A digital signature is an integral part of any operating system. When it comes to Windows, this topic simply cannot be ignored. The system requires a driver to understand that it belongs to a specific developer and is not meant to be fraudulent.

It's important to understand exactly when you need a digital signature and when it's really worth turning it off. Temporarily shutting down is the most correct solution, as the ongoing lack of verification can lead to negative computer performance.

Windows Driver Signature Enforcement
In order to improve security, Microsoft introduced driver signature enforcement in Windows OS including Windows Vista/XP/7/8/8.1/10.

The working driver on your computer must be a signed driver that contains a digital signature. The digital signature is an electronic security token that indicates the publisher of the driver and all relevant information.



If someone changes the original contents of the driver package, you will find out the differences by comparing the original relevant information.



All of your drivers and system files on the computer must be digitally verified by Microsoft, or Windows won’t run those unsigned drivers on 32-bit or 64-bit systems.

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.

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.

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

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.

Top 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.

t 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.

The following part will show you how to back up data with the Backup function of MiniTool ShadowMaker step by step.

Step 1: Choose a Backup Mode

1.After installation, run MiniTool ShadowMaker.

2.Click Keep Trail to use the Trial Edition.

3.Then click Connect in the Local section to manage the local computer.

Step 2: Choose Backup Source

1.Click the Backup option to enter its interface.

2.Click the Source tab, then choose the Folder and Files option when a new window pops up and choose all of the files that you want to back up.

3.Finally, click the OK button to back to the Backup page.

Optional: If you want to back up your disks or partitions, you are also allowed to choose the other option: Disk and Partitions.

Step 3: Select a Destination Path to Save Your Backup Data

1.When you return to the Backup page, click the Destination tab.

2.There are four available destination paths for you to choose. Select one to save your files and then click OK to back to the main interface.

Step 4: Start to Back up

1.Click Back up Now to start this backup task immediately.

Optional: You can also choose Back up Later to delay the process, and then you need to click Back up Now on the Manage page to perform the pending operation.

2.A confirmation message window will pop up. If you confirm to perform the backup operation right now, just click the Yes button to continue.

At the same time, you are also allowed to choose whether to check the option: Shut down the computer when all the running backup tasks are finished.

When you finish all the steps mentioned above completely, you should now back up your data with MiniTool ShadowMaker successfully.

In Conclusion
Windows uses the driver's signature to verify the integrity of the driver. If the driver package is modified in any way, the signature becomes invalid.

When a driver is unsigned or has no valid signature, Windows refuses to install that driver. Windows doesn't install unsigned drives to protect your system from malware, viruses, or unwanted problems caused by modified drivers.

Knowing these methods, the process of disabling digital signature verification won't take long. Don't forget about the risks of disabling verification.

If your computer is infected, the consequences can be very sad.

News From
MiniTool Solution