Our readers already know some of the best features in Windows 11 to upgrade for and they made the big step in this direction. However, some of them have asked us what they should do when they encounter the Windows cannot verify digital signature – Code 52 message in Device Manager or DXDiag. The full error is the following one: Windows cannot verify the digital signature for the drivers required for this device. a recent hardware or software change might have installed a file that is signed incorrectly or damaged, or that might be malicious software from an unknown source. (code 52) That being said, having a better understanding of why this error appears and how to better take care of your device and prevent this issue from happening in the future has become a necessity.

Is the digital signature mandatory?

According to Microsoft, the digital signature’s main purpose is to actively protect your system from threats and infections by making sure that the signer is trusted and that the files were not altered in any way after they were published. Therefore, every single driver and program must be digitally signed before you install and run it on your device. But this isn’t always the case, as not all publishers and vendors are verified and neither are their products. It is simply impossible for Microsoft to check all the drivers or programs that are published daily and have them digitally signed for your device’s safety. That is why you can come across driver errors since the OS won’t allow an unsigned legitimate software or driver to work or load as it should.

Error Code 52 main causes

You are about to discover how to troubleshoot this issue, but first, understand that the most common cause is related to incorrectly signed driver files installed on your PC and it mostly occurs after updating or upgrading Windows. Things are no different for those who discovered that their PC is eligible for a free upgrade after using WhyNotWin11. They’ve learned to download Windows 11 and it seems that this error is part of the package too. Corruption in the Windows Registry from a recent software change can also lead to this issue, as well as problematic filters for USB or incompatible drivers installed in the system. Some other reasons include damaged hardware, improper installation, or uninstallation of a program, and virus or malware infection that has corrupted Windows system files. That’s why we strongly recommend using one of the best antivirus options for Windows 11 by taking into consideration elements such as scanning capabilities, ransomware protection, malware/virus removal, or resource consumption. Even if it’s not a situation you want to be in, rest assured that we have the solution to this error. Some step-by-step guides are waiting for you below, so check them out.

How to fix the digital signature – Code 52 error on Windows 11?

1. Uninstall the driver manually

2. Download and install the driver

You can also try DriverFix, a driver updater tool that will automatically perform the procedure if you do not want to go through the above steps to update your faulty drivers. Even more, by choosing this software, you won’t put your computer at any risk by installing the wrong drivers and having to deal with errors all over again. SPONSORED

3. Run SFC scannow to fix the corrupt system files

If the scannow command has stopped before the process finished, there’s no reason to worry about. As always, we’ve got an easy fix for you.

4. Remove USB Upper Filter and Lower Filter entries

5. Perform a System Restore

System Restore is a recovery feature in the Windows operating system that allows you to restore your PC to an earlier state. You can do a restore point manually, but you should know that your PC will usually create them on its own when installing new software, driver, or if you update your system.

6. Disable driver signature enforcement

If you’re having trouble accessing Command Prompt as an admin, then you better take a closer look at our guide. This issue will become a thing of the past in no time.

7. Disable Automatic Hardware drivers update

8. Boot your PC and disable driver signing enforcement

The default boot location is none other than your hard drive where the operation system is installed. However, if the above method isn’t for you, have a look at our guide and discover how simple it is to boot from USB too.

9. Reset your BIOS

If you are having trouble resetting your BIOS, you should definitely check out this article and find out how to easily update your BIOS. This brings you access to new features and increased stability.

What happens if I disable driver signature enforcement?

As previously said, this Windows feature pretty much guarantees you that your drivers are authentic and unbroken by malicious apps. A digital signature is an integral part of any operating system, meant to protect your system and prevent you from installing unverified drivers. When it comes to Windows, the OS actually requires that a driver belongs to a verified developer and that the driver understands that it simply cannot be fraudulent. If you disable signature enforcement, there will be nothing to prevent you from installing broken, poorly-written, or malicious drivers, which can easily crash your system. You can also temporarily shut it down, as the ongoing lack of verification can lead to negative computer performance. So if you don’t wish to disable driver signing permanently, or want to know how to enable it back on, you should check out our full comprehensive guide on driver signature verification. We hope that this guide has successfully helped you in resolving the issue and your PC is now error-free. Even more, learn all about the latest Windows 11 preview build 22000.65 and be on the lookout for its bugs but also its newest features. Use the comments section below and tell us which method has helped you fix the problem. If you have any suggestions or know of another solution, then feel free to share them with us as well.

SPONSORED Name * Email * Commenting as . Not you? Save information for future comments
Comment

Δ