Plus Setup Guide

Plus Setup Guide

Scooby Plus uses a bootloader that loads its kernel driver when your PC restarts. Complete every setup step in order before selecting Load Driver At Next Boot. Take your time and do not skip the checks.

Before you begin: identify your hardware

Keep this guide open on your phone while you are in BIOS. Take photos of the settings before changing them so you can restore the original values if needed.

Press Win + R, type msinfo32, and note these fields in System Summary:

• Processor: tells you whether to look for Intel or AMD setting names.
• System Manufacturer / System Model: use these for a laptop or branded prebuilt PC.
• BaseBoard Manufacturer / BaseBoard Product: use these to identify the motherboard in a custom desktop.
• BIOS Version/Date and OS Name / Version: useful when a menu differs from a tutorial. You can also run winver for the Windows build.

Find the manual on the manufacturer’s support site using the exact model, and board revision if applicable. Two PCs from the same brand can have different menus. If a field is blank or generic, use the model label or purchase details rather than guessing.

1. Check the required settings

This is the required configuration for the Plus bootloader setup described here:

• Hypervisor: off.
• Secure Boot: disabled.
• Firmware Fast Boot: disabled.
• Virtualization-Based Security (VBS): not running.
• Core isolation → Memory integrity (HVCI): off.
• BIOS virtualization: off, including Intel VT-x / VT-d or AMD SVM / IOMMU where present.
• BitLocker / Device Encryption: off for this Plus setup; see the distinction between decryption and suspension below.
• BIOS Mode: UEFI.

Press Win + R, enter msinfo32, and check BIOS Mode, Secure Boot State and Virtualization-based security. If BIOS Mode says Legacy, contact support before changing boot mode: switching an existing installation to UEFI may require disk conversion or other preparation.

2. Prepare BitLocker / Device Encryption

Save your 48-digit recovery key somewhere accessible from another device before changing Secure Boot or other boot settings. Open Manage BitLocker (or Settings → Device encryption, depending on your Windows edition). For the BitLocker-off requirement above, select Turn off BitLocker / turn Device encryption off, and wait until decryption finishes.

If you need to locate the key, follow Microsoft’s recovery-key instructions. It may be saved to the Microsoft account or work/school account used to set up the PC. Keep the key private; support screenshots should not include it.

manage-bde -protectors -disable C:

manage-bde -protectors -enable C:

3. Turn off the hypervisor, VBS and Memory Integrity

1. Open PowerShell as administrator and run:

   bcdedit /set hypervisorlaunchtype off

2. Open Windows Security → Device security → Core isolation details and set Memory integrity to Off.
3. If VBS is enabled, press Win + R, enter regedit, and open this path (you can paste it into Registry Editor’s address bar):

   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\DeviceGuard

   Set EnableVirtualizationBasedSecurity to 0. If the value is missing or managed by your organization, use the VBS troubleshooting guide rather than guessing at other registry settings.
4. Restart your PC to apply the changes. If you are completing the VBS registry step too, you can do both Windows changes before this restart.

If VBS still runs after restarting, complete the firmware steps below and use the VBS/HVCI diagnostic to identify the remaining trigger. HVCI is a Windows security feature; it is not a standard BIOS virtualization toggle.

4. Enter UEFI firmware settings

1. Open Start → Power.
2. Hold Shift and select Restart. Keep holding Shift until the blue Choose an option screen appears.
3. Select Troubleshoot → Advanced options → UEFI Firmware Settings → Restart.

If that option is unavailable, use your device’s setup key at power-on. Common keys include Delete / F2 on desktop motherboards, F2 on Dell, Esc / F10 on HP, and F1 / F2 on Lenovo. Check your model’s manual for the exact key. Surface devices commonly use Volume Up + Power.

You can also reach Advanced startup through Windows 11: Settings → System → Recovery → Advanced startup → Restart now, or Windows 10: Settings → Update & Security → Recovery → Advanced startup. Save your work first. If you miss the setup key, restart and try again; a wired keyboard or the laptop’s built-in keyboard may help before Windows loads.

5. Change Secure Boot, Fast Boot and virtualization

Secure Boot checks boot software against trusted signatures and can block the Plus bootloader. Find Secure Boot under Boot, Security, Authentication, BIOS Features, Advanced or System Configuration. Names vary by model and firmware version; use your model’s manual if these examples do not match.

1. Set Secure Boot to Disabled. If it is greyed out, consult your model’s instructions or open a support ticket. Some models require an administrator/supervisor password or a mode change; do not clear Secure Boot keys or change to Custom mode unless your manufacturer specifically requires it.
2. Set firmware Fast Boot to Disabled so it does not skip the bootloader. This is a firmware setting; Windows Fast Startup is a separate option.
3. Find the CPU / virtualization options, usually under Advanced or Security. Disable the relevant virtualization settings: Intel Virtualization Technology / VT-x, VT-d, AMD SVM and IOMMU, where available. If a label is unfamiliar, open a support ticket with a screenshot so staff can confirm it.
4. Confirm the system remains in UEFI boot mode.
5. Once all changes are complete, choose Save Changes and Exit (often F10), confirm, and let Windows restart.

BIOS pictures: find the outlined setting

Open the example closest to your screen. The outline shows where to look; the “Set this” line tells you the required choice. The real screenshots below cover ASUS, MSI, Gigabyte/AORUS and an ASRock X300TM-ITX layout. Match the brand, model and setting name; firmware versions can look different.

Tap a picture to enlarge it, then choose Zoom in for small labels. Yellow outlines mark the control or choice. Some source pictures show Enabled or Auto: follow the Set this value above the picture. You can use arrow keys and Enter if your firmware does not support a mouse.

Secure Boot — ASUS notebook

Where to go: Security → Secure Boot → Secure Boot Control

Set this: Secure Boot Control → Disabled

Secure Boot — ASUS desktop

Where to go: Boot → Secure Boot → OS Type

Set this: OS Type → Other OS

Fast Boot — ASUS UEFI

Where to go: Boot → Fast Boot

Set this: Fast Boot → Disabled

Intel virtualization — ASUS motherboard

Where to go: Advanced Mode (F7) → Advanced → CPU Configuration

Set this: Intel (VMX) Virtualization Technology → Disabled

Intel CPU + VT-d — MSI Click BIOS X

Where to go: Advanced Mode (F7) → Overclocking → CPU Features

Set this: Intel Virtualization Tech + Intel VT-D Tech → Disabled

AMD virtualization — ASUS notebook

Where to go: Advanced → SVM Mode

Set this: SVM Mode → Disabled

Secure Boot — Gigabyte / AORUS AM4

Set this: Boot → Secure Boot → Disabled

Secure Boot — ASRock X300TM-ITX

Set this: Security → Secure Boot → Disabled

AMD SVM + IOMMU — ASRock X300TM-ITX

Set this: SVM Mode → Disabled; IOMMU → Disabled

Save changes — ASUS notebook

Where to go: Save & Exit, or press F10 after completing all changes

Set this: F10 → confirm Save & reset

Names and locations for other BIOS layouts

Use Restart when applying the setup

Firmware Fast Boot and Windows Fast Startup are different. Windows Fast Startup can preserve the kernel session after Shut down; Start → Power → Restart performs a full boot cycle. Use Restart after arming the driver or changing the Windows settings, rather than Shut down followed by power-on. See Microsoft’s explanation of Restart and Fast Startup.

6. Verify and load Scooby Plus

1. Back in Windows, open msinfo32. Confirm BIOS Mode: UEFI, Secure Boot State: Off, and VBS is not running. Confirm Memory Integrity is off and BitLocker decryption has completed.
2. Open the Scooby loader and select GTA 5.
3. In Kernel protection, select Load Driver At Next Boot, then restart your PC.
4. The supplied setup describes a Scooby bootloader / logo appearing during startup. A missing logo is a reason to check the driver status and setup, rather than proof of one specific failure.
5. Sign back into Windows and open the Scooby loader.
6. Press Load, then launch GTA V with BattlEye enabled.
7. Open your menu interface: ClickUI: F1 / Insert. ListUI: F2.

Final checks after restarting

• System Information: msinfo32 should show BIOS Mode: UEFI, Secure Boot State: Off, and VBS not running. Unsupported is not the same result as Off; check the boot mode and ask support if that is what you see.
• CPU virtualization: open Task Manager → Performance → CPU and look for Virtualization: Disabled. This checks CPU virtualization; it does not separately confirm VT-d / IOMMU or Secure Boot. Confirm those in firmware.
• Memory Integrity: recheck Windows Security → Device security → Core isolation details after the restart.
• VBS / HVCI: run check_vbs.bat as administrator. A successful WMI result should report VBS running: 0 and HVCI running: 0. If the source is REGISTRY or settings return, use the VBS troubleshooting guide.
• Encryption: an administrator terminal can run manage-bde -status C: to inspect conversion status and encryption percentage. For a fully decrypted Windows drive, look for Fully Decrypted and 0.0%; Protection Off alone can mean suspension. Replace C: if Windows uses another drive letter. Microsoft’s status-command reference.

For the red “Hypervisor / VBS is running” banner, continue to the diagnostic and troubleshooting guide.

Missing settings or a different BIOS screen?

Find your loader message

Use the exact message or status shown by your current loader to choose the next step:

EFI not armed

Complete the requirements and final checks, then follow Load Driver At Next Boot and restart.

Driver offline after restarting

Recheck Secure Boot, firmware Fast Boot and virtualization, then capture the Kernel protection panel for support. The boot logo alone does not confirm the driver is available.

Hypervisor / VBS is running

Use the VBS/HVCI diagnostic guide. Include the full output when asking for help.

The game opens, but the menu does not open

Confirm the loader completed loading and click back into the game. Use F1 / Insert for ClickUI or F2 for ListUI. On keyboards that use F1 or F2 for media functions, check the keyboard’s Fn / function-key mode.

The loader itself will not open or shows a runtime error

Start with the Visual C++ runtime downloads and launcher troubleshooting. Record the exact error rather than changing more BIOS settings.

What to include in a support ticket

Send the exact PC or motherboard model, Intel/AMD processor, BIOS version, Windows version/build, a photo of the relevant BIOS screen, the loader’s Kernel protection status and any error or BSOD stop code. Include the diagnostic output if VBS is involved, and say which step you reached. Crop out recovery keys, passwords, account details and serial numbers before sharing.

PC / motherboard model:
Processor (Intel / AMD + model):
BIOS version:
Windows version / build:
GTA V edition (Legacy / Enhanced):
Scooby loader version, if shown:
Last setup step completed:
Exact loader message / BSOD stop code:
Kernel protection status after restart:
BIOS Mode / Secure Boot State (msinfo32):
VBS / HVCI verdict and source (WMI / REGISTRY):
Settings changed and checks already tried:
Did this work before? What changed since then?