Windivert Driver Cannot Be Installed You Must Restart Your Computer [ Top 100 TOP-RATED ]

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

typically occurs when a previous version of the driver is stuck in memory or a service entry is blocking a new installation 1. Remove the Existing Service

Manually stopping and deleting the service often fixes persistent installation errors. Stack Overflow Command Prompt Administrator Type the following commands one by one, pressing after each: sc stop WinDivert sc delete WinDivert your computer and try running your application again. 2. Clear Registry Entries

If the service deletion fails, a leftover registry key may be the cause. Navigate to: The error "WinDivert driver cannot be installed, you

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\WinDivert Right-click the folder and select your system immediately after. 3. Disable Memory Integrity (Windows 10/11) Windows Security features like Memory Integrity can block non-standard drivers from loading. Microsoft Support Privacy & Security Windows Security Device Security Core isolation details Memory Integrity and restart your PC. Microsoft Support 4. Verify File Placement & Permissions Admin Rights : Ensure the application using WinDivert is set to Run as Administrator File Location : Verify that WinDivert.sys WinDivert.dll WinDivert.inf

are all in the same folder as your application's executable. Architecture Match : Ensure you are using the 64-bit driver ( WinDivert64.sys

) for 64-bit Windows or the 32-bit version for 32-bit systems. Stack Overflow For more technical details, you can refer to the official WinDivert Documentation on GitHub Open Device Manager → View → Show hidden devices

Did this error appear while you were trying to use a specific network tool WinDivert not working on Windows 10 20H2 #253 - GitHub 17 Nov 2020 —

Based on your request, it seems you are encountering a persistent WinDivert error where the driver installation fails, and the system demands a restart (often caused by a "System Restart Pending" state in Windows).

Below is a feature design for a "Smart Driver Installer" module. This feature is designed to be integrated into applications using WinDivert (like network blockers, sniffers, or firewalls) to handle this specific error gracefully without crashing or confusing the user. restart the system

3. Insufficient Privileges or Antivirus Interference

WinDivert installs to C:\Windows\System32\drivers\. This directory is heavily protected by Windows. If you are not running the installer as an Administrator, or if your antivirus software is blocking the driver installation (flagging it as a potential risk because of its packet-diverting nature), the installation will fail.

4.1 Immediate Safe Reboot (Recommended)

The simplest fix: save work, restart the system, and re-run the installer. This clears pending file operations, unloads any orphaned driver instances, and resets the SCM state.

3. Remove Leftover WinDivert Files Manually

If the driver is stuck in a half-installed state:

Open Device Manager → View → Show hidden devices.
Expand Non-Plug and Play Drivers.
Look for WinDivert or windivert64.sys.
Right-click → Uninstall device (check “Delete driver software” if available).