Fans of computer games often encounter a problem in which the applications that they would like to run do not work. People immediately rush to forums and tech support to find a solution. One method is some command line manipulation. However, few explain exactly what such changes lead to. We are talking about what to do to disable the digital signature verification of Windows 7 drivers (64 bits), and other versions too.
Signature
Let's first understand what a digital signature is. This is a label on the software and any files that allows you to determine its creator, as well as to ensure that the software was not changed after the signature.
In the case of drivers, the operating system checks their authenticity, as well as compatibility with this OS. In addition, the driver is checked for the absence of modifications from third-party users.
If the file or driver contains the wrong signature or it does not exist at all, this can mean either that it was created by an unverified developer, or that the file was modified (for example, it is infected with a virus). However, the absence of a signature does not guarantee the harmfulness of drivers, and its presence is not necessarily a guarantee of security.
Example
We will start, oddly enough, with a specific example where you may need to know the Windows 7 operating system. You may need to disable driver digital signature verification permanently, for example, if you decide to play toys from the Fogame service. Previously, you had to download a special client, as now with Mail.ru, but they decided to abandon it and built the entire system into a browser.
That's just along with the new technique came a new defense called Frost. In order for it to work, the actions we are considering must be completed. Moreover, the advice of other users will be completely unambiguous, but useless. As a result, two problems arise.
- Why does a self-respecting game service force users to disable protection?
- Why does this method not always help? And the user, upset by the unsuccessful attempt, forgets to return the settings to the initial ones.
As you can see, in Windows 7 it may be necessary to disable driver digital signature verification, but how useful is it for the system and security? We in no case recommend that you do not trust the sites listed in the example, however, if you encounter problems, it is better to contact technical support instead of user forums. Specialists, not unknown people with a dubious reputation, will help and prompt you.
Warning
Before you begin the procedure, which we will discuss in this article, you will definitely determine and decide - but do you really need it? Are you absolutely sure what you are going to do and why? After all, if you disable the digital signature verification of drivers in Windows 7, the security of your system is at risk.
On the one hand, there is no problem if this operation is necessary to install drivers from a reliable source. For example, from a licensed disc, but not bought on the market in a stall. On the other hand, applications downloaded from the Internet from unverified sites and exchangers. After downloading the driver (application) in such a place and disabling protection, you can infect your computer with a spy who will collect data, steal passwords or can even connect your computer to the network for DDoS attacks. In general, decide for yourself how much you need to disable the digital signature verification of Windows 7 drivers (32 bits).
First way
Finally, we got to a direct examination of the issue. There are several options for how to disable the digital signature verification of drivers for Windows 7 Home Basic 64 and other versions. Both of these methods are slightly different from each other and require almost the same actions. So, let's begin.
- First, we need to enable the command line so that you can enter the necessary commands. To do this, click "Start", then go to "My Programs" and to "Standard". You need to run this utility as administrator. If the user account you are working with on the computer is the only one by default and has full rights, then you can simply enter the cmd command in the search menu in the Start button menu .
- After that, enter bcdedit.exe / set nointegritychecks ON in the line. If you need to enable driver checking again, set OFF instead of ON. Be careful and do not confuse. It seems like ON is "enable" in English, but you are actually turning on a service that prohibits driver checking.
Second way
The next method is not much different from the previous one. To disable driver digital signature verification in Windows 7, you will need to enable the command line again, as described in the paragraph above, and enter the following sequence. After each of them, you must confirm the entry by pressing Enter.
- bcdedit.exe -set loadoptions DDISABLE_INTEGRITY_CHECKS
- bcdedit.exe -set TESTSIGNING ON
Be sure to verify that the task has been completed. This can be understood by the inscription "operation completed successfully." Only then will verification of the digital signature be disabled. If you need to roll back the changes that these commands made to your computer, then you need to repeat them in the reverse order, with a few exceptions. Instead of ON -> OFF, and instead of DDISABLE - ENABLE.
Third method
This method is not suitable for everyone, since it only allows you to temporarily solve the problem that we are trying to deal with today. If you need to install and test drivers for any equipment, then you can safely use it. But if we are talking about, as already mentioned, game protection systems that do not work with the scan turned on, then, unfortunately, this technique will not work for you.
In order to disable the digital signature verification of drivers in Windows 7, you will need to restart the computer. Then, at the stage when you usually enter the BIOS, you need to press the F8 key. After that, a window should appear with a choice of download options and their settings. You should be interested in almost the bottom line, the first above the "normal start" - Disable driver signature enforcement.
After loading the operating system with this option, you can install the driver you need, but during normal boot it will stop working. So in any case, disabling the digital signature verification of Windows 7 (64) drivers is always necessary if you want to work with the driver you need.
Fourth way
Another method involves using and configuring Group Policy on your operating system. Immediately it is worth noting that this method does not work on all assemblies of operating systems, so it is not a fact that it will suit you. Now we perform the following actions.
- Open the Start menu.
- Enter gpedit.msc into the search.
- A window with many directories will open. You will need to follow the path below.
- First, select the item - "User Configuration". After that, go to the "administrative templates" branch and select "system". The last thing you need to do is find the "driver installation" item.
- Select the Digital Signature option. Double-click on it with the left button, or click a little to the left of "Change parameter".
- We put the switch in the upper left corner to "Off".
- We accept changes.
Protection against unlicensed drivers should start working right away, but you can restart your computer for reliability. If you intend to restore the default value, please note that if you specify "Warn" about an unsigned driver, then even if you continue to install it, it will not work.
Fifth method
We will mention this opportunity only in passing. This action is not only a little illegal, but also carries a considerable risk, because we will almost forcefully install an unverified driver into the computer.
If all the previous methods did not help you, you can always sign the driver yourself. To do this, you need the driver itself and two completely legal SDK for Windows developer programs and the Driver Kit, of course, the latest versions, or pirated software, the use of which can be more dangerous for your computer than the same drivers that you are trying to "force" install on a computer.
Before doing this, you can try adding the driver manually. To do this, run the command line in a known manner and write the command Pnputil –ac: \ ***. Inf, where the last value is the path to the desired driver. If the computer still gives an error, you will have to sign the driver yourself.
Conclusion
And finally, no matter what you do with the operating system and whatever changes you make, if they do not help you solve your problem, do not forget to return everything as it was. Remember that no matter how users criticize the Windows operating system, it was created by professionals who know a lot about programming. By independently interfering in an already created, integral structure, you risk a lot.