However, Microsoft encourages publishers to digitally sign all kernel-mode software, including device drivers (user-mode drivers included) for 32-bit systems as well. Note The mandatory kernel-mode code-signing policy applies to all kernel-mode software for 圆4-based systems that are running on Windows Vista and later versions of Windows. In the case of boot-start drivers during system start, drivers that are loaded by the system loader (Windows Vista and later versions of Windows), vendors must use a Software Publishers Certificate (SPC) to embed-sign their driver binary image file.

Vendors or driver developers can obtain a software publishing certificate (SPC) from a Microsoft authorized Certificate Authority (CA) and use it to sign kernel mode and user mode binaries by themselves.

If your driver package is signed by WHQL, it can be distributed through the Windows Update program or other Microsoft-supported distribution mechanisms. When your driver package passes the certification tests, it can be signed by Windows Hardware Quality Labs (WHQL).

Certify your driver with Microsoft and Microsoft will provide a signature for it.

Microsoft provides the following two ways to digitally sign drivers: Starting with Windows Vista, 圆4-based versions of Windows require all software running in kernel mode, including drivers, to be digitally signed in order to be loaded. Troubleshooting Driver Signing Installation.The following subtopics describe the process: This tutorial provides an overview and details the steps to sign driver binaries for Windows in one consolidated location.

Update for windows 7 driver signature