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"
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. This blog post addresses the common "WinDivert driver
Are you using a specific program like GoodbyeDPI or a custom script when this happens? WinDivert not working on Windows 10 20H2 #253 - GitHub
Introduction
WinDivert is a user-mode packet diversion driver that allows developers to capture, modify, and redirect network traffic on Windows systems. However, some users have reported encountering an issue during the installation of the WinDivert driver, which states that the driver cannot be installed and that a computer restart is required. This report aims to investigate the causes of this issue and provide possible solutions.
Background
The WinDivert driver is a kernel-mode driver that requires administrative privileges to install. During installation, the driver attempts to load into the Windows kernel. If the installation is successful, the driver creates a network interface that can be used to capture and modify network traffic.
Causes of the Issue
Based on user reports and online forums, the following are possible causes of the "WinDivert driver cannot be installed, you must restart your computer" issue:
Solutions
To resolve the "WinDivert driver cannot be installed, you must restart your computer" issue, try the following solutions:
Conclusion
The "WinDivert driver cannot be installed, you must restart your computer" issue can be caused by a variety of factors, including pending system restarts, conflicting kernel-mode drivers, insufficient privileges, and system configuration issues. By trying the solutions outlined in this report, users should be able to resolve the issue and successfully install the WinDivert driver. Pending system restart : If there are pending
Recommendations
Future Work
The WinDivert (Windows Packet Divert) driver installation often fails with a persistent restart loop if there are orphaned services, conflicting registry entries, or missing dependencies. Because WinDivert is installed "on-demand" by applications
, the error usually indicates the system is unable to initialize its kernel-mode service. Common Fixes for WinDivert Installation Errors
If you are repeatedly prompted to restart but the driver still won't load, try these steps in order: Remove Orphaned Services
: A "zombie" service from a previous version or failed install can block new instances. Run these commands in a Command Prompt as Administrator to force-remove them: sc stop WinDivert sc stop WinDivert1.4 depending on your version) sc delete WinDivert Clear the Registry
: If the service commands don't work, manually delete the registry key. Navigate to:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\WinDivert and delete the entire folder, then your computer. Disable Memory Integrity
: Modern Windows security features can block third-party drivers. Go to Windows Security > Device Security > Core Isolation and try turning off Memory Integrity Verify File Placement
: WinDivert requires specific files to be in the application's home directory to install correctly on-demand. Ensure WinDivert.dll WinDivert.sys WinDivert.inf
are all present in the folder of the program you are trying to run. Check for Conflicts Solutions To resolve the "WinDivert driver cannot be
: Some antivirus or firewall software (like Sophos) is known to block the WinDivert driver. Temporarily disabling these may allow the driver to load. Test-Signing Mode
: If you are using a custom or older build, you may need to enable Test-Signing mode via the command: Bcdedit.exe -set TESTSIGNING ON followed by a Microsoft Support Why does this happen? According to technical discussions on Stack Overflow
, the "restart required" message is often a generic Windows response to a driver that failed to initialize due to: Architecture Mismatch : Attempting to load a 32-bit driver on a 64-bit system. Missing Privileges : The application calling the driver must be Run as Administrator Virtualization : WinDivert is often incompatible with environments like or certain setups that do not support standard device drivers. Are you getting a specific error code (like 110, 577, or 1275) along with the restart message? A driver can't load on this device - Microsoft Support
Applies To. Security Windows 10 Windows 11. Our free trial of Microsoft 365 is waiting for you. Unlock now. Windows 11 Windows 10. Microsoft Support WinDivert not working on Windows 10 20H2 #253 - GitHub
Troubleshooting Guide: Windivert Driver Installation Issue - "You must restart your computer"
If you're encountering the frustrating issue where the Windivert driver cannot be installed, and you're stuck with the message "You must restart your computer," you're not alone. This guide aims to walk you through understanding the issue and several steps to resolve it, ensuring you can successfully install the Windivert driver.
.sys file.WinDivert64.sys into C:\Windows\System32\drivers\.%ProgramData%\WinDivert to your AV exclusion list.Critical: Re-enable your antivirus after success.
Antivirus or security software might be interfering with the installation.
net stop WinDivert
sc delete WinDivert
del C:\Windows\System32\drivers\WinDivert64.sys
del C:\Windows\SysWOW64\WinDivert.dll (if exists)
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\WinDivertIf the driver fails to uninstall, clean the store:
Open Command Prompt as Admin and run:
pnputil /enum-drivers | findstr "WinDivert"
Note the Published Name (e.g., oem42.inf). Then delete:
pnputil /delete-driver oem42.inf /uninstall /force
Repeat for any other WinDivert entries. Then restart and reinstall.