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Forcing Windows XP to Only Use Signed Drivers

A common cause of system instability can be the use of drivers that have not passed the strict Microsoft Windows certification testing procedure.

It is possible to force your sysytem to only use drivers that have been certified, and thus should provide an increased level of system stability. However before you implement this on your P.C. you need to be aware that this may stop you being able to use any hardware that doesn’t have a signed driver, and we would only recommend this as a last resort or diagnostic tool.

To change your preferences with regard to driver signing use the following procedure

  • Open the Control Panel and start the System applet.
  • Select the Hardware tab and then click the Driver Signing button.
  • You will now see a dialog box where you can change the way in which you would like to handle un-signed drivers


The Chief Chimp has been around computers and technology since the early 1980's having built his own computer from a ZX81 kit. Moving on to Commodores, BBC's, Atari's, and finally PC's he's never happier than when he's messing around with a computer whether it be Windows, Linux, iOS or Android.