Windivert Driver Cannot Be Installed You Must Restart Your Computer Link

then reboot and reinstall.

If Windows says you need a restart, it’s likely because it’s trying to overwrite a service that’s "marked for deletion." You can force this process using the command prompt: Open as an Administrator .

fltmc filters | findstr /i "filter"

Then:

If it exists and contains references to windivert.sys , back up your registry key, then delete those specific lines or the value itself.

This error typically occurs when a previous version of the driver is stuck in memory or its service registry entry is corrupted, preventing a new installation. 1. Clear Corrupted Registry Entries

(under Device Security > Core Isolation) if the driver is being blocked from loading Microsoft Support Common Causes to Check Driver Signature Enforcement then reboot and reinstall

Click , choose Folder , and select the entire directory where your application is installed. Summary of Solutions Target Cause Success Rate sc delete windivert Ghost driver stuck in Windows registry Run as Administrator Insufficient user account privileges Turn off Driver Blocklist Windows Security blocking kernel execution Antivirus Exclusion False positives deleting the .sys file

If you are using an older version of WinDivert, or a modified version packaged with a niche tool, Windows 10 or 11 might block it because it lacks a valid digital signature.

Temporarily disable antivirus like Sophos or specialized firewalls. Ensure .sys and .dll files are in the program folder. This error typically occurs when a previous version

Manual removal of the registry key is often the most effective fix for this specific "restart loop" error. Press , type regedit , and press Enter .

The error message typically indicates that a previous instance of the WinDivert driver is locked in a pending deletion state, or the system lacks the necessary administrative permissions to register the new kernel driver. While the error suggests a system reboot, this prompt often persists even after multiple restarts if the underlying registry keys or active handles are not properly cleared.