How to Disable Driver Signature Enforcement in Windows 11

Sometimes, when installing drivers on Windows 11, the system may block the installation if the driver lacks a digital signature. This safeguard is designed to prevent unauthorized or potentially harmful software, but in some cases, it can interfere with legitimate installations. This article will guide you through several methods to disable driver signature enforcement in Windows 11.

Method 1: Disable Signature Enforcement via Special Boot Mode

The simplest way to temporarily disable driver signature enforcement is by using the special boot mode. Here’s how:

  1. Open Settings, go to Update & Security, then select Recovery.
  2. In the "Advanced startup" section, click Restart now.
  3. After restarting, select Troubleshoot → Advanced options → Startup Settings.
  4. Click Restart, and then press F7 when prompted to select "Disable driver signature enforcement."

After this, your computer will start in a mode that doesn’t require driver signature checks. This method is ideal for temporary deactivation, as the enforcement will re-enable after a reboot.

Method 2: Disable Signature Enforcement via Command Prompt

If you need to disable signature checks permanently, you can do so via the Command Prompt. Note that you’ll need administrator rights to proceed.

  1. Open the Command Prompt with administrative privileges. Press Win + X and select either Command Prompt (Admin) or Windows PowerShell (Admin).
  2. Enter the following command in the Command Prompt:
bcdedit /set nointegritychecks on

This command disables driver signature enforcement permanently. To re-enable it, simply enter:

bcdedit /set nointegritychecks off

Restart your computer for the changes to take effect.

Method 3: Using Group Policy Editor

This method is only available on Windows Pro and higher, as Group Policy Editor is not included in the Home edition of Windows.

  1. Press Win + R to open the Run dialog, type gpedit.msc, and press Enter.
  2. Navigate to User Configuration → Administrative Templates → System.
  3. Find the setting Code signing for device drivers and double-click it.
  4. Select Disabled and click OK.

This method also disables driver signature enforcement on a permanent basis.

Important Notes

Disabling driver signature enforcement increases the risk of installing potentially unsafe drivers. Use these methods only if you trust the driver source and the driver itself. If you encounter system issues after installing an unsigned driver, consider removing it or restoring the signature check settings.

Now you know a few ways to disable driver signature enforcement in Windows 11, allowing you to install the necessary software without restrictions!