Windows 10 has several different security features. Some are obvious, such as the UAC message that appears when you run an unsigned executable or when Windows Defender blocks an EXE from running. In addition to these two obvious safety features, there are many components under the hood to keep the system secure. Driver signature enforcement is one such feature.

Enforcing driver's signature
Driver signature enforcement is similar to signed applications; the signature in the file confirms that the application being launched is both safe and approved by the developer and Microsoft. Two-level approval means that the manufacturer has released drivers for a specific system and operating system, and that it also carries a seal of approval from Microsoft. They are delivered through the operating system for users to find more easily and also distributed by Microsoft.

While this feature is great, it can sometimes cause problems, such as installing drivers that are not digitally signed when no signed alternative is available. Unfortunately, installing drivers that aren't signed is much more difficult than installing apps that aren't signed. You can't just click "allow run" to do so. Instead, you need to disable driver signature enforcement to install the driver.



Why Do You Need to Disable Driver Signature Enforcement



However, sometimes you need to disable driver signature enforcement on Windows.

Why?

Many programs that use driver files don’t have digital signature authentication. In order to obtain a verified certificate, the manufacturer or developer must pay Microsoft. If they don’t pay, their drivers will be inaccessible in Windows.

Thus, if you want to install unsigned drivers and make sure they can work properly, you need to disable driver signature enforcement. Keep reading and this post will show you how to disable it temporarily or permanently in multiple ways.

How to Disable Driver Signature Enforcement Temporarily
If you want to disable driver signature enforcement temporarily, follow the instructions below right now.

Method 1: Change the Startup Settings
This is the easiest way to disable driver signature enforcement on Windows 10, but you need to keep in mind that this method only temporarily disables driver signature. After you restart your computer, the driver signature enforcement feature will automatically be enabled.

Here is a quick guide on how to disable driver signature enforcement by changing the Startup Settings.

Step 1: Click Restart from the Start menu and hold down the Shift key on your keyboard at the same time.



Step 2: Once the computer has rebooted, choose the Troubleshoot option when a new window pops up and then choose Advanced options > Startup Settings.

Step 3: Click the Restart button to restart your computer one last time to modify boot time configuration settings.

Step 4: A list of options will show up. Press F7 on your keyboard to choose Disable driver signature enforcement.

After finishing all the steps above, your PC will restart and you should disable driver signature enforcement successfully. Now you are able to install unsigned drivers without error messages.

Since this method only disables driver signature enforcement temporarily, so you need to install all the unsigned drivers as soon as you can.

Method 2: Disable Driver Signing Code with Local Group Policy Editor
Another method you can try to disable driver signature enforcement temporarily is to use Local Group Policy Editor. Here are the steps on how to disable the driver signing code with Local Group Policy Editor.

Step 1: Press the Windows key + R key at the same time to open the Run dialog box. Next, type gpedit.msc in the Run box and press Enter to open Local Group Policy Editor.

Step 2: Once in the Local Group Policy Editor window, navigate to User Configuration > Administrative Templates > System > Driver Installation from the left panel.

Step 3: Right-click the Code signing for device drivers entry and then select Edit.

Step 4: Now check Enabled and then choose Ignore from the drop-down list under Options.

Step 5: Click OK and then click Apply to perform all the changes.

Step 6: Restart your Windows 10 system in the end.

Now you should disable driver signature enforcement successfully and you can install the unsigned drivers.

Method 3: Enable Windows 10 Test Signing Mode
If you don’t want to disable driver signing permanently, you can try to put Windows 10 in test mode and install any drivers you want. In test mode, you will not meet any problems when installing unsigned drivers.

Here is a quick guide on how to enable Windows 10 test signing mode with Command Prompt.



Step 1: Type cmd in the Search bar, right-click Command Prompt and then choose Run as administrator to open it with administrator privileges.

Step 2: Type the command: bcdedit /set testsigning on and then press Enter to run the command.

Step 3: Close the Command Prompt window and restart your computer.

After you finish all the steps mentioned above, you can install any unsigned drivers without encountering problems.

How to Disable Driver Signature Enforcement Permanently
If you want to permanently disable driver signature enforcement, now you can follow the instructions below to do this job with ease.

Disable Driver Signature Enforcement Permanently with Command Prompt
Step 1: Type www.minitool.com/lib/cmd.html in the Search bar, right-click Command Prompt and then choose Run as administrator to open it with administrator privileges.

Step 2: Type the command: bcdedit.exe /set nointegritychecks on and then press Enter to run the command.

After you finish all the steps above, now you should disable driver signature enforcement permanently and then you can install unsigned drivers what you want.

How to Enable Driver Signature Enforcement If Needed
You can also enable driver signature enforcement back again whenever you need. Here is a quick guide on how to do this job.

Step 1: Open Command Prompt as administrator again by following the instructions mentioned above.

Step 2: Once the Command Prompt window is opened, enter cdedit.exe /set nointegritychecks off and then press Enter to execute this command.

Step 3: Now reboot your computer.

After you finish running the command(s) above, you should re-enable driver signature enforcement.

Recommendation to Keep Your PC Safe
For maximum security, Windows 10 requires digitally signed drivers. If you’re concerned about the safety of your Windows, it is a good feature for you. However, if you need to disable driver signature enforcement permanently, your PC may become somewhat vulnerable.

Thus, in order to keep your PC safe, it is recommended to create a system image to protect your important data and your PC. Here is a great piece of free backup software - MiniTool ShadowMaker you can try. With it, you can not only create a system image, but also get recovery solutions when accidents happen to your PC.

It provides you with various backup services with its multiple powerful features. These features contain system backup, files and folder backup, disk backup, partition backup.

MiniTool ShadowMaker offers you more other functions to protect your PC. You can try to synchronize your important files or folders and you are also allowed to clone disk. It is a useful data protection and disaster recovery solution for PCs.

You can also find more great functions after you try it. If you have a need, you are welcome to get MiniTool ShadowMaker Trial which can be used for free within 30 days for all the backup features.

Proposal
Installing unsigned drivers on Windows 10 should not be taken lightly. Try drivers signed and delivered via Windows Updates. If you start getting BSsOD frequently, an unsigned driver may be to blame and you should roll it back. If you are unsure of a driver, but are still determined to install it, create a restore point for your system before continuing with the installation.

Conclusion
After reading this post, now you should clearly know about what the Windows driver signature enforcement feature is and you should learn how to disable driver signature enforcement on Windows 7 or 10 when you want to install unsigned drivers on your PC.

In addition, this post also provides you with a top recommendation to keep your PC safe: make a backup of your PC with a useful backup tool - MiniTool ShadowMaker.

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