Windivert Driver Cannot Be Installed You Must Restart Your Computer Top 【100% Quick】
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Article updated: October 2024
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The "WinDivert driver cannot be installed" error usually happens when a previous version of the driver is stuck in a half-uninstalled state or blocked by system security settings. While a simple restart is the first recommended step, it often doesn't clear the underlying service conflict or digital signature block. Troubleshooting the WinDivert Driver Error
Run as Administrator: Ensure the application using WinDivert is running with elevated privileges, as it cannot install or load drivers otherwise.
Force-Remove the Service: Use the Command Prompt (Admin) to manually clear the stuck driver: sc stop windivert sc delete windivert Restart your computer and try again.
Check Registry Entries: If the service commands fail, manually delete the WinDivert registry key:
Open regedit and go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\WinDivert. Delete the entry and reboot.
Security Software & Memory Integrity: Antivirus software (like Sophos) or Windows' Memory Integrity setting can block the driver. Try temporarily disabling Memory Integrity in Windows Security > Device Security > Core Isolation.
Digital Signature Issues: If you see "Error 577," Windows is rejecting the driver's signature. Updating Windows often resolves this by refreshing root certificates. Leave a comment below with:
Blog Post: How to Fix the "WinDivert Driver Cannot Be Installed" Loop
If you're seeing the "WinDivert driver cannot be installed, you must restart your computer" message on repeat, you’re likely stuck in a "zombie service" loop. This driver, used by tools like GoodbyeDPI or FakeNet-NG, often fails because an older version didn't clean up after itself or Windows Security thinks it’s a threat. 1. The "Clean Slate" Method (Admin Prompt)
Most of the time, the driver is registered but not actually running. You can clear this by opening Command Prompt as Administrator and typing: sc stop windivert sc delete windivert Use code with caution. Copied to clipboard
Restart your PC immediately after. This forces Windows to drop any "pending" installation requests. 2. Clear the Registry "Ghost"
If the command prompt doesn't work, the driver's ghost is in your registry. Search for regedit.
Navigate to: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\WinDivert Right-click and Delete the WinDivert folder. 3. Disable Core Isolation
Windows 10 and 11 have a feature called Memory Integrity (part of Core Isolation) that blocks drivers it doesn't recognize. If your WinDivert version is older or unsigned, Windows will block it silently.
Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Security > Device Security.
Click Core isolation details and toggle Memory integrity to Off. Restart and try the installation again. 4. The "Missing File" Quick Fix We reply to every query within 24 hours
Sometimes the driver fails because WinDivert64.sys isn't where the program expects it to be. Try copying the .sys file from your program's folder directly into C:\Windows\System32\drivers to see if it bypasses the install error.
WinDivert: What is the reason behind the error message "error
This blog post addresses the common "WinDivert driver cannot be installed" error often encountered in tools like GoodbyeDPI, ReQrypt, or custom network applications.
How to Fix: WinDivert Driver Cannot Be Installed (Must Restart)
If you are seeing the message "WinDivert driver cannot be installed, you must restart your computer," you’re likely stuck in a loop. Even after rebooting, the same error pops up. This usually happens because an old version of the driver is "ghosting" in your system or a third-party security tool is blocking the installation. Here is how to break the cycle and get it working. 1. Manually Clear the Old Service
The most common cause is a previous instance of WinDivert that didn't shut down properly. Windows thinks it’s still there, so it won’t let a new one install. Open Command Prompt as Administrator. Type the following commands one by one and hit Enter: sc stop WinDivert sc delete WinDivert Use code with caution. Copied to clipboard If you are using a specific version (like 1.4 or 2.0), try: sc stop WinDivert1.4 sc delete WinDivert1.4 Use code with caution. Copied to clipboard Restart your computer immediately after running these. 2. Check for Conflicts (VPNs & Antivirus)
WinDivert is a powerful packet-interception tool, which means some antivirus programs flag it as suspicious.
NordVPN / X-VPN: Some users report that "NordDivert" or similar modules in VPN apps conflict with standard WinDivert. Try closing your VPN entirely before launching your app.
Antivirus: Temporarily disable your real-time protection or add the folder containing WinDivert64.sys to your exclusions list. 3. The Registry "Deep Clean" WinDivert install error
If the sc delete command didn't work, you might need to manually remove the service entry from the Windows Registry. Press Win + R, type regedit, and hit Enter.
Navigate to: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\WinDivert Right-click the WinDivert folder and select Delete. Reboot your PC. 4. Verify Your Files
Ensure you aren't missing the core driver files in your application folder. You should see: WinDivert.dll WinDivert64.sys (for 64-bit systems) WinDivert32.sys (for 32-bit systems)
Tip: Some users find success by copying WinDivert64.sys directly into C:\Windows\System32\drivers, though this should usually be a last resort.
Still stuck? Make sure you are always right-clicking your application and choosing "Run as Administrator." WinDivert requires high-level permissions to interact with your network stack.
Are you using a specific program like GoodbyeDPI or a custom script when this happens? WinDivert not working on Windows 10 20H2 #253 - GitHub
WinDivert is a legitimate open-source driver used to capture and filter network packets. Windows takes network driver security very seriously. If Windows detects that a previous instance of the driver was not unloaded correctly, or if there are pending file operations in the System32 drivers folder, it blocks the new installation and demands a restart to clear the buffers.
Overly aggressive security software often quarantines WinDivert64.sys (the driver file) as a "potential risk" due to its packet interception behavior. When the application tries to install the driver, Windows returns a failure that manifests as the “must restart” error.
Sometimes, other network filtering or monitoring software can interfere with the installation of the WinDivert driver. Try temporarily disabling or uninstalling such software and then attempt to install the WinDivert driver.