How To Install Unsigned Drivers In Windows 10 [FIXED]

 

how-to-install-unsigned-driver

 

Both Windows 8 and Windows 10 are the most dependable OS and above all offers a user-friendly interface so that each user gets to enjoy a safe and secure platform.

Owing to this, in addition to various other security features, you are not able to install unsigned drivers in Windows 10

Most commonly asked queries:

      • How do I install drivers on Windows 10 without digital signature?
      • How do I allow unsigned drivers to install?
      • How do I accept unsigned drivers in Windows 10?
      • How to find unsigned drivers?
      • How to sign unsigned drivers?
      • How to install unsigned drivers in Windows 10?
      • How can i install hardware with unsigned drivers in windows 10?

Having unsigned drivers on Windows 10 tends to increase the risk of driver-related problems significantly. With the help of digital driver signatures, verification of the integrity of driver packages and the manufacturer’s identity can be confirmed.

Anyway, if you are looking to install an unsigned driver without carrying a digital signature, you can follow the guidelines discussed below.

However, you need to ensure that you are an advanced Windows user or else you may end up destroying your desktop or laptop.

In case the drivers bear the authorized signature of Microsoft, then this certifies that the drivers successfully meet the quality levels.

If not, then this means you may come across Windows 10 problems. One of the key problems you may face is 100% disk usage, UNEXPECTED_KERNEL_MODE_TRAP error blue screen, graphics error 43, etc.

How to Install Unsigned Drivers in Windows 10

Why we require a Digitally Signed Driver in Windows 10?

Microsoft ensures that they have performed automated tests to confirm the fundamental quality of the driver, on the basis of these tests, they go ahead and sign a driver.

Driver Signing test proves helpful in detecting programming errors and also look for any security threat.

A driver software, containing signature, easily gains your trust element. For instance, the signature enables you to cross-check whether the vendor actually distributes the driver or not.

When you load only signed drivers, you are ensuring that malware that somehow dodged security measures cannot just install a device driver.

Assuming that you do encounter hardware problems, or if you are not able to make out whether you have installed unsigned drivers on your system, you can try out below-discussed helpful ways to check the driver signature.

Usually, you need an unsigned driver when you need flash and when you are looking to flash an outdated driver or when you have plans to have a software of your own.

So, before you go ahead and follow these processes, make sure you take the backup of all your data and programs.

Also Read – List of Windows 10 Blue Screen Error & Stop Codes (BSoD)

So, without further ado, here we go.

How to Identify Unsigned Drivers on Windows 10

Following are three helpful tools you can use to verify the driver signature on Windows 10 –

  • Direct X Diagnostic Tool
  • File Signature Verification
  • Driver Verifier Manager

Method 1 – Use Directx Diagnostic Tool to Find Unsigned Drivers on Windows 10

Directx Diagnostic Tool, also known as, DxDiag, is as an inbuilt tool on Windows 10. This tool is frequently used by the users to identify numerous problems of the computer. You can launch the tool by following the steps below and make yourself acquainted with the unsigned drivers –

Open Run with the help of Windows shortcut keys Win + R

Here, you need to type dxdiag in the dialog box, followed by hitting Enter

You will have the system details displayed on the system’s screen

At this stage, you need to enable Check for WHQL digital signatures for the installed drivers.

Use Directx Diagnostic Tool to Find Unsigned Drivers on Windows 10

Make a selection for each tab one after another to check the drivers. For instance – select the tab of Display and go to the Drivers section to verify if it says Yes to WHQL (Windows Hardware Quality Labs) Logo’d.

identify unsigned drivers in directx diagnostic utility

In case of any conflict, between the display drivers, it will be displayed in the Notes section towards the bottom.

The same steps can also be applied to other driver tabs to have details related to the driver signature.

Hit Save All Information if you are interested in exporting the text file.

Method 2 – Use File Signature Verification Code to Verify Signed Drivers

The above-discussed tool offers details of various drivers only; if you are eyeing to gain more information, File Signature Verification will be more fruitful in providing details of the unsigned drivers.

Start Run on your windows and type sigverif into the box. Once you have done that, hit Ok.

You need to scan all the drivers of the device, so for this, you need to hit the Start button. You need to a bit patient, as this may take a while.

Once the scanning is done, if there are no unsigned drivers, SigVerif will notify that the files are thoroughly scanned and they are digitally signed as well.

verify Installed Unsigned Drivers In Windows 10

However, if, during the scan, unsigned drivers are found, then it will be displayed in the results.

scan unsigned drivers Windows 10

You can have easy access by hitting the Advanced button once the scanning is done. Then, hit View Log.

click view log and Find Unsigned Drivers Windows 10

The opening text will make you familiar with the signed and unsigned drivers on Windows 10.

How to install a unsigned driver

Method 3 – Check Driver Signatures With Driver Verifier Manager

This is another tool through which you can verify unsigned drivers on Windows 10.  Here are the steps you need to follow –

You need to right-click on the Start button and select Command Prompt (admin).

Now type Verifier and hit Enter. Once you have done this, you will have Driver Verifier Manager opened in front of you.

type into verifier to identify unsigned drivers on windows 10

You need to select Create Standard Settings and hit the button of Next.

use driver-verifier-manager to identify issues with Windows drivers

Choose the option of Automatically select unsigned drivers and hit the button of Next to search for the unsigned drivers.

In case there are unsigned drivers, you will have an error message. On the contrary, if Microsoft digitally signs the drivers, you will see a message No unsigned driver have been found.

Also Read – How To Fix/Disable Driver Signature Enforcement Windows 10

How to Install Digitally Unsigned Drivers in Windows 10

If you are looking to install unsigned drivers, you need to disable driver signature enforcement. There are two ways to do this – the first one lets you turn off (temporarily) the driver signature and the second method permanently disables this particular feature.

Follow the steps discussed below –

Doing Installation from Advanced Boot Menu

If you are looking for a hassle-free way to install unsigned drivers in Windows 10, then using Advanced Boot Menu is the best way to do it.

For this, you need to press Win along with X simultaneously, move to shut down, and then press Shift along with left click on the restart option.

install unsigned drivers window 10 restart

On successfully performing the above actions, your system will restart and you will be taken to Advanced Boot Menu. When you have reached there, you need to make a selection for the option of Troubleshooting.

choose troubleshoot for windows 10 unsigned drivers installation

When you are in the Troubleshoot section, hit the option of Advanced Options

window 10 unsigned drivers installation - select advanced option

At this stage, make a selection for Start-Up settings.

win10 unsigned drivers installation - select startup settings

With the help of Start-up settings option, you can easily boot your Windows in various modes. All you need to hit the button of Restart to move further.

click restart win10 unsigned drivers installation

To install unsigned drivers, you need to hit F7 on the keyboard; you need to make a selection for the seventh option, i.e. ‘Disable Driver Signature Enforcement’.

Now, the moment you hit the key; the system will boot in Windows. At this moment, you are free to install any unsigned driver. Make sure you restart your system, once you are done with the installation and you will see Driver Signature Enforcement is finally enabled from the next reboot.

In case you want to install another unsigned driver, you will have to perform the above-discussed procedure once again.

Also read – How to Fix Mouse Cursor Disappears in Windows 10?

Install Unsigned Drivers by Enabling Test Mode in Windows 10

Enabling the Test Mode in Windows 10 will also help you install unsigned drivers. The best part of this method is that is stays enabled until you have turned it off manually – a useful and effective method just in case you are testing various drivers.

You can initiate the process by clicking Win along with X simultaneously. This will open the Power User Menu. Finally, you need to make the selection for the option of Command Prompt (Admin)

install unsigned drivers window 10 - cmd as administrator

When you perform the action mentioned above, it will open the Command Prompt having admin rights. This is where you have to copy and execute the command mentioned below –

bcdedit /set testsigning on

install unsigned drivers windows 10 - test mode on

This is where the command gets executed successfully. Restart your system, and this will take you to the Test Mode. When you have reached the Test Mode, installing unsigned drivers will be easier for you.

In addition, you also get to see a watermark that will make you aware of the fact that your Windows is currently in Test Mode.

install unsigned drivers win10 - test mode in action

Make sure you have turned off the test mode once you have installed the driver. You can do this by being an admin and using the command mentioned below and you also need to reboot your system –

bcdedit /set testsigning off

install unsigned drivers in windows 10 - testing mode off

Unsigned Drivers Installation by Disabling Driver Integrity Checks

Now to disable integrity checks first, you need to open the Command Prompt being an admin from Power User Menu. Now, you will have to execute the following command as well –

bcdedit /set nointegritychecks off

install unsigned drivers integrity checks off in Windows 10

Once the command has been successfully executed, restart your system, now go ahead and install the unsigned driver in Windows 10.

Make sure you have enabled the integrity checks, pretty much like how you did with Test Mode. To enable the integrity check once again, you have to execute the below-mentioned command being an admin in the command prompt –

bcdedit /set nointegritychecks on  

install unsigned drivers windows 10 - integrity checks on

In the end, you need to restart your system, and you are good to go.

Also Read – Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS) Windows 10 Problem [FIXED]

Fix Unsigned Drivers Issue Windows 10 Automatically

At this stage, you are well-versed with all the unsigned drivers on your Windows 10 manually.  Now, all you need is to uninstall all those drivers and reinstall them.

Make sure all these are installed with a digital signature in case you are faced with hardware problems.  You can download Fixbit (A driver updater tool) to resolve unsigned drivers in Windows 10 issue automatically.

We hope that the above information did help you in understanding how driver signature enforcement actually works and how you can easily install digitally unsigned drivers in windows 10