From 26a1dc80aa06570541caf0633a481af5ca2993f1 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Matteo Collina <hello@matteocollina.com>
Date: Sat, 26 Sep 2026 15:40:22 +0200
Subject: [PATCH 1/2] vfs: unflag

Signed-off-by: Matteo Collina <hello@matteocollina.com>
---
 doc/api/cli.md                                | 27 +++-------
 doc/api/vfs.md                                | 16 +++---
 doc/node.1                                    | 20 +++----
 lib/internal/process/pre_execution.js         |  4 --
 lib/internal/vfs/file_system.js               |  3 +-
 lib/vfs.js                                    |  3 ++
 src/node.cc                                   |  3 --
 src/node_options.cc                           |  5 +-
 test/ffi/test-ffi-vfs.js                      |  2 +-
 .../test-module-builtin-experimental.js       |  4 +-
 .../parallel/test-permission-dlopen-binary.js |  2 +-
 test/parallel/test-require-resolve.js         |  2 -
 test/parallel/test-vfs-access-modes.js        |  2 +-
 test/parallel/test-vfs-addon.js               |  2 +-
 test/parallel/test-vfs-append-write.js        |  2 +-
 test/parallel/test-vfs-bigint-position.js     |  2 +-
 test/parallel/test-vfs-callback-api.js        |  2 +-
 test/parallel/test-vfs-copyfile-mode.js       |  2 +-
 test/parallel/test-vfs-create.js              |  9 ++--
 test/parallel/test-vfs-ctime-update.js        |  2 +-
 test/parallel/test-vfs-destructuring.js       |  2 +-
 test/parallel/test-vfs-dir-handle.js          |  2 +-
 test/parallel/test-vfs-fd.js                  |  2 +-
 test/parallel/test-vfs-file-handle.js         |  2 +-
 test/parallel/test-vfs-flag.js                | 54 +++++++------------
 test/parallel/test-vfs-fs-accessSync.js       |  2 +-
 .../test-vfs-fs-callback-error-paths.js       |  2 +-
 test/parallel/test-vfs-fs-chmod-callback.js   |  2 +-
 test/parallel/test-vfs-fs-chmodSync.js        |  2 +-
 test/parallel/test-vfs-fs-copyFileSync.js     |  2 +-
 test/parallel/test-vfs-fs-createReadStream.js |  2 +-
 .../parallel/test-vfs-fs-createWriteStream.js |  2 +-
 test/parallel/test-vfs-fs-existsSync.js       |  2 +-
 test/parallel/test-vfs-fs-fchmod-callback.js  |  2 +-
 test/parallel/test-vfs-fs-linkSync.js         |  2 +-
 test/parallel/test-vfs-fs-matches-real-fs.js  |  2 +-
 test/parallel/test-vfs-fs-mkdir-callback.js   |  2 +-
 test/parallel/test-vfs-fs-mkdirSync.js        |  2 +-
 test/parallel/test-vfs-fs-mkdtempSync.js      |  2 +-
 test/parallel/test-vfs-fs-open-callback.js    |  2 +-
 test/parallel/test-vfs-fs-openAsBlob.js       |  2 +-
 test/parallel/test-vfs-fs-openSync.js         |  2 +-
 test/parallel/test-vfs-fs-opendir-callback.js |  2 +-
 test/parallel/test-vfs-fs-opendirSync.js      |  2 +-
 .../test-vfs-fs-promises-buffer-encoding.js   |  2 +-
 .../test-vfs-fs-promises-stat-no-throw.js     |  2 +-
 test/parallel/test-vfs-fs-promises.js         |  2 +-
 .../parallel/test-vfs-fs-readFile-callback.js |  2 +-
 test/parallel/test-vfs-fs-readFileSync.js     |  2 +-
 test/parallel/test-vfs-fs-readdirSync.js      |  2 +-
 test/parallel/test-vfs-fs-realpathSync.js     |  2 +-
 test/parallel/test-vfs-fs-rename-callback.js  |  2 +-
 test/parallel/test-vfs-fs-renameSync.js       |  2 +-
 test/parallel/test-vfs-fs-rmSync.js           |  2 +-
 test/parallel/test-vfs-fs-stat-callback.js    |  2 +-
 test/parallel/test-vfs-fs-statSync.js         |  2 +-
 test/parallel/test-vfs-fs-symlink-callback.js |  2 +-
 test/parallel/test-vfs-fs-symlinkSync.js      |  2 +-
 .../parallel/test-vfs-fs-truncate-callback.js |  2 +-
 test/parallel/test-vfs-fs-truncateSync.js     |  2 +-
 test/parallel/test-vfs-fs-watch-dispatch.js   |  2 +-
 .../test-vfs-fs-writeFile-callback.js         |  2 +-
 test/parallel/test-vfs-fs-writeFileSync.js    |  2 +-
 test/parallel/test-vfs-handle-semantics.js    |  2 +-
 test/parallel/test-vfs-hardlink-nlink.js      |  2 +-
 test/parallel/test-vfs-import.mjs             |  2 +-
 .../parallel/test-vfs-invalid-package-json.js |  2 +-
 test/parallel/test-vfs-layer-tag-prefix.mjs   |  2 +-
 test/parallel/test-vfs-lchown-symlink.js      |  2 +-
 test/parallel/test-vfs-link.js                |  2 +-
 test/parallel/test-vfs-load.js                | 13 ++---
 test/parallel/test-vfs-memory-file-handle.js  |  2 +-
 .../test-vfs-memory-provider-dynamic.js       |  2 +-
 .../test-vfs-memory-provider-flags.js         |  2 +-
 test/parallel/test-vfs-memory-provider.js     |  2 +-
 test/parallel/test-vfs-mkdir.js               |  2 +-
 test/parallel/test-vfs-mkdtemp.js             |  2 +-
 .../parallel/test-vfs-module-hooks-cleanup.js |  2 +-
 test/parallel/test-vfs-module-hooks.mjs       |  2 +-
 test/parallel/test-vfs-module-paths.js        |  4 +-
 test/parallel/test-vfs-mount-errors.js        |  2 +-
 test/parallel/test-vfs-mount-point-url.js     |  2 +-
 test/parallel/test-vfs-mount.js               |  2 +-
 test/parallel/test-vfs-multi-mount.js         |  2 +-
 test/parallel/test-vfs-package-json-cache.js  |  2 +-
 test/parallel/test-vfs-package-json.js        |  2 +-
 test/parallel/test-vfs-parent-timestamps.js   |  2 +-
 test/parallel/test-vfs-promises-open.js       |  2 +-
 test/parallel/test-vfs-promises.js            |  2 +-
 .../test-vfs-readdir-symlink-recursive.js     |  2 +-
 test/parallel/test-vfs-readfile-async.js      |  2 +-
 test/parallel/test-vfs-readfile-encoding.js   |  2 +-
 test/parallel/test-vfs-readfile-flag.js       |  2 +-
 .../parallel/test-vfs-real-provider-handle.js |  2 +-
 .../test-vfs-real-provider-promises.js        |  2 +-
 .../test-vfs-real-provider-symlinks.js        |  2 +-
 test/parallel/test-vfs-real-provider-watch.js |  2 +-
 test/parallel/test-vfs-real-provider.js       |  2 +-
 .../test-vfs-rename-symlink-descendant.js     |  2 +-
 test/parallel/test-vfs-rename.js              |  2 +-
 test/parallel/test-vfs-require.js             |  2 +-
 .../test-vfs-reserved-root-unowned.js         |  2 +-
 test/parallel/test-vfs-reserved-root.js       |  2 +-
 test/parallel/test-vfs-rm-edge-cases.js       |  2 +-
 test/parallel/test-vfs-rmdir-symlink.js       |  2 +-
 test/parallel/test-vfs-router.js              |  2 +-
 test/parallel/test-vfs-scoped-cache-purge.js  |  2 +-
 test/parallel/test-vfs-stats-bigint.js        |  2 +-
 test/parallel/test-vfs-stats-helpers.js       |  2 +-
 test/parallel/test-vfs-stats-ino-dev.js       |  2 +-
 test/parallel/test-vfs-stream-errors.js       |  2 +-
 test/parallel/test-vfs-stream-explicit-fd.js  |  2 +-
 test/parallel/test-vfs-stream-properties.js   |  2 +-
 test/parallel/test-vfs-stream-validation.js   |  2 +-
 test/parallel/test-vfs-streams.js             |  2 +-
 test/parallel/test-vfs-symlinks.js            |  2 +-
 test/parallel/test-vfs-truncate-negative.js   |  2 +-
 test/parallel/test-vfs-utimes.js              |  2 +-
 test/parallel/test-vfs-virtual-file-handle.js |  2 +-
 test/parallel/test-vfs-virtual-provider.js    |  2 +-
 test/parallel/test-vfs-watch-abort-signal.js  |  2 +-
 test/parallel/test-vfs-watch-directory.js     |  2 +-
 test/parallel/test-vfs-watch-encoding.js      |  2 +-
 test/parallel/test-vfs-watch-promises.js      |  2 +-
 test/parallel/test-vfs-watch-recursive.js     |  2 +-
 test/parallel/test-vfs-watch.js               |  2 +-
 test/parallel/test-vfs-watchfile.js           |  2 +-
 test/parallel/test-vfs-write-options.js       |  2 +-
 test/parallel/test-vfs-zip-provider-commit.js |  2 +-
 .../parallel/test-vfs-zip-provider-dispose.js |  2 +-
 test/parallel/test-vfs-zip-provider-handle.js |  2 +-
 ...test-vfs-zip-provider-readdir-recursive.js |  2 +-
 test/parallel/test-vfs-zip-provider.js        |  2 +-
 test/parallel/test-zlib-zip-vfs.js            |  2 +-
 134 files changed, 182 insertions(+), 225 deletions(-)

diff --git a/doc/api/cli.md b/doc/api/cli.md
index cafc7ed2e4b2..be6061e14b41 100644
--- a/doc/api/cli.md
+++ b/doc/api/cli.md
@@ -285,7 +285,7 @@ so mounting one is gated on its own flag rather than on `--allow-fs-read` or
 `--allow-fs-write`.
 
 ```console
-$ node --experimental-vfs --permission --allow-fs-vfs app.js
+$ node --permission --allow-fs-vfs app.js
 ```
 
 ### `--allow-fs-write`
@@ -1671,16 +1671,6 @@ with AND, so a test must satisfy every expression to run.
 A malformed expression causes the test runner to exit with a non-zero status
 before running any tests.
 
-### `--experimental-vfs`
-
-<!-- YAML
-added: v26.4.0
--->
-
-> Stability: 1 - Experimental
-
-Enable the experimental [`node:vfs`][] module.
-
 ### `--experimental-vm-modules`
 
 <!-- YAML
@@ -3859,7 +3849,7 @@ added: v26.10.0
 
 * `source` {string} A directory or an archive file to mount and run.
 
-Requires [`--experimental-vfs`][]. May be given at most once.
+May be given at most once.
 
 Mounts `source` as a virtual file system ([`node:vfs`][]), and runs the entry
 point and all subsequent `require()`/`import` resolution against that mount
@@ -3894,18 +3884,17 @@ same thing in all of them.
 
 A worker created with its own `execArgv` inherits none of the parent's options,
 and so does not mount the source at all. To run a script from the mount, such a
-worker must be given the same options again, `--experimental-vfs` and
-`--vfs-load`; without them, that thread has no mount for the script to come
-from, and the worker fails to load it. `--experimental-vfs` is also what makes
-[`node:vfs`][] available to the worker's own code. A worker whose script comes
-from anywhere else, such as the real file system, needs nothing added.
+worker must be given `--vfs-load` again; without it, that thread has no mount
+for the script to come from, and the worker fails to load it. [`node:vfs`][] is
+available to worker code without an experimental flag. A worker whose script
+comes from anywhere else, such as the real file system, needs nothing added.
 
 `--vfs-load` is not permitted in [`NODE_OPTIONS`][]: which entry point runs is
 the command line's decision, and the environment must not be able to redirect
 it.
 
 ```console
-$ node --experimental-vfs --vfs-load=app.zip
+$ node --vfs-load=app.zip
 ```
 
 ### `--watch`
@@ -4231,7 +4220,6 @@ one is included in the list below.
 * `--experimental-stream-iter`
 * `--experimental-test-isolation`
 * `--experimental-top-level-await`
-* `--experimental-vfs`
 * `--experimental-vm-modules`
 * `--experimental-wasi-unstable-preview1`
 * `--experimental-web-worker`
@@ -4864,7 +4852,6 @@ node --stack-trace-limit=12 -p -e "Error.stackTraceLimit" # prints 12
 [`--env-file-if-exists`]: #--env-file-if-existsfile
 [`--env-file`]: #--env-filefile
 [`--experimental-sea-config`]: single-executable-applications.md#1-generating-single-executable-preparation-blobs
-[`--experimental-vfs`]: #--experimental-vfs
 [`--heap-prof-dir`]: #--heap-prof-dir
 [`--import`]: #--importmodule
 [`--no-require-module`]: #--no-require-module
diff --git a/doc/api/vfs.md b/doc/api/vfs.md
index 9742f64114c6..813217db85aa 100644
--- a/doc/api/vfs.md
+++ b/doc/api/vfs.md
@@ -24,8 +24,8 @@ import vfs from 'node:vfs';
 const vfs = require('node:vfs');
 ```
 
-This module is only available under the `node:` scheme, and only when Node.js
-is started with the `--experimental-vfs` flag.
+This module is only available under the `node:` scheme. Loading it emits an
+`ExperimentalWarning`.
 
 ## Security
 
@@ -77,8 +77,9 @@ added: v26.4.0
 * `provider` {VirtualProvider} The provider to use. **Default:**
   `new MemoryProvider()`.
 * `options` {Object}
-  * `emitExperimentalWarning` {boolean} Whether to emit the experimental
-    warning when the instance is created. **Default:** `true`.
+  * `emitExperimentalWarning` {boolean} Whether to emit an experimental warning
+    when an instance is created. **Default:** `true`. Loading `node:vfs` emits
+    the warning regardless of this option.
 * Returns: {VirtualFileSystem}
 
 Convenience factory equivalent to `new VirtualFileSystem(provider, options)`.
@@ -148,7 +149,7 @@ vfs.registerProvider({
 ```
 
 ```console
-$ node --experimental-vfs --require ./provider.js \
+$ node --require ./provider.js \
        --vfs-load archive.customfmt
 ```
 
@@ -193,8 +194,9 @@ added: v26.4.0
 * `provider` {VirtualProvider} The provider to use. **Default:**
   `new MemoryProvider()`.
 * `options` {Object}
-  * `emitExperimentalWarning` {boolean} Whether to emit the experimental
-    warning. **Default:** `true`.
+  * `emitExperimentalWarning` {boolean} Whether to emit an experimental warning
+    when an instance is created. **Default:** `true`. Loading `node:vfs` emits
+    the warning regardless of this option.
 
 ### `vfs.mount()`
 
diff --git a/doc/node.1 b/doc/node.1
index fad3aa95f15f..9acd6bd7af34 100644
--- a/doc/node.1
+++ b/doc/node.1
@@ -174,7 +174,7 @@ A mounted VFS serves paths that the file system permissions do not describe,
 so mounting one is gated on its own flag rather than on \fB--allow-fs-read\fR or
 \fB--allow-fs-write\fR.
 .Bd -literal
-$ node --experimental-vfs --permission --allow-fs-vfs app.js
+$ node --permission --allow-fs-vfs app.js
 .Ed
 .
 .It Fl -allow-fs-write
@@ -896,9 +896,6 @@ with AND, so a test must satisfy every expression to run.
 A malformed expression causes the test runner to exit with a non-zero status
 before running any tests.
 .
-.It Fl -experimental-vfs
-Enable the experimental \fBnode:vfs\fR module.
-.
 .It Fl -experimental-vm-modules
 Enable experimental ES Module support in the \fBnode:vm\fR module.
 .
@@ -1932,7 +1929,7 @@ Print node's version.
 .It
 \fBsource\fR \fB{string}\fR A directory or an archive file to mount and run.
 .El
-Requires \fB--experimental-vfs\fR. May be given at most once.
+May be given at most once.
 Mounts \fBsource\fR as a virtual file system (\fBnode:vfs\fR), and runs the entry
 point and all subsequent \fBrequire()\fR/\fBimport\fR resolution against that mount
 rather than the real file system. The mount is placed at a reserved mount point
@@ -1963,16 +1960,15 @@ mounts it, whatever else that thread mounts, so a path into the mount means the
 same thing in all of them.
 A worker created with its own \fBexecArgv\fR inherits none of the parent's options,
 and so does not mount the source at all. To run a script from the mount, such a
-worker must be given the same options again, \fB--experimental-vfs\fR and
-\fB--vfs-load\fR; without them, that thread has no mount for the script to come
-from, and the worker fails to load it. \fB--experimental-vfs\fR is also what makes
-\fBnode:vfs\fR available to the worker's own code. A worker whose script comes
-from anywhere else, such as the real file system, needs nothing added.
+worker must be given \fB--vfs-load\fR again; without it, that thread has no mount
+for the script to come from, and the worker fails to load it. \fBnode:vfs\fR is
+available to worker code without an experimental flag. A worker whose script
+comes from anywhere else, such as the real file system, needs nothing added.
 \fB--vfs-load\fR is not permitted in \fBNODE_OPTIONS\fR: which entry point runs is
 the command line's decision, and the environment must not be able to redirect
 it.
 .Bd -literal
-$ node --experimental-vfs --vfs-load=app.zip
+$ node --vfs-load=app.zip
 .Ed
 .
 .It Fl -watch
@@ -2228,8 +2224,6 @@ one is included in the list below.
 .It
 \fB--experimental-top-level-await\fR
 .It
-\fB--experimental-vfs\fR
-.It
 \fB--experimental-vm-modules\fR
 .It
 \fB--experimental-wasi-unstable-preview1\fR
diff --git a/lib/internal/process/pre_execution.js b/lib/internal/process/pre_execution.js
index 74f4480565ee..b64cb8128b57 100644
--- a/lib/internal/process/pre_execution.js
+++ b/lib/internal/process/pre_execution.js
@@ -524,10 +524,6 @@ function setupQuic() {
 }
 
 function setupVfs() {
-  if (!getOptionValue('--experimental-vfs')) {
-    return;
-  }
-
   const { BuiltinModule } = require('internal/bootstrap/realm');
   BuiltinModule.allowRequireByUsers('vfs');
 }
diff --git a/lib/internal/vfs/file_system.js b/lib/internal/vfs/file_system.js
index 271359bf6337..4f7405794137 100644
--- a/lib/internal/vfs/file_system.js
+++ b/lib/internal/vfs/file_system.js
@@ -15,7 +15,6 @@ const {
     ERR_INVALID_STATE,
   },
 } = require('internal/errors');
-const { validateBoolean } = require('internal/validators');
 const { MemoryProvider } = require('internal/vfs/providers/memory');
 const path = require('path');
 const { posix: pathPosix, resolve: resolvePath, sep, toNamespacedPath } = path;
@@ -39,6 +38,7 @@ const {
 const { VirtualReadStream, VirtualWriteStream } = require('internal/vfs/streams');
 const { VirtualDir } = require('internal/vfs/dir');
 const { emitExperimentalWarning, kEmptyObject } = require('internal/util');
+const { validateBoolean } = require('internal/validators');
 let debug = require('internal/util/debuglog').debuglog('vfs', (fn) => {
   debug = fn;
 });
@@ -111,7 +111,6 @@ class VirtualFileSystem {
   /**
    * @param {VirtualProvider|object} [providerOrOptions] The provider to use, or options
    * @param {object} [options] Configuration options
-   * @param {boolean} [options.emitExperimentalWarning] Emit the experimental warning (default: true)
    */
   constructor(providerOrOptions, options = kEmptyObject) {
     let provider = null;
diff --git a/lib/vfs.js b/lib/vfs.js
index be47f408adf0..4282eb147c0a 100644
--- a/lib/vfs.js
+++ b/lib/vfs.js
@@ -4,6 +4,9 @@ const {
   FunctionPrototypeSymbolHasInstance,
 } = primordials;
 
+const { emitExperimentalWarning } = require('internal/util');
+emitExperimentalWarning('VirtualFileSystem');
+
 const { VirtualFileSystem } = require('internal/vfs/file_system');
 const { VirtualProvider } = require('internal/vfs/provider');
 const { MemoryProvider } = require('internal/vfs/providers/memory');
diff --git a/src/node.cc b/src/node.cc
index 268f0a4c756b..84aa49ac38b2 100644
--- a/src/node.cc
+++ b/src/node.cc
@@ -1049,9 +1049,6 @@ static ExitCode InitializeNodeWithArgsInternal(
   // count below needs the arguments the command line itself gave.
   {
     auto* env_options = per_process::cli_options->per_isolate->per_env.get();
-    if (!env_options->experimental_vfs && env_options->vfs_load) {
-      errors->push_back("--vfs-load requires --experimental-vfs");
-    }
     // A second --vfs-load would silently replace the first, and the option
     // itself cannot say how often it was given; count it in the node options
     // the command line yielded.
diff --git a/src/node_options.cc b/src/node_options.cc
index 72ac73629d29..33736de69552 100644
--- a/src/node_options.cc
+++ b/src/node_options.cc
@@ -789,8 +789,9 @@ EnvironmentOptionsParser::EnvironmentOptionsParser() {
             NoOp{},
 #endif
             kAllowedInEnvvar);
+  // Retained as a no-op for compatibility; node:vfs is no longer gated.
   AddOption("--experimental-vfs",
-            "experimental node:vfs module",
+            "",
             BOOL_FIELD(experimental_vfs),
             kAllowedInEnvvar);
   // Choosing the entry point is the command line's alone: an environment
@@ -801,7 +802,7 @@ EnvironmentOptionsParser::EnvironmentOptionsParser() {
   AddOption("--vfs-load",
             "mount a directory or archive as a virtual file system and run the "
             "entry point and module resolution against it instead of the real "
-            "file system (may be given once; requires --experimental-vfs)",
+            "file system (may be given once)",
             &EnvironmentOptions::vfs_load_source,
             kDisallowedInEnvvar);
   AddOption("[vfs_load_set]", "", BOOL_FIELD(vfs_load));
diff --git a/test/ffi/test-ffi-vfs.js b/test/ffi/test-ffi-vfs.js
index 884bd9f0d5da..37926e9c3dda 100644
--- a/test/ffi/test-ffi-vfs.js
+++ b/test/ffi/test-ffi-vfs.js
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-// Flags: --experimental-vfs
+// Flags: --disable-warning=ExperimentalWarning
 'use strict';
 const common = require('../common');
 common.skipIfFFIMissing();
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-module-builtin-experimental.js b/test/parallel/test-module-builtin-experimental.js
index 2a3d75e23c1b..3292717c7a4c 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-module-builtin-experimental.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-module-builtin-experimental.js
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
+// Flags: --disable-warning=ExperimentalWarning
 'use strict';
 
 const common = require('../common');
@@ -8,7 +9,6 @@ const experimentalBuiltins = [
   ['bench/reporters', '--experimental-bench', true],
   ['dtls', '--experimental-dtls', common.hasDtls],
   ['quic', '--experimental-quic', common.hasQuic],
-  ['vfs', '--experimental-vfs', true],
 ].filter(([, , available]) => available);
 
 for (const [id, flag] of experimentalBuiltins) {
@@ -51,7 +51,7 @@ if (common.hasFFI) {
   ], { status: 0 });
 }
 
-const schemeOnlyBuiltins = ['node:test', 'node:sea'];
+const schemeOnlyBuiltins = ['node:test', 'node:sea', 'node:vfs'];
 if (common.hasFFI) {
   schemeOnlyBuiltins.push('node:ffi');
 }
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-permission-dlopen-binary.js b/test/parallel/test-permission-dlopen-binary.js
index 3bf2321564fc..d2c10245ac0e 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-permission-dlopen-binary.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-permission-dlopen-binary.js
@@ -92,7 +92,7 @@ function run(...permissions) {
   `;
   const vfsRun = (...permissions) => spawnSync(
     process.execPath,
-    ['--experimental-vfs', '--permission', '--allow-fs-read=*',
+    ['--permission', '--allow-fs-read=*',
      ...permissions, '-e', mounted],
     { encoding: 'utf8' });
 
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-require-resolve.js b/test/parallel/test-require-resolve.js
index 039e6cd7adf4..984afa78a1a9 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-require-resolve.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-require-resolve.js
@@ -62,8 +62,6 @@ require(fixtures.path('resolve-paths', 'default', 'verify-paths.js'));
   builtinModules.forEach((mod) => {
     // TODO(@jasnell): Remove once node:quic is no longer flagged
     if (mod === 'node:quic') return;
-    // Remove once node:vfs is no longer flagged
-    if (mod === 'node:vfs') return;
     if (mod === 'node:sqlite' && !common.hasSQLite) return;
     assert.strictEqual(require.resolve.paths(mod), null);
     if (!mod.startsWith('node:')) {
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-vfs-access-modes.js b/test/parallel/test-vfs-access-modes.js
index 6b4854b204ae..f07b8ecbb5fd 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-vfs-access-modes.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-vfs-access-modes.js
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-// Flags: --experimental-vfs
+// Flags: --disable-warning=ExperimentalWarning
 'use strict';
 
 // access / accessSync honour the R_OK / W_OK / X_OK / F_OK mode bits and
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-vfs-addon.js b/test/parallel/test-vfs-addon.js
index 7ea8fdbf7943..e28225a6c69f 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-vfs-addon.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-vfs-addon.js
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-// Flags: --experimental-vfs
+// Flags: --disable-warning=ExperimentalWarning
 'use strict';
 const common = require('../common');
 const assert = require('assert');
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-vfs-append-write.js b/test/parallel/test-vfs-append-write.js
index fee8a137adee..1818022611aa 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-vfs-append-write.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-vfs-append-write.js
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-// Flags: --experimental-vfs
+// Flags: --disable-warning=ExperimentalWarning
 'use strict';
 
 // writeSync in append mode must append, not overwrite.
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-vfs-bigint-position.js b/test/parallel/test-vfs-bigint-position.js
index d869f93947f8..067a97ddbd44 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-vfs-bigint-position.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-vfs-bigint-position.js
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-// Flags: --experimental-vfs
+// Flags: --disable-warning=ExperimentalWarning
 'use strict';
 
 // VFS readSync should accept a BigInt position parameter.
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-vfs-callback-api.js b/test/parallel/test-vfs-callback-api.js
index dd95a5d75877..9591e57169c9 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-vfs-callback-api.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-vfs-callback-api.js
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-// Flags: --experimental-vfs
+// Flags: --disable-warning=ExperimentalWarning
 'use strict';
 
 // Exercise the VFS callback-style async API on every method.
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-vfs-copyfile-mode.js b/test/parallel/test-vfs-copyfile-mode.js
index 2d701f4f105d..f18448b0e443 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-vfs-copyfile-mode.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-vfs-copyfile-mode.js
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-// Flags: --experimental-vfs
+// Flags: --disable-warning=ExperimentalWarning
 'use strict';
 
 // Tests for VFS copyFile mode support:
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-vfs-create.js b/test/parallel/test-vfs-create.js
index 764e276f0e91..51d503077bfc 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-vfs-create.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-vfs-create.js
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
-// Flags: --experimental-vfs
+// Flags: --disable-warning=ExperimentalWarning
 'use strict';
 
-// Constructor variants and option validation for vfs.create() and
+// Constructor variants for vfs.create() and
 // `new VirtualFileSystem(...)`.
 
 require('../common');
@@ -14,10 +14,9 @@ const vfs = require('node:vfs');
   assert.ok(myVfs.provider instanceof vfs.MemoryProvider);
 }
 
-// vfs.create with first arg as options object (no provider)
+// vfs.create with the options object as its first argument
 {
   const myVfs = vfs.create({ emitExperimentalWarning: false });
-  assert.ok(myVfs);
   assert.ok(myVfs.provider instanceof vfs.MemoryProvider);
 }
 
@@ -28,7 +27,7 @@ const vfs = require('node:vfs');
   assert.strictEqual(myVfs.provider, provider);
 }
 
-// new VirtualFileSystem(options) directly
+// new VirtualFileSystem() directly
 {
   const myVfs = new vfs.VirtualFileSystem({ emitExperimentalWarning: false });
   assert.ok(myVfs);
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-vfs-ctime-update.js b/test/parallel/test-vfs-ctime-update.js
index 227732ce74cd..fe2b183a8643 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-vfs-ctime-update.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-vfs-ctime-update.js
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-// Flags: --experimental-vfs
+// Flags: --disable-warning=ExperimentalWarning
 'use strict';
 
 require('../common');
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-vfs-destructuring.js b/test/parallel/test-vfs-destructuring.js
index e38d15bbb734..3521ae886eac 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-vfs-destructuring.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-vfs-destructuring.js
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-// Flags: --experimental-vfs
+// Flags: --disable-warning=ExperimentalWarning
 'use strict';
 
 const common = require('../common');
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-vfs-dir-handle.js b/test/parallel/test-vfs-dir-handle.js
index 6a26a69ce2d4..8bbd51fd70e0 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-vfs-dir-handle.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-vfs-dir-handle.js
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-// Flags: --experimental-vfs
+// Flags: --disable-warning=ExperimentalWarning
 'use strict';
 
 // Exercise the VirtualDir handle returned by opendirSync.
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-vfs-fd.js b/test/parallel/test-vfs-fd.js
index f9f6b25f51ce..1865e51c7290 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-vfs-fd.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-vfs-fd.js
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-// Flags: --experimental-vfs
+// Flags: --disable-warning=ExperimentalWarning
 'use strict';
 
 const common = require('../common');
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-vfs-file-handle.js b/test/parallel/test-vfs-file-handle.js
index 4b86714fbc53..4ffbb00f5c54 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-vfs-file-handle.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-vfs-file-handle.js
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-// Flags: --experimental-vfs
+// Flags: --disable-warning=ExperimentalWarning
 'use strict';
 
 // Exercise VirtualFileHandle / MemoryFileHandle methods directly via
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-vfs-flag.js b/test/parallel/test-vfs-flag.js
index 14e34c9e8be9..036e59cd7f49 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-vfs-flag.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-vfs-flag.js
@@ -1,59 +1,43 @@
 'use strict';
 
-// node:vfs is gated behind --experimental-vfs. Without the flag the
-// module is not exposed; bare `vfs` (without the node: scheme) is also
-// blocked.
+// node:vfs is available without an experimental flag. The old flag remains a
+// no-op for compatibility, and the module remains available with --no- form.
 
 require('../common');
 const { spawnSyncAndAssert } = require('../common/child_process');
 
-// Without the flag, requiring node:vfs throws ERR_UNKNOWN_BUILTIN_MODULE.
-{
-  spawnSyncAndAssert(process.execPath, [
-    '-e', 'require("node:vfs")',
-  ], { status: 1, stderr: /ERR_UNKNOWN_BUILTIN_MODULE/ });
-}
-
-// Without the flag, importing node:vfs throws ERR_UNKNOWN_BUILTIN_MODULE.
-{
-  spawnSyncAndAssert(process.execPath, [
-    '--input-type=module',
-    '-e', 'import("node:vfs").catch((e) => { console.error(e.code); process.exit(1); });',
-  ], {
-    status: 1,
-    stderr: /ERR_UNKNOWN_BUILTIN_MODULE/,
-  });
-}
-
-// With the flag, node:vfs loads and works.
+// CommonJS and ESM can load node:vfs without a flag.
 {
   const script =
     'const v = require("node:vfs");' +
     'const x = v.create();' +
     'x.writeFileSync("/x", "hi");' +
     'console.log(x.readFileSync("/x", "utf8"));';
-  spawnSyncAndAssert(process.execPath, ['--experimental-vfs', '-e', script], {
+  spawnSyncAndAssert(process.execPath, ['-e', script], {
     stdout: 'hi',
+    stderr: /ExperimentalWarning: VirtualFileSystem is an experimental feature/,
     trim: true,
   });
-}
 
-// Bare `vfs` (no node: scheme) is always blocked.
-{
   spawnSyncAndAssert(process.execPath, [
-    '--experimental-vfs',
-    '-e', "require('vfs')",
-  ], { status: 1, stderr: /Cannot find module 'vfs'/ });
+    '--input-type=module',
+    '-e', 'import("node:vfs").then(({ default: v }) => console.log(typeof v.create));',
+  ], {
+    stdout: 'function\n',
+    stderr: /ExperimentalWarning: VirtualFileSystem is an experimental feature/,
+  });
 }
 
-// Module.builtinModules reflects whether --experimental-vfs is active.
-for (const [flag, expected] of [
-  ['--experimental-vfs', 'true\n'],
-  ['--no-experimental-vfs', 'false\n'],
-]) {
+// The old flag is accepted for compatibility but no longer gates the module.
+for (const flag of ['--experimental-vfs', '--no-experimental-vfs']) {
   spawnSyncAndAssert(process.execPath, [
     flag,
     '-p',
     'require("node:module").builtinModules.includes("node:vfs")',
-  ], { stdout: expected, stderr: '' });
+  ], { stdout: 'true\n', stderr: '' });
 }
+
+// Bare `vfs` (no node: scheme) remains unavailable.
+spawnSyncAndAssert(process.execPath, [
+  '-e', "require('vfs')",
+], { status: 1, stderr: /Cannot find module 'vfs'/ });
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-vfs-fs-accessSync.js b/test/parallel/test-vfs-fs-accessSync.js
index 9d3469608ecc..9cbadc7f3782 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-vfs-fs-accessSync.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-vfs-fs-accessSync.js
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-// Flags: --experimental-vfs
+// Flags: --disable-warning=ExperimentalWarning
 'use strict';
 
 // fs.accessSync dispatches to VFS; missing paths throw ENOENT.
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-vfs-fs-callback-error-paths.js b/test/parallel/test-vfs-fs-callback-error-paths.js
index 5cff379eda66..b38c4908a0ee 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-vfs-fs-callback-error-paths.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-vfs-fs-callback-error-paths.js
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-// Flags: --experimental-vfs
+// Flags: --disable-warning=ExperimentalWarning
 'use strict';
 
 // VFS dispatch on the async callback fs methods must surface provider errors
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-vfs-fs-chmod-callback.js b/test/parallel/test-vfs-fs-chmod-callback.js
index 44f86833c397..db7eaef988c8 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-vfs-fs-chmod-callback.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-vfs-fs-chmod-callback.js
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-// Flags: --experimental-vfs
+// Flags: --disable-warning=ExperimentalWarning
 'use strict';
 
 // fs.chmod, fs.chown, fs.lchown, fs.utimes, and fs.lutimes callbacks dispatch
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-vfs-fs-chmodSync.js b/test/parallel/test-vfs-fs-chmodSync.js
index 91a63c36129e..95b670da51c2 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-vfs-fs-chmodSync.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-vfs-fs-chmodSync.js
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-// Flags: --experimental-vfs
+// Flags: --disable-warning=ExperimentalWarning
 'use strict';
 
 // fs.chmodSync, fs.chownSync, fs.lchownSync, fs.utimesSync, and
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-vfs-fs-copyFileSync.js b/test/parallel/test-vfs-fs-copyFileSync.js
index 3383b460862c..9056991bd9b8 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-vfs-fs-copyFileSync.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-vfs-fs-copyFileSync.js
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-// Flags: --experimental-vfs
+// Flags: --disable-warning=ExperimentalWarning
 'use strict';
 
 // fs.copyFileSync dispatches to VFS when both paths are within the same mount.
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-vfs-fs-createReadStream.js b/test/parallel/test-vfs-fs-createReadStream.js
index 357d7db2b923..55bd267dbb68 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-vfs-fs-createReadStream.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-vfs-fs-createReadStream.js
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-// Flags: --experimental-vfs
+// Flags: --disable-warning=ExperimentalWarning
 'use strict';
 
 // fs.createReadStream dispatches through VFS, including the emitted 'open'
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-vfs-fs-createWriteStream.js b/test/parallel/test-vfs-fs-createWriteStream.js
index 495d4108db37..52ebab4f31b5 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-vfs-fs-createWriteStream.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-vfs-fs-createWriteStream.js
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-// Flags: --experimental-vfs
+// Flags: --disable-warning=ExperimentalWarning
 'use strict';
 
 // fs.createWriteStream dispatches through VFS, exposes a `path` property and
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-vfs-fs-existsSync.js b/test/parallel/test-vfs-fs-existsSync.js
index 5bb6df4c1c20..4adbfb64f03d 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-vfs-fs-existsSync.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-vfs-fs-existsSync.js
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-// Flags: --experimental-vfs
+// Flags: --disable-warning=ExperimentalWarning
 'use strict';
 
 // fs.existsSync dispatches to VFS for paths under a mount.
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-vfs-fs-fchmod-callback.js b/test/parallel/test-vfs-fs-fchmod-callback.js
index e46fd27af424..2deb28d125b5 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-vfs-fs-fchmod-callback.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-vfs-fs-fchmod-callback.js
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-// Flags: --experimental-vfs
+// Flags: --disable-warning=ExperimentalWarning
 'use strict';
 
 // fs.fchmod, fs.fchown, fs.futimes, fs.fdatasync, and fs.fsync callbacks
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-vfs-fs-linkSync.js b/test/parallel/test-vfs-fs-linkSync.js
index e73bcc76df00..cc50992e0d4e 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-vfs-fs-linkSync.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-vfs-fs-linkSync.js
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-// Flags: --experimental-vfs
+// Flags: --disable-warning=ExperimentalWarning
 'use strict';
 
 // fs.linkSync dispatches to VFS for hard links within the same mount.
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-vfs-fs-matches-real-fs.js b/test/parallel/test-vfs-fs-matches-real-fs.js
index a500d796599d..7f80d3af1fbf 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-vfs-fs-matches-real-fs.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-vfs-fs-matches-real-fs.js
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-// Flags: --experimental-vfs
+// Flags: --disable-warning=ExperimentalWarning
 'use strict';
 
 // `node:fs` entry points route mounted paths through the VFS hooks. Where a
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-vfs-fs-mkdir-callback.js b/test/parallel/test-vfs-fs-mkdir-callback.js
index 4caccda70f6d..3386596a1d91 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-vfs-fs-mkdir-callback.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-vfs-fs-mkdir-callback.js
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-// Flags: --experimental-vfs
+// Flags: --disable-warning=ExperimentalWarning
 'use strict';
 
 // fs.mkdir, fs.rmdir, fs.rm, and fs.unlink callbacks dispatch through VFS.
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-vfs-fs-mkdirSync.js b/test/parallel/test-vfs-fs-mkdirSync.js
index 83942b8856be..493185113a5e 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-vfs-fs-mkdirSync.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-vfs-fs-mkdirSync.js
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-// Flags: --experimental-vfs
+// Flags: --disable-warning=ExperimentalWarning
 'use strict';
 
 // fs.mkdirSync dispatches to VFS, including the `recursive: true` form.
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-vfs-fs-mkdtempSync.js b/test/parallel/test-vfs-fs-mkdtempSync.js
index 2fd1e81d7093..e14f0fafe4d6 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-vfs-fs-mkdtempSync.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-vfs-fs-mkdtempSync.js
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-// Flags: --experimental-vfs
+// Flags: --disable-warning=ExperimentalWarning
 'use strict';
 
 // fs.mkdtempSync dispatches to VFS and returns a mount-rooted path, including
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-vfs-fs-open-callback.js b/test/parallel/test-vfs-fs-open-callback.js
index 23a4f8ccadb9..88ba781c2691 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-vfs-fs-open-callback.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-vfs-fs-open-callback.js
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-// Flags: --experimental-vfs
+// Flags: --disable-warning=ExperimentalWarning
 'use strict';
 
 // fs.open / fs.fstat / fs.read / fs.write / fs.close / fs.ftruncate callbacks
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-vfs-fs-openAsBlob.js b/test/parallel/test-vfs-fs-openAsBlob.js
index d00b7533804f..60be82efff13 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-vfs-fs-openAsBlob.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-vfs-fs-openAsBlob.js
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-// Flags: --experimental-vfs
+// Flags: --disable-warning=ExperimentalWarning
 'use strict';
 
 // fs.openAsBlob and fs.openAsBlobSync dispatch to VFS and return Blobs over the virtual file.
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-vfs-fs-openSync.js b/test/parallel/test-vfs-fs-openSync.js
index d1155e36cb14..cd2b97c4cdd1 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-vfs-fs-openSync.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-vfs-fs-openSync.js
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-// Flags: --experimental-vfs
+// Flags: --disable-warning=ExperimentalWarning
 'use strict';
 
 // fs.openSync / fs.readSync / fs.writeSync / fs.fstatSync / fs.closeSync /
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-vfs-fs-opendir-callback.js b/test/parallel/test-vfs-fs-opendir-callback.js
index 6b1f6fe5f884..1f16ca3c59f6 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-vfs-fs-opendir-callback.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-vfs-fs-opendir-callback.js
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-// Flags: --experimental-vfs
+// Flags: --disable-warning=ExperimentalWarning
 'use strict';
 
 // fs.opendir callback dispatches through VFS, both via readSync() iteration
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-vfs-fs-opendirSync.js b/test/parallel/test-vfs-fs-opendirSync.js
index 260b3114d104..21d5b6bbc91c 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-vfs-fs-opendirSync.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-vfs-fs-opendirSync.js
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-// Flags: --experimental-vfs
+// Flags: --disable-warning=ExperimentalWarning
 'use strict';
 
 // fs.opendirSync dispatches to VFS and returns a Dir-like iterable.
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-vfs-fs-promises-buffer-encoding.js b/test/parallel/test-vfs-fs-promises-buffer-encoding.js
index 0c371c9c4587..b77bc83dec50 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-vfs-fs-promises-buffer-encoding.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-vfs-fs-promises-buffer-encoding.js
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-// Flags: --experimental-vfs
+// Flags: --disable-warning=ExperimentalWarning
 'use strict';
 
 // The promise-based fs methods that accept `encoding: 'buffer'` must convert
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-vfs-fs-promises-stat-no-throw.js b/test/parallel/test-vfs-fs-promises-stat-no-throw.js
index 0b9b28ea1012..5cc237771e6c 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-vfs-fs-promises-stat-no-throw.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-vfs-fs-promises-stat-no-throw.js
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-// Flags: --experimental-vfs
+// Flags: --disable-warning=ExperimentalWarning
 'use strict';
 
 // fsp.stat() with throwIfNoEntry: false on a missing path within a mount
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-vfs-fs-promises.js b/test/parallel/test-vfs-fs-promises.js
index b720aad37ccc..f07d466bfaae 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-vfs-fs-promises.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-vfs-fs-promises.js
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-// Flags: --experimental-vfs
+// Flags: --disable-warning=ExperimentalWarning
 'use strict';
 
 // fs/promises dispatches through VFS for each supported path-based and
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-vfs-fs-readFile-callback.js b/test/parallel/test-vfs-fs-readFile-callback.js
index 653e79e395a2..8fff0cf054f8 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-vfs-fs-readFile-callback.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-vfs-fs-readFile-callback.js
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-// Flags: --experimental-vfs
+// Flags: --disable-warning=ExperimentalWarning
 'use strict';
 
 // fs.readFile, fs.readdir, fs.realpath, fs.access, and fs.exists callbacks
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-vfs-fs-readFileSync.js b/test/parallel/test-vfs-fs-readFileSync.js
index 297a88551014..5426d35d981b 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-vfs-fs-readFileSync.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-vfs-fs-readFileSync.js
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-// Flags: --experimental-vfs
+// Flags: --disable-warning=ExperimentalWarning
 'use strict';
 
 // fs.readFileSync dispatches to VFS for both string paths and VFS-owned fds.
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-vfs-fs-readdirSync.js b/test/parallel/test-vfs-fs-readdirSync.js
index ee1a1a258b3c..5c448acd0340 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-vfs-fs-readdirSync.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-vfs-fs-readdirSync.js
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-// Flags: --experimental-vfs
+// Flags: --disable-warning=ExperimentalWarning
 'use strict';
 
 // fs.readdirSync dispatches to VFS, including the buffer-encoding and
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-vfs-fs-realpathSync.js b/test/parallel/test-vfs-fs-realpathSync.js
index 2d87b1e87d3b..30ddcd65a921 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-vfs-fs-realpathSync.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-vfs-fs-realpathSync.js
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-// Flags: --experimental-vfs
+// Flags: --disable-warning=ExperimentalWarning
 'use strict';
 
 // fs.realpathSync dispatches to VFS and returns a mount-rooted absolute path.
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-vfs-fs-rename-callback.js b/test/parallel/test-vfs-fs-rename-callback.js
index dd426c181e4a..497304833dce 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-vfs-fs-rename-callback.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-vfs-fs-rename-callback.js
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-// Flags: --experimental-vfs
+// Flags: --disable-warning=ExperimentalWarning
 'use strict';
 
 // fs.rename and fs.copyFile callbacks dispatch through VFS.
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-vfs-fs-renameSync.js b/test/parallel/test-vfs-fs-renameSync.js
index 1f1cbf6b394d..469fb773280b 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-vfs-fs-renameSync.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-vfs-fs-renameSync.js
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-// Flags: --experimental-vfs
+// Flags: --disable-warning=ExperimentalWarning
 'use strict';
 
 // fs.renameSync dispatches to VFS when both paths are within the same mount.
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-vfs-fs-rmSync.js b/test/parallel/test-vfs-fs-rmSync.js
index 4f3af281d61a..2174be7b4695 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-vfs-fs-rmSync.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-vfs-fs-rmSync.js
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-// Flags: --experimental-vfs
+// Flags: --disable-warning=ExperimentalWarning
 'use strict';
 
 // fs.rmSync, fs.rmdirSync, and fs.unlinkSync dispatch to VFS.
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-vfs-fs-stat-callback.js b/test/parallel/test-vfs-fs-stat-callback.js
index bd3494b73fec..d44a426faeb2 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-vfs-fs-stat-callback.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-vfs-fs-stat-callback.js
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-// Flags: --experimental-vfs
+// Flags: --disable-warning=ExperimentalWarning
 'use strict';
 
 // fs.stat and fs.lstat callbacks dispatch through VFS.
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-vfs-fs-statSync.js b/test/parallel/test-vfs-fs-statSync.js
index 6e5d27c3059e..28150f248b12 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-vfs-fs-statSync.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-vfs-fs-statSync.js
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-// Flags: --experimental-vfs
+// Flags: --disable-warning=ExperimentalWarning
 'use strict';
 
 // fs.statSync / fs.lstatSync / fs.statfsSync dispatch through the VFS layer,
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-vfs-fs-symlink-callback.js b/test/parallel/test-vfs-fs-symlink-callback.js
index e35eeb38b980..ee2ce8b989e1 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-vfs-fs-symlink-callback.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-vfs-fs-symlink-callback.js
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-// Flags: --experimental-vfs
+// Flags: --disable-warning=ExperimentalWarning
 'use strict';
 
 // fs.symlink and fs.readlink callbacks dispatch through VFS.
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-vfs-fs-symlinkSync.js b/test/parallel/test-vfs-fs-symlinkSync.js
index 5a39cc281e05..d27914ab2e5d 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-vfs-fs-symlinkSync.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-vfs-fs-symlinkSync.js
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-// Flags: --experimental-vfs
+// Flags: --disable-warning=ExperimentalWarning
 'use strict';
 
 // fs.symlinkSync and fs.readlinkSync dispatch through VFS, including the
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-vfs-fs-truncate-callback.js b/test/parallel/test-vfs-fs-truncate-callback.js
index 1399bf6ed149..a2f00f351217 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-vfs-fs-truncate-callback.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-vfs-fs-truncate-callback.js
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-// Flags: --experimental-vfs
+// Flags: --disable-warning=ExperimentalWarning
 'use strict';
 
 // fs.truncate, fs.link, and fs.mkdtemp callbacks dispatch through VFS.
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-vfs-fs-truncateSync.js b/test/parallel/test-vfs-fs-truncateSync.js
index d4ed16f8fb87..218a4d912c65 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-vfs-fs-truncateSync.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-vfs-fs-truncateSync.js
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-// Flags: --experimental-vfs
+// Flags: --disable-warning=ExperimentalWarning
 'use strict';
 
 // fs.truncateSync dispatches to VFS and shrinks the file content.
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-vfs-fs-watch-dispatch.js b/test/parallel/test-vfs-fs-watch-dispatch.js
index e9952919193b..08ea064e3df0 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-vfs-fs-watch-dispatch.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-vfs-fs-watch-dispatch.js
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-// Flags: --experimental-vfs
+// Flags: --disable-warning=ExperimentalWarning
 'use strict';
 
 // fs.watch on a path under a mount returns the provider's watcher object
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-vfs-fs-writeFile-callback.js b/test/parallel/test-vfs-fs-writeFile-callback.js
index ce22b6b8811a..aa2b2c49668a 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-vfs-fs-writeFile-callback.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-vfs-fs-writeFile-callback.js
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-// Flags: --experimental-vfs
+// Flags: --disable-warning=ExperimentalWarning
 'use strict';
 
 // fs.writeFile and fs.appendFile callbacks dispatch through VFS.
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-vfs-fs-writeFileSync.js b/test/parallel/test-vfs-fs-writeFileSync.js
index 7bde5f6c7b85..8e2bd949877c 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-vfs-fs-writeFileSync.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-vfs-fs-writeFileSync.js
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-// Flags: --experimental-vfs
+// Flags: --disable-warning=ExperimentalWarning
 'use strict';
 
 // fs.writeFileSync and fs.appendFileSync dispatch to VFS.
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-vfs-handle-semantics.js b/test/parallel/test-vfs-handle-semantics.js
index 3cd38fb7f833..4243b665abb3 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-vfs-handle-semantics.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-vfs-handle-semantics.js
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-// Flags: --experimental-vfs
+// Flags: --disable-warning=ExperimentalWarning
 'use strict';
 
 // A file handle on a mounted path must answer the same `node:fs` calls the
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-vfs-hardlink-nlink.js b/test/parallel/test-vfs-hardlink-nlink.js
index 8a58d0e9d590..7a69fc0bf847 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-vfs-hardlink-nlink.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-vfs-hardlink-nlink.js
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-// Flags: --experimental-vfs
+// Flags: --disable-warning=ExperimentalWarning
 'use strict';
 
 // Test that nlink count is updated correctly when creating/removing hard links.
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-vfs-import.mjs b/test/parallel/test-vfs-import.mjs
index 03e1047c7b79..2dd359ad9abe 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-vfs-import.mjs
+++ b/test/parallel/test-vfs-import.mjs
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-// Flags: --experimental-vfs
+// Flags: --disable-warning=ExperimentalWarning
 import '../common/index.mjs';
 import assert from 'assert';
 import { pathToFileURL } from 'node:url';
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-vfs-invalid-package-json.js b/test/parallel/test-vfs-invalid-package-json.js
index 99589d16afbb..1b7202464d00 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-vfs-invalid-package-json.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-vfs-invalid-package-json.js
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-// Flags: --experimental-vfs --expose-internals
+// Flags: --disable-warning=ExperimentalWarning --expose-internals
 'use strict';
 
 const common = require('../common');
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-vfs-layer-tag-prefix.mjs b/test/parallel/test-vfs-layer-tag-prefix.mjs
index c4083e53999c..1b6ce5885792 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-vfs-layer-tag-prefix.mjs
+++ b/test/parallel/test-vfs-layer-tag-prefix.mjs
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-// Flags: --experimental-vfs
+// Flags: --disable-warning=ExperimentalWarning
 
 // Regression: unmounting a layer whose id is a decimal prefix of another
 // (e.g. layer 1 vs layer 10) must not purge the other's ESM cache entries.
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-vfs-lchown-symlink.js b/test/parallel/test-vfs-lchown-symlink.js
index 6154e9fb2de9..a89d5d887220 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-vfs-lchown-symlink.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-vfs-lchown-symlink.js
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-// Flags: --experimental-vfs
+// Flags: --disable-warning=ExperimentalWarning
 'use strict';
 
 const common = require('../common');
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-vfs-link.js b/test/parallel/test-vfs-link.js
index 6925ad004fd9..9596b6346d4b 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-vfs-link.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-vfs-link.js
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-// Flags: --experimental-vfs
+// Flags: --disable-warning=ExperimentalWarning
 'use strict';
 
 // Hard-link error cases: creating a link to a directory or to an
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-vfs-load.js b/test/parallel/test-vfs-load.js
index 09db73c8fac1..3d20064e7abc 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-vfs-load.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-vfs-load.js
@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@ let id = 0;
 function fixture(name) { return path.join(tmpdir.path, `${id++}-${name}`); }
 
 function run(args) {
-  return spawnSync(process.execPath, ['--experimental-vfs', ...args], { encoding: 'utf8' });
+  return spawnSync(process.execPath, args, { encoding: 'utf8' });
 }
 
 // Node.js can be built without NODE_OPTIONS support, in which case the
@@ -198,7 +198,7 @@ parentPort.postMessage('hello from esm worker in mount');
 const path = require('path');
 const { Worker } = require('worker_threads');
 const w = new Worker(path.join(__dirname, 'worker.js'), {
-  execArgv: ['--experimental-vfs', '--vfs-load=' + process.argv[1]],
+  execArgv: ['--vfs-load=' + process.argv[1]],
 });
 w.on('message', (m) => { console.log(m); process.exit(0); });
 w.on('error', (e) => { console.error(e); process.exit(1); });
@@ -308,8 +308,7 @@ if (hasNodeOptions) {
 
   // On its own, and alongside a --vfs-load the command line legitimately gave:
   // the environment is refused either way rather than merged.
-  for (const args of [['--experimental-vfs'],
-                      ['--experimental-vfs', `--vfs-load=${dir}`]]) {
+  for (const args of [[], [`--vfs-load=${dir}`]]) {
     const res = spawnSync(process.execPath, args, {
       encoding: 'utf8',
       env: { ...process.env, NODE_OPTIONS: envArg('--vfs-load', dir) },
@@ -319,10 +318,8 @@ if (hasNodeOptions) {
   }
 }
 
-// --experimental-vfs and --vfs-load may arrive from different places: the
-// options are validated once every source has been parsed, so a --vfs-load on
-// the command line is not rejected for an --experimental-vfs that only
-// NODE_OPTIONS carries.
+// The old --experimental-vfs option remains accepted in NODE_OPTIONS, but no
+// longer gates --vfs-load.
 if (hasNodeOptions) {
   const dir = fixture('env-flag-cli-load');
   fs.mkdirSync(dir, { recursive: true });
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-vfs-memory-file-handle.js b/test/parallel/test-vfs-memory-file-handle.js
index 5a00b437a337..30dcdb5f0e8c 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-vfs-memory-file-handle.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-vfs-memory-file-handle.js
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-// Flags: --experimental-vfs --expose-internals
+// Flags: --disable-warning=ExperimentalWarning --expose-internals
 'use strict';
 
 // MemoryFileHandle internals: the "stats not available" path when there
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-vfs-memory-provider-dynamic.js b/test/parallel/test-vfs-memory-provider-dynamic.js
index 13ed609820e7..a70abe179aaf 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-vfs-memory-provider-dynamic.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-vfs-memory-provider-dynamic.js
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-// Flags: --experimental-vfs --expose-internals
+// Flags: --disable-warning=ExperimentalWarning --expose-internals
 'use strict';
 
 // MemoryProvider supports dynamic content providers and lazily-populated
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-vfs-memory-provider-flags.js b/test/parallel/test-vfs-memory-provider-flags.js
index 08963208278b..d9cadf08f104 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-vfs-memory-provider-flags.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-vfs-memory-provider-flags.js
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-// Flags: --experimental-vfs
+// Flags: --disable-warning=ExperimentalWarning
 'use strict';
 
 // MemoryProvider: numeric open flags (mirroring fs.constants.O_*) must be
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-vfs-memory-provider.js b/test/parallel/test-vfs-memory-provider.js
index c45ee69f679b..9b479549cce5 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-vfs-memory-provider.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-vfs-memory-provider.js
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-// Flags: --experimental-vfs --expose-internals
+// Flags: --disable-warning=ExperimentalWarning --expose-internals
 'use strict';
 
 const common = require('../common');
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-vfs-mkdir.js b/test/parallel/test-vfs-mkdir.js
index 22487324d242..f446a72ba6b6 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-vfs-mkdir.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-vfs-mkdir.js
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-// Flags: --experimental-vfs
+// Flags: --disable-warning=ExperimentalWarning
 'use strict';
 
 // mkdirSync / rmdirSync behaviour: return value, recursive option, mode
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-vfs-mkdtemp.js b/test/parallel/test-vfs-mkdtemp.js
index f2140e2bc7df..d86c88046e53 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-vfs-mkdtemp.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-vfs-mkdtemp.js
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-// Flags: --experimental-vfs
+// Flags: --disable-warning=ExperimentalWarning
 'use strict';
 
 // mkdtemp / mkdtempSync behaviour.
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-vfs-module-hooks-cleanup.js b/test/parallel/test-vfs-module-hooks-cleanup.js
index 825957497d1e..23747c5ac5c6 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-vfs-module-hooks-cleanup.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-vfs-module-hooks-cleanup.js
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-// Flags: --experimental-vfs
+// Flags: --disable-warning=ExperimentalWarning
 'use strict';
 
 const common = require('../common');
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-vfs-module-hooks.mjs b/test/parallel/test-vfs-module-hooks.mjs
index 9629b3bdbaf6..b48b2e1235de 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-vfs-module-hooks.mjs
+++ b/test/parallel/test-vfs-module-hooks.mjs
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-// Flags: --experimental-vfs
+// Flags: --disable-warning=ExperimentalWarning
 import '../common/index.mjs';
 import assert from 'assert';
 import { createRequire } from 'module';
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-vfs-module-paths.js b/test/parallel/test-vfs-module-paths.js
index 25c0ce0ba26a..f3b480521608 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-vfs-module-paths.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-vfs-module-paths.js
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-// Flags: --experimental-vfs
+// Flags: --disable-warning=ExperimentalWarning
 'use strict';
 
 // The `node_modules` lookup for modules inside a mounted VFS stops at the
@@ -91,7 +91,7 @@ const tmpdir = require('../common/tmpdir');
   fs.writeFileSync(path.join(globalDir, 'gdep', 'index.js'),
                    'module.exports = "from-node-path";');
 
-  const out = execFileSync(process.execPath, ['--experimental-vfs', '-e', `
+  const out = execFileSync(process.execPath, ['-e', `
     const vfs = require('node:vfs');
     const path = require('path');
     const myVfs = vfs.create();
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-vfs-mount-errors.js b/test/parallel/test-vfs-mount-errors.js
index dd0fef606421..a686dc3e4e30 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-vfs-mount-errors.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-vfs-mount-errors.js
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-// Flags: --experimental-vfs --expose-internals
+// Flags: --disable-warning=ExperimentalWarning --expose-internals
 'use strict';
 
 // Error paths in the VFS mount layer:
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-vfs-mount-point-url.js b/test/parallel/test-vfs-mount-point-url.js
index 717919a26909..76f5de469644 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-vfs-mount-point-url.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-vfs-mount-point-url.js
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-// Flags: --experimental-vfs
+// Flags: --disable-warning=ExperimentalWarning
 'use strict';
 
 require('../common');
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-vfs-mount.js b/test/parallel/test-vfs-mount.js
index 2334e7d1e7ec..3dc35fe6bd55 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-vfs-mount.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-vfs-mount.js
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-// Flags: --experimental-vfs
+// Flags: --disable-warning=ExperimentalWarning
 'use strict';
 
 const common = require('../common');
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-vfs-multi-mount.js b/test/parallel/test-vfs-multi-mount.js
index 7539c0a6f028..7a6db448ce3b 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-vfs-multi-mount.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-vfs-multi-mount.js
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-// Flags: --experimental-vfs
+// Flags: --disable-warning=ExperimentalWarning
 'use strict';
 
 // Two concurrent mounts must each route to its own VFS without
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-vfs-package-json-cache.js b/test/parallel/test-vfs-package-json-cache.js
index 7a787d613fc2..db897e674d78 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-vfs-package-json-cache.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-vfs-package-json-cache.js
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-// Flags: --experimental-vfs
+// Flags: --disable-warning=ExperimentalWarning
 'use strict';
 
 // Package.json caches must be cleared on VFS unmount.
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-vfs-package-json.js b/test/parallel/test-vfs-package-json.js
index 9b8dbe868123..6cd0f5794acb 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-vfs-package-json.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-vfs-package-json.js
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-// Flags: --experimental-vfs --expose-internals
+// Flags: --disable-warning=ExperimentalWarning --expose-internals
 'use strict';
 
 require('../common');
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-vfs-parent-timestamps.js b/test/parallel/test-vfs-parent-timestamps.js
index d12b2e7ec541..2cef93602f0f 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-vfs-parent-timestamps.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-vfs-parent-timestamps.js
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-// Flags: --experimental-vfs
+// Flags: --disable-warning=ExperimentalWarning
 'use strict';
 
 // Operations that modify a directory should bump its mtime/ctime.
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-vfs-promises-open.js b/test/parallel/test-vfs-promises-open.js
index 280627ce73bb..5f21c3dde2e4 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-vfs-promises-open.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-vfs-promises-open.js
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-// Flags: --experimental-vfs
+// Flags: --disable-warning=ExperimentalWarning
 'use strict';
 
 // VFS promises.open returns a usable handle.
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-vfs-promises.js b/test/parallel/test-vfs-promises.js
index 85b1b68b1a17..affccf28db06 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-vfs-promises.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-vfs-promises.js
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-// Flags: --experimental-vfs --expose-internals
+// Flags: --disable-warning=ExperimentalWarning --expose-internals
 'use strict';
 
 const common = require('../common');
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-vfs-readdir-symlink-recursive.js b/test/parallel/test-vfs-readdir-symlink-recursive.js
index ce0538ec1ca2..e088118c9c8a 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-vfs-readdir-symlink-recursive.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-vfs-readdir-symlink-recursive.js
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-// Flags: --experimental-vfs
+// Flags: --disable-warning=ExperimentalWarning
 'use strict';
 
 // Recursive readdir must follow symlinks to directories.
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-vfs-readfile-async.js b/test/parallel/test-vfs-readfile-async.js
index 79580a915973..033af3488f2a 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-vfs-readfile-async.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-vfs-readfile-async.js
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-// Flags: --experimental-vfs
+// Flags: --disable-warning=ExperimentalWarning
 'use strict';
 
 // VFS readFile callback API.
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-vfs-readfile-encoding.js b/test/parallel/test-vfs-readfile-encoding.js
index c80a56cce35b..86a9fdee8e28 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-vfs-readfile-encoding.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-vfs-readfile-encoding.js
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-// Flags: --experimental-vfs
+// Flags: --disable-warning=ExperimentalWarning
 'use strict';
 
 // readFileSync with invalid encoding must throw.
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-vfs-readfile-flag.js b/test/parallel/test-vfs-readfile-flag.js
index 5fcfc902b791..99e2a9f31607 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-vfs-readfile-flag.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-vfs-readfile-flag.js
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-// Flags: --experimental-vfs
+// Flags: --disable-warning=ExperimentalWarning
 'use strict';
 
 const common = require('../common');
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-vfs-real-provider-handle.js b/test/parallel/test-vfs-real-provider-handle.js
index e7b5465a594d..7910e6f78763 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-vfs-real-provider-handle.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-vfs-real-provider-handle.js
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-// Flags: --experimental-vfs --expose-internals
+// Flags: --disable-warning=ExperimentalWarning --expose-internals
 'use strict';
 
 // RealFileHandle: sync and async file-handle operations, plus EBADF
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-vfs-real-provider-promises.js b/test/parallel/test-vfs-real-provider-promises.js
index 932a30fd086d..21ff7533993c 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-vfs-real-provider-promises.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-vfs-real-provider-promises.js
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-// Flags: --experimental-vfs
+// Flags: --disable-warning=ExperimentalWarning
 'use strict';
 
 // Promises API for RealFSProvider: every async/promises method,
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-vfs-real-provider-symlinks.js b/test/parallel/test-vfs-real-provider-symlinks.js
index d84c17ecd849..5c946bbfad81 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-vfs-real-provider-symlinks.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-vfs-real-provider-symlinks.js
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-// Flags: --experimental-vfs
+// Flags: --disable-warning=ExperimentalWarning
 'use strict';
 
 // Symlink and path-escape behaviour for RealFSProvider.
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-vfs-real-provider-watch.js b/test/parallel/test-vfs-real-provider-watch.js
index 056744c5fd0c..035632562025 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-vfs-real-provider-watch.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-vfs-real-provider-watch.js
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-// Flags: --experimental-vfs
+// Flags: --disable-warning=ExperimentalWarning
 'use strict';
 
 // watch / promises.watch / watchFile through RealFSProvider.
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-vfs-real-provider.js b/test/parallel/test-vfs-real-provider.js
index a54181d8f6dc..6ddba52aa73f 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-vfs-real-provider.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-vfs-real-provider.js
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-// Flags: --experimental-vfs
+// Flags: --disable-warning=ExperimentalWarning
 'use strict';
 
 // Synchronous API for RealFSProvider: construction, basic file ops,
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-vfs-rename-symlink-descendant.js b/test/parallel/test-vfs-rename-symlink-descendant.js
index 4781f804531a..b7471f4baca1 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-vfs-rename-symlink-descendant.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-vfs-rename-symlink-descendant.js
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-// Flags: --experimental-vfs
+// Flags: --disable-warning=ExperimentalWarning
 'use strict';
 
 const common = require('../common');
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-vfs-rename.js b/test/parallel/test-vfs-rename.js
index b1ca98dc684e..5468bd6f4f28 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-vfs-rename.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-vfs-rename.js
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-// Flags: --experimental-vfs
+// Flags: --disable-warning=ExperimentalWarning
 'use strict';
 
 // Rename behaviour: overwrite, type mismatches, same-parent rename.
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-vfs-require.js b/test/parallel/test-vfs-require.js
index 3e6869672272..a10a311551d3 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-vfs-require.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-vfs-require.js
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-// Flags: --experimental-vfs
+// Flags: --disable-warning=ExperimentalWarning
 'use strict';
 
 const common = require('../common');
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-vfs-reserved-root-unowned.js b/test/parallel/test-vfs-reserved-root-unowned.js
index e6a5b319f610..1a7420f43758 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-vfs-reserved-root-unowned.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-vfs-reserved-root-unowned.js
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-// Flags: --experimental-vfs --expose-internals
+// Flags: --disable-warning=ExperimentalWarning --expose-internals
 'use strict';
 
 // The module loader manufactures paths under the reserved VFS root that no
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-vfs-reserved-root.js b/test/parallel/test-vfs-reserved-root.js
index 9de39fb8ff98..c8c04a170d82 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-vfs-reserved-root.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-vfs-reserved-root.js
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-// Flags: --experimental-vfs
+// Flags: --disable-warning=ExperimentalWarning
 'use strict';
 
 const common = require('../common');
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-vfs-rm-edge-cases.js b/test/parallel/test-vfs-rm-edge-cases.js
index 9961940aea83..99fceb3c8289 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-vfs-rm-edge-cases.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-vfs-rm-edge-cases.js
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-// Flags: --experimental-vfs
+// Flags: --disable-warning=ExperimentalWarning
 'use strict';
 
 // Tests for VFS rmSync edge cases:
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-vfs-rmdir-symlink.js b/test/parallel/test-vfs-rmdir-symlink.js
index fba1981322f5..b28da8fdeafb 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-vfs-rmdir-symlink.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-vfs-rmdir-symlink.js
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-// Flags: --experimental-vfs
+// Flags: --disable-warning=ExperimentalWarning
 'use strict';
 
 // rmdirSync on a symlink to a directory should throw ENOTDIR
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-vfs-router.js b/test/parallel/test-vfs-router.js
index 292e33e7379a..b7750490671b 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-vfs-router.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-vfs-router.js
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-// Flags: --experimental-vfs --expose-internals
+// Flags: --disable-warning=ExperimentalWarning --expose-internals
 'use strict';
 
 // Unit-level coverage for the mount-router helpers in
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-vfs-scoped-cache-purge.js b/test/parallel/test-vfs-scoped-cache-purge.js
index 104089cd4a23..031dc58cd15e 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-vfs-scoped-cache-purge.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-vfs-scoped-cache-purge.js
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-// Flags: --experimental-vfs
+// Flags: --disable-warning=ExperimentalWarning
 'use strict';
 
 // Deregistering one VFS must scope-purge loader caches: entries under the
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-vfs-stats-bigint.js b/test/parallel/test-vfs-stats-bigint.js
index 074ac9fa379f..40036ade3216 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-vfs-stats-bigint.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-vfs-stats-bigint.js
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-// Flags: --experimental-vfs
+// Flags: --disable-warning=ExperimentalWarning
 'use strict';
 
 // Verify { bigint: true } returns BigInt values for VFS stats.
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-vfs-stats-helpers.js b/test/parallel/test-vfs-stats-helpers.js
index 3df0701138ce..252aed7d405e 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-vfs-stats-helpers.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-vfs-stats-helpers.js
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-// Flags: --experimental-vfs --expose-internals
+// Flags: --disable-warning=ExperimentalWarning --expose-internals
 'use strict';
 
 // Exercise the default-option paths in createFileStats / createDirectoryStats
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-vfs-stats-ino-dev.js b/test/parallel/test-vfs-stats-ino-dev.js
index 9a5e69d603bd..b9c8e0ffff65 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-vfs-stats-ino-dev.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-vfs-stats-ino-dev.js
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-// Flags: --experimental-vfs
+// Flags: --disable-warning=ExperimentalWarning
 'use strict';
 
 // VFS stats must have non-zero, unique ino and a distinctive dev.
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-vfs-stream-errors.js b/test/parallel/test-vfs-stream-errors.js
index df006d5cf3d9..0ad4f5986b57 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-vfs-stream-errors.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-vfs-stream-errors.js
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-// Flags: --experimental-vfs
+// Flags: --disable-warning=ExperimentalWarning
 'use strict';
 
 // Error paths in VFS streams: missing files, EBADF on closed fds,
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-vfs-stream-explicit-fd.js b/test/parallel/test-vfs-stream-explicit-fd.js
index bac86b561493..7720c0bb9f4f 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-vfs-stream-explicit-fd.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-vfs-stream-explicit-fd.js
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-// Flags: --experimental-vfs
+// Flags: --disable-warning=ExperimentalWarning
 'use strict';
 
 // Test createReadStream / createWriteStream with an explicit `fd` option.
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-vfs-stream-properties.js b/test/parallel/test-vfs-stream-properties.js
index 98691c4961ed..174ea7415d85 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-vfs-stream-properties.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-vfs-stream-properties.js
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-// Flags: --experimental-vfs
+// Flags: --disable-warning=ExperimentalWarning
 'use strict';
 
 // VFS streams must expose bytesRead, bytesWritten, and pending.
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-vfs-stream-validation.js b/test/parallel/test-vfs-stream-validation.js
index 7e599fccf9ac..dfe1017f723d 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-vfs-stream-validation.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-vfs-stream-validation.js
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-// Flags: --experimental-vfs
+// Flags: --disable-warning=ExperimentalWarning
 'use strict';
 
 // VFS stream constructors must validate start/end synchronously.
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-vfs-streams.js b/test/parallel/test-vfs-streams.js
index 977834d719bd..7d86a614eb0a 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-vfs-streams.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-vfs-streams.js
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-// Flags: --experimental-vfs
+// Flags: --disable-warning=ExperimentalWarning
 'use strict';
 
 const common = require('../common');
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-vfs-symlinks.js b/test/parallel/test-vfs-symlinks.js
index f251c08b6b9e..c65a9ebf079c 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-vfs-symlinks.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-vfs-symlinks.js
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-// Flags: --experimental-vfs
+// Flags: --disable-warning=ExperimentalWarning
 'use strict';
 
 // Symlink behaviour in the default (memory) VFS:
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-vfs-truncate-negative.js b/test/parallel/test-vfs-truncate-negative.js
index d051d00de8ac..44122c3f40b6 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-vfs-truncate-negative.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-vfs-truncate-negative.js
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-// Flags: --experimental-vfs
+// Flags: --disable-warning=ExperimentalWarning
 'use strict';
 
 // truncateSync with negative length must clamp to 0, not throw.
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-vfs-utimes.js b/test/parallel/test-vfs-utimes.js
index 861b59aaff91..7189bffb40ed 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-vfs-utimes.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-vfs-utimes.js
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-// Flags: --experimental-vfs
+// Flags: --disable-warning=ExperimentalWarning
 'use strict';
 
 // utimes / lutimes accept Date instances, numeric seconds, strings,
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-vfs-virtual-file-handle.js b/test/parallel/test-vfs-virtual-file-handle.js
index 21f93709ab65..587c7f26fff2 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-vfs-virtual-file-handle.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-vfs-virtual-file-handle.js
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-// Flags: --experimental-vfs --expose-internals
+// Flags: --disable-warning=ExperimentalWarning --expose-internals
 'use strict';
 
 // Cover the VirtualFileHandle base class — all primitives must throw
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-vfs-virtual-provider.js b/test/parallel/test-vfs-virtual-provider.js
index 467f860bc8ce..7c734405d100 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-vfs-virtual-provider.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-vfs-virtual-provider.js
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-// Flags: --experimental-vfs
+// Flags: --disable-warning=ExperimentalWarning
 'use strict';
 
 // Exercise the VirtualProvider base class — its capability flags,
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-vfs-watch-abort-signal.js b/test/parallel/test-vfs-watch-abort-signal.js
index 4ceb9f787445..d335c33caa04 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-vfs-watch-abort-signal.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-vfs-watch-abort-signal.js
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-// Flags: --experimental-vfs
+// Flags: --disable-warning=ExperimentalWarning
 'use strict';
 
 // AbortSignal handling for watch() and promises.watch().
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-vfs-watch-directory.js b/test/parallel/test-vfs-watch-directory.js
index cc6e6ce2d368..4252dfc8b222 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-vfs-watch-directory.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-vfs-watch-directory.js
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-// Flags: --experimental-vfs
+// Flags: --disable-warning=ExperimentalWarning
 'use strict';
 
 // Tests for VFS directory watching:
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-vfs-watch-encoding.js b/test/parallel/test-vfs-watch-encoding.js
index 2a5cc652cbca..aae59741c4b4 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-vfs-watch-encoding.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-vfs-watch-encoding.js
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-// Flags: --experimental-vfs
+// Flags: --disable-warning=ExperimentalWarning
 'use strict';
 
 // Buffer encoding for watch(): filename arrives as a Buffer.
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-vfs-watch-promises.js b/test/parallel/test-vfs-watch-promises.js
index 9de8ebd4022c..0dbf7e83229a 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-vfs-watch-promises.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-vfs-watch-promises.js
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-// Flags: --experimental-vfs
+// Flags: --disable-warning=ExperimentalWarning
 'use strict';
 
 // promises.watch() returns an async iterable. Cover its event queue,
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-vfs-watch-recursive.js b/test/parallel/test-vfs-watch-recursive.js
index 9f678db3069d..a96aaed02423 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-vfs-watch-recursive.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-vfs-watch-recursive.js
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-// Flags: --experimental-vfs
+// Flags: --disable-warning=ExperimentalWarning
 'use strict';
 
 // Recursive directory watching: descendant changes trigger events.
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-vfs-watch.js b/test/parallel/test-vfs-watch.js
index ed5d36d1d068..3ce9493f8849 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-vfs-watch.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-vfs-watch.js
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-// Flags: --experimental-vfs
+// Flags: --disable-warning=ExperimentalWarning
 'use strict';
 
 // Tests for VFS watch() on a single file: change detection, listener
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-vfs-watchfile.js b/test/parallel/test-vfs-watchfile.js
index 6a6e08e5f924..836f02bea637 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-vfs-watchfile.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-vfs-watchfile.js
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-// Flags: --experimental-vfs
+// Flags: --disable-warning=ExperimentalWarning
 'use strict';
 
 // Tests for VFS watchFile/unwatchFile.
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-vfs-write-options.js b/test/parallel/test-vfs-write-options.js
index 476d00801bdd..29a0713ccafa 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-vfs-write-options.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-vfs-write-options.js
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-// Flags: --experimental-vfs
+// Flags: --disable-warning=ExperimentalWarning
 'use strict';
 
 // writeFile / appendFile accept explicit { flag, mode } options.
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-vfs-zip-provider-commit.js b/test/parallel/test-vfs-zip-provider-commit.js
index 6a2874be4ee0..80e71db46f8b 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-vfs-zip-provider-commit.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-vfs-zip-provider-commit.js
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-// Flags: --experimental-vfs
+// Flags: --disable-warning=ExperimentalWarning
 'use strict';
 
 // A ZipProvider handle commits its content to the archive when it is closed.
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-vfs-zip-provider-dispose.js b/test/parallel/test-vfs-zip-provider-dispose.js
index b93ed914a701..58331d158a4f 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-vfs-zip-provider-dispose.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-vfs-zip-provider-dispose.js
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-// Flags: --experimental-vfs
+// Flags: --disable-warning=ExperimentalWarning
 'use strict';
 
 // Exercises ZipProvider's Symbol.dispose / Symbol.asyncDispose aliases:
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-vfs-zip-provider-handle.js b/test/parallel/test-vfs-zip-provider-handle.js
index 4263864e2410..44d0505acb8d 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-vfs-zip-provider-handle.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-vfs-zip-provider-handle.js
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-// Flags: --experimental-vfs
+// Flags: --disable-warning=ExperimentalWarning
 'use strict';
 
 // Additional ZipProvider coverage beyond test-vfs-zip-provider.js:
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-vfs-zip-provider-readdir-recursive.js b/test/parallel/test-vfs-zip-provider-readdir-recursive.js
index 553ae98cfcd7..5239eeae0837 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-vfs-zip-provider-readdir-recursive.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-vfs-zip-provider-readdir-recursive.js
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-// Flags: --experimental-vfs
+// Flags: --disable-warning=ExperimentalWarning
 'use strict';
 
 // A recursive readdir() of a ZipProvider lists every member below the
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-vfs-zip-provider.js b/test/parallel/test-vfs-zip-provider.js
index c93c8721453c..63982092229f 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-vfs-zip-provider.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-vfs-zip-provider.js
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-// Flags: --experimental-vfs
+// Flags: --disable-warning=ExperimentalWarning
 'use strict';
 
 // Exercises ZipProvider (node:vfs backed by node:zlib's ZipBuffer/
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-zlib-zip-vfs.js b/test/parallel/test-zlib-zip-vfs.js
index 213dcad0f286..dd85e7251b43 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-zlib-zip-vfs.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-zlib-zip-vfs.js
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-// Flags: --experimental-vfs
+// Flags: --disable-warning=ExperimentalWarning
 'use strict';
 
 // Exercises the node:zlib ZipFile read/write surface over a node:vfs virtual

From 1a91ed3be51e39781fcaa19a22d1f790307844b2 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Matteo Collina <hello@matteocollina.com>
Date: Sat, 26 Sep 2026 17:59:22 +0200
Subject: [PATCH 2/2] vfs: keep --experimental-vfs negatable

Keep VFS enabled by default while allowing the negated flag to disable
node:vfs exposure and --vfs-load.

Assisted-by: pi
Signed-off-by: Matteo Collina <hello@matteocollina.com>
---
 doc/api/cli.md                                | 17 +++++++++-
 doc/node.1                                    |  9 +++++-
 lib/internal/process/pre_execution.js         |  4 +++
 src/node.cc                                   |  3 ++
 src/node_options.cc                           |  6 ++--
 src/node_options.h                            |  2 +-
 .../test-module-builtin-experimental.js       |  7 +++++
 test/parallel/test-vfs-flag.js                | 31 +++++++++++++------
 test/parallel/test-vfs-load.js                | 20 ++++++++++--
 9 files changed, 81 insertions(+), 18 deletions(-)

diff --git a/doc/api/cli.md b/doc/api/cli.md
index be6061e14b41..f534f824e0c3 100644
--- a/doc/api/cli.md
+++ b/doc/api/cli.md
@@ -2313,6 +2313,18 @@ changes:
 
 Disable the experimental [`node:sqlite`][] module.
 
+### `--no-experimental-vfs`
+
+<!-- YAML
+added: v26.4.0
+changes:
+  - version: v27.0.0
+    pr-url: https://github.com/nodejs/node/pull/66318
+    description: VFS is unflagged but still experimental.
+-->
+
+Disable the experimental [`node:vfs`][] module and `--vfs-load`.
+
 ### `--no-experimental-webstorage`
 
 <!-- YAML
@@ -3853,7 +3865,9 @@ May be given at most once.
 
 Mounts `source` as a virtual file system ([`node:vfs`][]), and runs the entry
 point and all subsequent `require()`/`import` resolution against that mount
-rather than the real file system. The mount is placed at a reserved mount point
+rather than the real file system. This option is unavailable when
+`--no-experimental-vfs` disables [`node:vfs`][]. The mount is placed at a
+reserved mount point
 assigned by Node.js, so it never shadows real paths and no target can be
 chosen. The entry point is taken from the mount the same way `node <directory>`
 takes one: the mount's own `package.json` `"main"`, or `index.js`. Any
@@ -4255,6 +4269,7 @@ one is included in the list below.
 * `--no-experimental-global-navigator`
 * `--no-experimental-sqlite`
 * `--no-experimental-strip-types`
+* `--no-experimental-vfs`
 * `--no-experimental-webstorage`
 * `--no-extra-info-on-fatal-exception`
 * `--no-force-async-hooks-checks`
diff --git a/doc/node.1 b/doc/node.1
index 9acd6bd7af34..a1e7a3a8496d 100644
--- a/doc/node.1
+++ b/doc/node.1
@@ -1194,6 +1194,9 @@ Legacy alias for \fB--no-require-module\fR.
 .It Fl -no-experimental-sqlite
 Disable the experimental \fBnode:sqlite\fR module.
 .
+.It Fl -no-experimental-vfs
+Disable the experimental \fBnode:vfs\fR module and \fB--vfs-load\fR.
+.
 .It Fl -no-experimental-webstorage
 Disable \fBWeb Storage\fR support.
 .
@@ -1932,7 +1935,9 @@ Print node's version.
 May be given at most once.
 Mounts \fBsource\fR as a virtual file system (\fBnode:vfs\fR), and runs the entry
 point and all subsequent \fBrequire()\fR/\fBimport\fR resolution against that mount
-rather than the real file system. The mount is placed at a reserved mount point
+rather than the real file system. This option is unavailable when
+\fB--no-experimental-vfs\fR disables \fBnode:vfs\fR. The mount is placed at a
+reserved mount point
 assigned by Node.js, so it never shadows real paths and no target can be
 chosen. The entry point is taken from the mount the same way \fBnode <directory>\fR
 takes one: the mount's own \fBpackage.json\fR \fB"main"\fR, or \fBindex.js\fR. Any
@@ -2294,6 +2299,8 @@ one is included in the list below.
 .It
 \fB--no-experimental-strip-types\fR
 .It
+\fB--no-experimental-vfs\fR
+.It
 \fB--no-experimental-webstorage\fR
 .It
 \fB--no-extra-info-on-fatal-exception\fR
diff --git a/lib/internal/process/pre_execution.js b/lib/internal/process/pre_execution.js
index b64cb8128b57..74f4480565ee 100644
--- a/lib/internal/process/pre_execution.js
+++ b/lib/internal/process/pre_execution.js
@@ -524,6 +524,10 @@ function setupQuic() {
 }
 
 function setupVfs() {
+  if (!getOptionValue('--experimental-vfs')) {
+    return;
+  }
+
   const { BuiltinModule } = require('internal/bootstrap/realm');
   BuiltinModule.allowRequireByUsers('vfs');
 }
diff --git a/src/node.cc b/src/node.cc
index 84aa49ac38b2..a080aac4bcb9 100644
--- a/src/node.cc
+++ b/src/node.cc
@@ -1049,6 +1049,9 @@ static ExitCode InitializeNodeWithArgsInternal(
   // count below needs the arguments the command line itself gave.
   {
     auto* env_options = per_process::cli_options->per_isolate->per_env.get();
+    if (!env_options->experimental_vfs && env_options->vfs_load) {
+      errors->push_back("--vfs-load requires node:vfs to be enabled");
+    }
     // A second --vfs-load would silently replace the first, and the option
     // itself cannot say how often it was given; count it in the node options
     // the command line yielded.
diff --git a/src/node_options.cc b/src/node_options.cc
index 33736de69552..cbf996f4274a 100644
--- a/src/node_options.cc
+++ b/src/node_options.cc
@@ -789,11 +789,11 @@ EnvironmentOptionsParser::EnvironmentOptionsParser() {
             NoOp{},
 #endif
             kAllowedInEnvvar);
-  // Retained as a no-op for compatibility; node:vfs is no longer gated.
   AddOption("--experimental-vfs",
-            "",
+            "experimental node:vfs module",
             BOOL_FIELD(experimental_vfs),
-            kAllowedInEnvvar);
+            kAllowedInEnvvar,
+            true);
   // Choosing the entry point is the command line's alone: an environment
   // variable must not be able to redirect what a `node <args>` invocation runs,
   // so this is rejected in NODE_OPTIONS. The source and whether to run from it
diff --git a/src/node_options.h b/src/node_options.h
index 96fff71ec856..8a04408d12e8 100644
--- a/src/node_options.h
+++ b/src/node_options.h
@@ -214,7 +214,7 @@ class EnvironmentOptions : public Options {
   DEFINE_BOOL_FIELD(experimental_websocket) = true;
   DEFINE_BOOL_FIELD(experimental_sqlite) = HAVE_SQLITE;
   DEFINE_BOOL_FIELD(experimental_stream_iter) = EXPERIMENTALS_DEFAULT_VALUE;
-  DEFINE_BOOL_FIELD(experimental_vfs) = EXPERIMENTALS_DEFAULT_VALUE;
+  DEFINE_BOOL_FIELD(experimental_vfs) = true;
   DEFINE_BOOL_FIELD(vfs_load) = false;
   DEFINE_BOOL_FIELD(webstorage) = HAVE_SQLITE;
   DEFINE_BOOL_FIELD(experimental_dtls) = EXPERIMENTALS_DEFAULT_VALUE;
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-module-builtin-experimental.js b/test/parallel/test-module-builtin-experimental.js
index 3292717c7a4c..444c254b4ffd 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-module-builtin-experimental.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-module-builtin-experimental.js
@@ -51,6 +51,13 @@ if (common.hasFFI) {
   ], { status: 0 });
 }
 
+// node:vfs is enabled by default and can be disabled with
+// --no-experimental-vfs.
+spawnSyncAndAssert(process.execPath, [
+  '--no-experimental-vfs',
+  '-e', `const m = require('node:module'); if (m.builtinModules.includes('node:vfs')) process.exit(1); try { require('node:vfs'); } catch (e) { if (e.code === 'ERR_UNKNOWN_BUILTIN_MODULE') process.exit(0); } process.exit(1);`,
+], { status: 0 });
+
 const schemeOnlyBuiltins = ['node:test', 'node:sea', 'node:vfs'];
 if (common.hasFFI) {
   schemeOnlyBuiltins.push('node:ffi');
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-vfs-flag.js b/test/parallel/test-vfs-flag.js
index 036e59cd7f49..931884ce79ec 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-vfs-flag.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-vfs-flag.js
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 'use strict';
 
-// node:vfs is available without an experimental flag. The old flag remains a
-// no-op for compatibility, and the module remains available with --no- form.
+// node:vfs is available without an experimental flag. The old positive flag
+// remains accepted for compatibility, and --no-experimental-vfs disables it.
 
 require('../common');
 const { spawnSyncAndAssert } = require('../common/child_process');
@@ -28,14 +28,25 @@ const { spawnSyncAndAssert } = require('../common/child_process');
   });
 }
 
-// The old flag is accepted for compatibility but no longer gates the module.
-for (const flag of ['--experimental-vfs', '--no-experimental-vfs']) {
-  spawnSyncAndAssert(process.execPath, [
-    flag,
-    '-p',
-    'require("node:module").builtinModules.includes("node:vfs")',
-  ], { stdout: 'true\n', stderr: '' });
-}
+// The old positive flag is accepted for compatibility but no longer gates the
+// module.
+spawnSyncAndAssert(process.execPath, [
+  '--experimental-vfs',
+  '-p',
+  'require("node:module").builtinModules.includes("node:vfs")',
+], { stdout: 'true\n', stderr: '' });
+
+// --no-experimental-vfs disables node:vfs.
+spawnSyncAndAssert(process.execPath, [
+  '--no-experimental-vfs',
+  '-p',
+  'require("node:module").builtinModules.includes("node:vfs")',
+], { stdout: 'false\n', stderr: '' });
+
+spawnSyncAndAssert(process.execPath, [
+  '--no-experimental-vfs',
+  '-e', 'require("node:vfs")',
+], { status: 1, stderr: /ERR_UNKNOWN_BUILTIN_MODULE/ });
 
 // Bare `vfs` (no node: scheme) remains unavailable.
 spawnSyncAndAssert(process.execPath, [
diff --git a/test/parallel/test-vfs-load.js b/test/parallel/test-vfs-load.js
index 3d20064e7abc..27735d867733 100644
--- a/test/parallel/test-vfs-load.js
+++ b/test/parallel/test-vfs-load.js
@@ -49,6 +49,15 @@ function envArg(flag, value) {
   assert.match(res.stdout, /hello from inside the mount/);
 }
 
+// --no-experimental-vfs disables --vfs-load.
+{
+  const dir = fixture('disabled');
+  fs.mkdirSync(dir, { recursive: true });
+  const res = run(['--no-experimental-vfs', `--vfs-load=${dir}`]);
+  assert.notStrictEqual(res.status, 0);
+  assert.match(res.stderr, /--vfs-load requires node:vfs to be enabled/);
+}
+
 // A provider registered by a -r (CommonJS) preload backs a custom file format.
 {
   const providerModule = fixture('provider.js');
@@ -318,8 +327,8 @@ if (hasNodeOptions) {
   }
 }
 
-// The old --experimental-vfs option remains accepted in NODE_OPTIONS, but no
-// longer gates --vfs-load.
+// The old --experimental-vfs option remains accepted in NODE_OPTIONS. Its
+// positive form no longer gates --vfs-load, and its negated form disables it.
 if (hasNodeOptions) {
   const dir = fixture('env-flag-cli-load');
   fs.mkdirSync(dir, { recursive: true });
@@ -331,6 +340,13 @@ if (hasNodeOptions) {
   });
   assert.strictEqual(res.status, 0, res.stderr);
   assert.match(res.stdout, /ran/);
+
+  const disabled = spawnSync(process.execPath, [`--vfs-load=${dir}`], {
+    encoding: 'utf8',
+    env: { ...process.env, NODE_OPTIONS: '--no-experimental-vfs' },
+  });
+  assert.notStrictEqual(disabled.status, 0);
+  assert.match(disabled.stderr, /--vfs-load requires node:vfs to be enabled/);
 }
 
 // Under --vfs-load the entry point comes from the mount, so no positional