Windivert Driver Cannot Be Installed You Must Restart Your Computer ((full)) (Updated ⟶)

Upon reboot, press or F7 to select Disable driver signature enforcement . Try running your application again.

The error message is a common and frustrating issue for Windows users. It typically appears when launching network-related software like GoodbyeDPI, Requiem, VPNs, or custom firewalls.

Modern versions of Windows 10 and Windows 11 require all kernel-level drivers to be digitally signed. If you are using an outdated version of an application, its bundled WinDivert driver may have an expired or untrusted signature.

For most people, will solve it. If it keeps happening, follow steps 2–5. Upon reboot, press or F7 to select Disable

. This is common with VPNs (like X-VPN), specialized firewalls, network monitoring tools, and certain gaming software. Stack Overflow

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If a simple restart doesn't work, follow these steps to manually clear the driver: For most people, will solve it

Fixing the "WinDivert driver cannot be installed" Error Without a Restart

If a previous version of the driver failed to shut down properly, Windows cannot overwrite it with a new installation. You can force-stop and clear it via the command prompt: into the Windows search bar. Right-click Command Prompt and select Run as administrator Type the following command and press sc stop WinDivert Next, type this command and press sc delete WinDivert

Clear your temp folder by pressing Win + R , typing %temp% , and deleting the contents. 4. Check for Anti-Malware Interference "WinDivert driver cannot be installed

Don’t just click "Shut Down." Click Restart . This forces Windows to clear the kernel and reload all drivers, including WinDivert. 2. Manually Remove Old WinDivert Services

Right-click the Windows Start button and select or Command Prompt (Admin) . Type the following command and press Enter : sc stop windivert Use code with caution. Next, type this command and press Enter : sc delete windivert Use code with caution.

Antivirus programs often flag WinDivert as a "PUP" (Potentially Unwanted Program) or a generic Trojan due to its ability to manipulate network traffic.

"WinDivert driver cannot be installed, you must restart your computer"