Windivert Driver Cannot Be Installed You Must Restart Your Computer [ Ultimate • 2027 ]

Troubleshooting: "WinDivert driver cannot be installed, you must restart your computer"

// Check for PendingFileRenameOperations var value = key.GetValue("PendingFileRenameOperations"); if (value != null) Pending Windows Updates – A half-finished update blocks

Final Word

Some security tools block dynamically loading kernel drivers: Troubleshooting: "WinDivert driver cannot be installed

Antivirus

: Check if software like Sophos or other antivirus tools have quarantined the .sys file. Pending Windows Updates – A half-finished update blocks

Here is a deep dive into why this happens and how to fix it for good. 1. Clear Stuck Services (The Primary Fix)

Author’s note: Always reboot after each fix attempt. And if you’re on a managed work/school PC, contact your IT admin – they likely have driver policies in place.

You restart, try again, and… the same message appears. Don’t worry. This is a common Windows driver permission or conflict issue, and it’s usually fixable in under 10 minutes.

  1. Pending Windows Updates – A half-finished update blocks new driver installations.
  2. Driver Signature Enforcement – WinDivert’s test signing mode is disabled (or Secure Boot is blocking it).
  3. Leftover registry/disk artifacts – A previous incomplete installation is stuck.
  4. Antivirus interference – Some security software quarantines WinDivert as “suspicious.”