How to Fix Windows requires a digitally signed driver

When working with a Windows operating system, you may come across the error message 'Windows requires a digitally signed driver' or 'A digitally signed driver is required' when trying to install or update a driver. This can be frustrating as it prevents you from using certain hardware or software on your computer. However, there are a few ways to fix this issue and get your drivers installed or updated.

What is a digitally signed driver?

A digitally signed driver is a type of electronic signature that verifies the authenticity of a driver. It ensures that the driver comes from a trusted source and has not been tampered with. This is important for security reasons as it prevents malicious software from being installed on your computer.

How to Fix Windows requires a digitally signed driver

Why does Windows require a digitally signed driver?

Windows requires a digitally signed driver to ensure the security and stability of your computer. Unsigned drivers may contain malware or have compatibility issues that can cause system crashes or other problems. Therefore, Windows has a built-in feature that blocks the installation or update of unsigned drivers.

How to fix the issue?

1. Update drivers from the manufacturer's website

About How to Fix Windows requires a digitally signed driver, The first step to fixing this issue is to update the drivers from the manufacturer's website. This ensures that you have the latest and most compatible drivers for your hardware. You can usually find the drivers on the support or downloads section of the manufacturer's website. Download the drivers and install them manually.

2. Disable driver signing using Group Policy Editor

If updating the drivers doesn't work, you can try disabling driver signing using the Group Policy Editor. To access the Group Policy Editor, press Win + R and type in 'gpedit.msc'. This will open the Local Group Policy Editor. Navigate to User Configuration > Administrative Templates > System > Driver Installation.

In the right pane, double-click on 'Code signing for device drivers'. Select 'Enabled' and then choose 'Ignore' from the drop-down menu for 'When Windows detects a file without drivers'. This will allow you to install unsigned drivers on your computer. However, this may compromise the security of your system, so use this method with caution.

3. Use the System in Control Panel

Another way to disable driver signing is through the System in the Control Panel. To do this, go to Control Panel > System and Security > System. Click on 'Advanced system settings' on the left-hand side and then click on the 'Hardware' tab. Click on 'Driver Installation Settings' and choose 'No, let me choose what to do'. Then select 'Never install driver software from Windows Update' and click 'Save changes'.

This method is not recommended as it completely disables driver signing, leaving your system vulnerable to malicious software.

In conclusion about How to Fix Windows requires a digitally signed driver, if you encounter the 'Windows requires a digitally signed driver' or 'A digitally signed driver is required' error, try updating the drivers from the manufacturer's website first. If that doesn't work, you can use the Group Policy Editor or the System in the Control Panel to disable driver signing. However, it is important to keep in mind that disabling driver signing can compromise the security of your system. So, use this method only if necessary and make sure to enable it again after installing the driver.