The following instructions below will help you learn how to disable driver signature verification in Windows 7, 8, 8.1 and 10.
Why should I disable driver signature verification? You should not just go ahead and disable driver signature verification because you read it online, without knowing whether or not you should do this. Some device drivers require that you disable driver signature verification for it to properly install and function. Like Mediatek VCOM drivers, for instance.
If you have a reason to disable driver signature verification on your PC, follow the instructions below.
How to disable driver signature verification
Windows 7
- Hit the Win+R keys together to open the run dialog
- Type gpedit.msc to open the local groups policy editor
- Expand ‘Administrative Templates’ (it’s under ‘User Configuration’)
- Expand ‘System’. Click ‘driver Installation’
- In the right panel, double click on ‘Code Signing for Device Drivers’
- Choose ‘Enabled’ in the window that appears.
- In the underlying options, choose ‘Ignore’
- This disables drivers signing in Windows 7, and now you can install unsigned drivers in Windows 7.
- Click Apply, OK. Restart your computer to install unsigned drivers
Windows 8
1. Hold down the Windows key on your keyboard and press the letter C to open the Charm menu, then click the gear icon (Settings )
2. Click More PC Settings
3. Click General
4. Under Advanced Startup , click Restart Now
Note: In Windows 8.1, the ‘Restart Now’ button has moved to ‘PC Setting -> Update & Recovery -> Recovery.’
5. After restarting, click Troubleshoot
6. Click Advanced options
7. Click Windows Startup Settings
8. Click Restart
9. After restarting your computer a second time, choose Disable driver signature enforcement from the list by typing the number 7 on your Keyboard Your computer will restart automatically.
10. After restarting, you will be able to Install unsigned drivers normally; however, Windows will display a warning message. When the warning appears, click Install this driver software anyway.
Windows 8.1 and 10
- In Windows go to PC settings (you can search for it in Start Menu).
- Click on “Update & recovery” on the left side.
- Click on “Recovery” on the left side.
- Click “Restart Now” button under Advanced startup.
- Click on Troubleshoot
- Click on Advanced setup
- Click on Startup Settings
- Click on Restart
- After restarting, choose Disable driver signature enforcement from the list by pressing key 7 on your Keyboard Your computer will restart automatically.
- After restarting, you will be able to Install unsigned drivers normally; however, Windows will display a warning message. When the warning appears, click Install this driver software anyway.