A Guide on how to disable Driver Signing in Vista x64....

ready2rumbelX · September 1st, 2008

As most Vista x64 users know, the one thing about Vista x64 that's a real pain is the 'Driver Signing' issue.....whether it's old or recent unsigned drivers, Vista x64 will complain......not any longer.

The following guide will explain and detail several methods/options on how to disable or bypass driver signing.

NOTE: Some of the following options will require you to run the 'Test Mode' command line in Vista; so open a command prompt (cmd) and type the following:

bcdedit.exe /set TESTSIGNING ON

Once you run this (and it indicates 'Operation Completed Successfully'), reboot. You will notice, when re-entering Windows, that there is 'Test Mode' written at all corners of the screen (this watermark is similar to the 'Safe mode' watermark that appears when in 'Safe Mode'.

To get rid of the watermark, either visit:

http://www.mydigitallife.info/2006/1...-from-desktop/ (for Vista and Vista SP1 users)

(B.T.W, the above link also sorts out users who've installed either the beta or RC version of Service Pack 1 (although, why anyone would stick with those when the final is available...is beyond me )

or download the following file:

http://rapidshare.com/files/12885305..._Final_x64.rar

(Note: This is for Vista x64 SP1 Final ONLY!!!)

(Full credit for the above file goes to AlphaOmega from the 'My Digita Life' forum)

(B.T.W, if it is a problem to post this link, or upload the file on a different file hosting service, let me know...or a mod can remove the link)

In regards to the file link above, simply extract the contents of the archive into a folder on your hardrive. The archive contains several files, as well as a .bat file. In the .bat file, it directs copying two files into several Windows folders. By default, it directs it to C:\Windows. If your install of Windows is on a different drive, edit the .bat file and change it from C to x: (whichever it is on your system).

Once this is done, reboot your PC and boot into your Vista x64 DVD...once in, choose the 'Repair' option, then select 'Command Prompt' in the repair window. In the command prompt, browse to the directory with the extracted files, run the .bat file. Once done, reboot and return to Windows.

Another note: These replacement files work 100%, and what should happen is that the Test Mode watermark should disappear. But sometimes it works immediately and sometimes not. In the event that the watermark is STILL there, do not worry. Log into Windows Update and install at least one update (or you can do this offline, if you have the update file on your HD...I, for example, install Dreamscene). Once you've updated, and Windows configures it and reboots, you will see the watermark has gone....indefinitely. Also, if you don't wish to keep the update file, you can uninstall it afterwards and the watermark will still remain gone.

There is an instruction file in the archive, so it will explain as well.

Now, onto the available options...

Option 1:
Driver Signature Enforcement Overrider 1.0
http://www.ngohq.com/home.php?page=dseo

This, basically, allows you to sign your own drivers. I haven't tested this (as, for some odd reason, it doesn't open). You'll probably have to to use the 'Test Mode' command line in Windows' command prompt...I am unsure, but give it a go regardless.

Option 2:
Run the 'Test Mode' command, create your own 'Certificate' and sign your own drivers with the same name as your 'Certificate'

This is pretty much what the Driver Signature Enforcement Overrider 1.0 does, but the long-winded approach.

You will need to remove the watermark..if it disturbs you.

Clear, straight-forward instructions:
http://www.rage3d.com/board/showthread.php?t=33920573

In-depth info of what's entailed in the proceedure:
http://download.microsoft.com/downlo.../kmsigning.doc

And here is a couple of links to get the SDK:
http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa906239.aspx
http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/devtools/WDK/default.mspx

Note: It is important to stress that, although you can download this SDK, you may not strip any contents and distribute as such: i.e. you can't take the few files that are needed for this operation and archive them & distribute.

You must download the entire 2.1gb image.....taking content out of this image and distributing seperately is considered a violation in the EULA....or something like that....

Option 3:
(Note: This is for Vista x64 SP1 Final ONLY!!!)

Run the Test Mode command, reboot.

Then use the WM_Remove_user32.dll_SP1_Final_x64.rar i've posted above (follow the instructions written either in this post or in the archive).

At this point, you're good to go! With this method, you don't need to create a certificate or sign your own drivers....it will work seamlessly with drivers that are signed or unsigned.

So, this option will allow you to install ATi Tray Tools (for example) with ABSOLUTELY no problem.

With this method, i've not had a single problem.

This is my favourite, and simple, method which works beautifully in Vista x64 SP1 Final

Note: The only driver that I have HAD to manually sign (along with a certificate) is the usbport.sys driver which can support up to 1000Hz refresh rate.

Option 4:

Install either:

EasyBCD v1.7.2
http://neosmart.net/dl.php?id=1

This manages your boot record, and there is an option to disable driver signing....I have not tested this, but I am quite sure it will work just as well.

or

ReadyDriver Plus v1.1
http://citadel.x10hosting.com/readydriverplus/

That's my research so far. I've spent alot of time trying to get this driver signing pain out of the way.....my best choice is Option 3, by far.

I initially started this inquiry (with the subsequent research) at the ProNetworks Forum (belong to the authors of the tool VistaBootPro).

If you wish to visit my thread over there, check:
http://www.pronetworks.org/forum/vie...er=asc&start=0

Any updates I get I post there.

Hope this helps.

r2rX

Last edited by ready2rumbelX; September 3rd, 2008 at 20:32.

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September 1st, 2008	#1 (permalink)
ready2rumbelX InnarX Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Borderline InSAnE Posts: 2,699	As most Vista x64 users know, the one thing about Vista x64 that's a real pain is the 'Driver Signing' issue.....whether it's old or recent unsigned drivers, Vista x64 will complain......not any longer. The following guide will explain and detail several methods/options on how to disable or bypass driver signing. NOTE: Some of the following options will require you to run the 'Test Mode' command line in Vista; so open a command prompt (cmd) and type the following: *bcdedit.exe /set TESTSIGNING ON* Once you run this (and it indicates 'Operation Completed Successfully'), reboot. You will notice, when re-entering Windows, that there is 'Test Mode' written at all corners of the screen (this watermark is similar to the 'Safe mode' watermark that appears when in 'Safe Mode'. To get rid of the watermark, either visit: http://www.mydigitallife.info/2006/1...-from-desktop/ (for Vista and Vista SP1 users) (B.T.W, the above link also sorts out users who've installed either the beta or RC version of Service Pack 1 (although, why anyone would stick with those when the final is available...is beyond me ) or download the following file: http://rapidshare.com/files/12885305..._Final_x64.rar (Note: This is for Vista x64 SP1 Final ONLY!!!) (Full credit for the above file goes to AlphaOmega from the 'My Digita Life' forum) (B.T.W, if it is a problem to post this link, or upload the file on a different file hosting service, let me know...or a mod can remove the link) In regards to the file link above, simply extract the contents of the archive into a folder on your hardrive. The archive contains several files, as well as a .bat file. In the .bat file, it directs copying two files into several Windows folders. By default, it directs it to C:\Windows. If your install of Windows is on a different drive, edit the .bat file and change it from C to x: (whichever it is on your system). Once this is done, reboot your PC and boot into your Vista x64 DVD...once in, choose the 'Repair' option, then select 'Command Prompt' in the repair window. In the command prompt, browse to the directory with the extracted files, run the .bat file. Once done, reboot and return to Windows. Another note: These replacement files work 100%, and what should happen is that the Test Mode watermark should disappear. But sometimes it works immediately and sometimes not. In the event that the watermark is STILL there, do not worry. Log into Windows Update and install at least one update (or you can do this offline, if you have the update file on your HD...I, for example, install Dreamscene). Once you've updated, and Windows configures it and reboots, you will see the watermark has gone....indefinitely. Also, if you don't wish to keep the update file, you can uninstall it afterwards and the watermark will still remain gone. There is an instruction file in the archive, so it will explain as well. Now, onto the available options... Option 1: Driver Signature Enforcement Overrider 1.0 http://www.ngohq.com/home.php?page=dseo This, basically, allows you to sign your own drivers. I haven't tested this (as, for some odd reason, it doesn't open). You'll probably have to to use the 'Test Mode' command line in Windows' command prompt...I am unsure, but give it a go regardless. Option 2: Run the 'Test Mode' command, create your own 'Certificate' and sign your own drivers with the same name as your 'Certificate' This is pretty much what the Driver Signature Enforcement Overrider 1.0 does, but the long-winded approach. You will need to remove the watermark..if it disturbs you. Clear, straight-forward instructions: http://www.rage3d.com/board/showthread.php?t=33920573 In-depth info of what's entailed in the proceedure: http://download.microsoft.com/downlo.../kmsigning.doc And here is a couple of links to get the SDK: http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa906239.aspx http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/devtools/WDK/default.mspx Note: It is important to stress that, although you can download this SDK, you may not strip any contents and distribute as such: i.e. you can't take the few files that are needed for this operation and archive them & distribute. You must download the entire 2.1gb image.....taking content out of this image and distributing seperately is considered a violation in the EULA....or something like that.... Option 3: (Note: This is for Vista x64 SP1 Final ONLY!!!) Run the Test Mode command, reboot. Then use the WM_Remove_user32.dll_SP1_Final_x64.rar i've posted above (follow the instructions written either in this post or in the archive). At this point, you're good to go! With this method, you don't need to create a certificate or sign your own drivers....it will work seamlessly with drivers that are signed or unsigned. So, this option will allow you to install ATi Tray Tools (for example) with ABSOLUTELY no problem. With this method, i've not had a single problem. This is my favourite, and simple, method which works beautifully in Vista x64 SP1 Final Note: The only driver that I have HAD to manually sign (along with a certificate) is the usbport.sys driver which can support up to 1000Hz refresh rate. Option 4: Install either: EasyBCD v1.7.2 http://neosmart.net/dl.php?id=1 This manages your boot record, and there is an option to disable driver signing....I have not tested this, but I am quite sure it will work just as well. or ReadyDriver Plus v1.1 http://citadel.x10hosting.com/readydriverplus/ That's my research so far. I've spent alot of time trying to get this driver signing pain out of the way.....my best choice is Option 3, by far. I initially started this inquiry (with the subsequent research) at the ProNetworks Forum (belong to the authors of the tool VistaBootPro). If you wish to visit my thread over there, check: http://www.pronetworks.org/forum/vie...er=asc&start=0 Any updates I get I post there. Hope this helps. r2rX Last edited by ready2rumbelX; September 3rd, 2008 at 20:32.