How to Fix 'Windows Requires a Digitally Signed Driver'

Trying to update Windows drivers on your own may often result in unexpected errors and issues that seem difficult to resolve. One of the most commonly encountered issues when installing a new driver is the 'Windows Requires a Digitally Signed Driver' error message. If you see this error, then your driver's installer will be stopped immediately. No matter how many times you try to restart the installation, it will not work. This problem may be caused by several things but, usually, it is because you have downloaded a non-verified driver. To resolve it, you can try these tips:

Download Drivers from Official Sources

Using your favorite search engine to find drivers may seem like a great idea, but it may often take you to 3rd-party sites, which may host outdated drivers or driver versions that have been modified by 3rd-parties. These things do not make the drivers 'threatening,' but it may cause Windows to reject them. You should always download Windows drivers from the site of the product's manufacturer.

Remove the 'Digitally Signed Driver' Requirement

This is not recommended, because it may allow you to install drivers that are incompatible with your system for some reason. However, if you are 100% confident that you have downloaded the correct driver, then this is how you can bypass the 'Windows Requires a Digitally Signed Driver' error:

1. Open the Start Menu, and then open 'Local Group Policy.'
2. Expand User Configuration -> Administrative Templates.
3. Select 'System' and double-click on 'Driver Installation' on the left.
4. Double-click 'Code signing for device drivers' and set it to 'Disabled.'
5. Apply the changes, quit, and restart the computer.

Use an Automated Driver Updater

Instead of manually finding and downloading drivers, you can let convenient software take care of this task for you. Reputable driver maintenance tools will regularly check for driver updates for your system and apply them seamlessly. This way, you will never encounter the 'Windows Requires a Digitally Signed Driver' issue.