDIT: "Microsoft does not recommend that you delete drivers to attempt to restore this setting."

JOcean · Answer

This web page at file.net may help. I appears it is part of the Sonic burning software and not part of Windows or a driver.

Shimmer66 · Answer

Thanks, but your reply is not quite correct. It is a device driver for the DVD drive, so I can't uninstall it without reducing the functionality of my computer. It came preinstalled on my system by Dell, which is why I'm hoping someone here has a suggestion for how to resolve the problem.

Shimmer66 · Answer

Thanks, but dismissing the message doesn't fix the underlying issue. I'd like to enable memory integrity on my system, if possible.

Chino de Oro · Answer

Hello, a recent Windows update caused that.  The message must be coming from Windows Security formerly known as Windows Defender.  There is an option to dismiss it, select it and the Device Security will be enabled again.

Chino de Oro · Answer

From what I understand, memory integrity is Off by default. Sometimes, Windows updates triggered to turn it on, hence the report of incompatible driver(s).

To turn on memory integrity: a). your device must meet the requirements for standard hardware security such as UEFI, TPM 2.0, and Secure boot, they all must be Enabled. b). any incompatible drivers must be resolved.

Do you know if this core isolation feature on your machine has been On or Off all this time? If you really want to turn it on but the slider button won't work, you can use Registry Editor. But when you use the device with incompatible driver, it may resulted in BSOD. Therefore, I suggested to dismiss the status and don't worry too much about it.

To enable memory integrity using Registry Editor:

Press Win+R to open the Run dialog.
Type regedit and hit the Enter button.
Click on the Yes option.
Navigate to Scenarios in HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE.
Right-click on Scenarios > New > Key.
Name it as HypervisorEnforcedCodeIntegrity.
Right-click on it > New > DWORD (32-bit) Value.
Name it as Enabled.
Double-click on it to set the Value data as 1 to enable and 0 to disable.
Click the OK button.
Restart your computer.

Note: I share my knowledge and providing help with best intention. Any work on your machine will be at your own risk. Always back up your system before attempts.

lat002 · Answer

Search the Roxio support website, for 'PxHlpa64.sys' and it finds this article 'Roxio: You cannot enable the Windows Memory Integrity feature because PxHlpa64.sys is not compatible'. That article explains the issues and you can download it at a .pdf file.

Shimmer66 · Answer

Unfortunately, it doesn't seem to contain a useful resolution. ('You will need to determine which disc burning program is using this PxEngine system file, then either uninstall it completely or reach out to the software developer for a version that is compatible with the Windows Core isolation feature.')

RoHe · Answer

@lat002 Yes, I know which app it is. Only Sonic's CD/DVD burner program uses PxHlpa64.sys on my PC and it's digitally signed by Sonic.

So far- there currently are no updates available to resolve this problem. I'm just going to keep using it and not worry about Core Isolation.

MissNicky · Answer

I do NOT have a DVD drive and I have this same issue. I do not have the software to run a DVD drive. How do I delete this driver?

RoHe · Answer

@MissNicky   - Some other app might need that driver... Search for that exact file name on your C: drive and see what folder it's in, which may tell you what app is using it, before you do anything.

bouldergramp · Answer

This worked for me:

https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_11-other_settings/core-isolation-memory-integrity/50e9c061-80fb-4011-bc7a-6a7c36603aa5?messageId=88a6fea0-a82d-46b8-a71e-9838303146cc

Shimmer66 · Answer

That's interesting, thank you. So you were still able to use the DVD drive after making this change? Do you know what the deleted 'LowerFilters' value is for?

bouldergramp · Answer

Previously, with PxHlpa64.sys deleted, all my DVD drives disappeared from This PC..

Now the physical drive and the virtual drives appear and work fine. (The Dell drive has been flaky since new but it works most of the time.)

I have no idea what the Lower Filters are for but in past years with older computers, editing or deleting upper and lower filters in the registry was a common cure for drive problems.

XPS Desktops

PxHlpa64.sys, memory integrity on, not compatible

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