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How to Disable Driver Signature Enforcement in Windows 10?

Are you having trouble getting your hardware or software to work with Windows 10? It could be an issue with driver signature enforcement. To get your device up and running, you need to know how to disable driver signature enforcement in Windows 10. This guide will go through the process step-by-step so you can get back to using your device with ease.

Overview of Driver Signature Enforcement in Windows 10

Driver Signature Enforcement is an important security feature in Windows 10. It is enabled by default and helps protect your system from malicious software and drivers. It requires all drivers to be digitally signed by a verified publisher before they can be used on your system. If a driver fails to meet this criteria, it will be blocked from being used. In some cases, you may need to disable Driver Signature Enforcement in order to install a driver or use a certain piece of hardware.

In this article, we will discuss the steps needed to disable Driver Signature Enforcement in Windows 10. We’ll also discuss what to do if the feature is already disabled, and how to re-enable it.

How to Disable Driver Signature Enforcement in Windows 10

Disabling Driver Signature Enforcement in Windows 10 is a straightforward process. Here are the steps:

Step 1: Enter the Advanced Startup Options Screen

To access the Advanced Startup Options screen, press the “Windows + I” keys simultaneously. This will open the Settings window. Then, click on “Update & Security” and select “Recovery” from the left-hand menu. Under “Advanced startup”, click the “Restart now” button.

Step 2: Select Troubleshoot and Advanced Options

When your computer reboots, you will be presented with a menu of options. Select “Troubleshoot” and then “Advanced options”.

Step 3: Choose the “Startup Settings” Option

From the Advanced options menu, select “Startup Settings”. Then, click the “Restart” button to reboot your system.

Step 4: Enable the “Disable Driver Signature Enforcement” Option

Once your computer has restarted, you will be presented with a list of options. Press the “F7” key on your keyboard to select the “Disable driver signature enforcement” option.

Step 5: Restart Your System

Once you have selected the “Disable driver signature enforcement” option, your system will automatically restart. Your driver signature enforcement will now be disabled.

What to Do if Driver Signature Enforcement Is Already Disabled

If you find that your driver signature enforcement is already disabled, you may need to re-enable it. Here are the steps to do so:

Step 1: Enter the Advanced Startup Options Screen

To access the Advanced Startup Options screen, press the “Windows + I” keys simultaneously. This will open the Settings window. Then, click on “Update & Security” and select “Recovery” from the left-hand menu. Under “Advanced startup”, click the “Restart now” button.

Step 2: Select Troubleshoot and Advanced Options

When your computer reboots, you will be presented with a menu of options. Select “Troubleshoot” and then “Advanced options”.

Step 3: Choose the “Startup Settings” Option

From the Advanced options menu, select “Startup Settings”. Then, click the “Restart” button to reboot your system.

Step 4: Enable the “Enable Driver Signature Enforcement” Option

Once your computer has restarted, you will be presented with a list of options. Press the “F7” key on your keyboard to select the “Enable driver signature enforcement” option.

Step 5: Restart Your System

Once you have selected the “Enable driver signature enforcement” option, your system will automatically restart. Your driver signature enforcement will now be enabled.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Driver Signature Enforcement in Windows 10?

Driver Signature Enforcement is a Windows feature that prevents unsigned driver installation. It ensures that all drivers installed on a Windows 10 computer are digitally signed and approved by Microsoft. This helps prevent malicious or unstable drivers from being installed on the system.

Why would I need to disable Driver Signature Enforcement in Windows 10?

You may need to disable Driver Signature Enforcement in Windows 10 if you are installing a driver that is unsigned or not approved by Microsoft. This is often necessary for certain hardware such as modems, printers, and other devices that use custom drivers.

How do I disable Driver Signature Enforcement in Windows 10?

To disable Driver Signature Enforcement in Windows 10, you need to open the Advanced Startup Options menu. To do this, open Settings, navigate to Update & Security > Recovery, and select Restart Now under Advanced Startup. On the Advanced Startup Options screen, select Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > Startup Settings > Restart. After the computer restarts, you will be presented with a list of startup settings. Select Disable driver signature enforcement from the list by pressing the F7 key.

Does disabling Driver Signature Enforcement make my computer less secure?

Disabling Driver Signature Enforcement does not make your computer less secure. It is only necessary when installing a driver that is unsigned or not approved by Microsoft. The feature helps prevent malicious or unstable drivers from being installed on the system, so it is important to only disable it when you need to.

Do I need to disable Driver Signature Enforcement every time I install a driver?

No, you do not need to disable Driver Signature Enforcement every time you install a driver. It is only necessary when installing a driver that is unsigned or not approved by Microsoft. For drivers that are signed and approved by Microsoft, you do not need to disable the feature.

What happens if I forget to re-enable Driver Signature Enforcement after I install a driver?

If you forget to re-enable Driver Signature Enforcement after installing a driver, your computer may become more vulnerable to malicious software. It is important to re-enable the feature after installing new drivers to ensure that only approved drivers are installed on your system.

In conclusion, disabling driver signature enforcement in Windows 10 is a straightforward process, but it requires a few steps and some technical knowledge. If you follow the instructions in this article, you should be able to successfully disable driver signature enforcement in Windows 10. Just make sure that you understand the potential risks associated with doing so and that you take the necessary precautions.