Before we fix it, it helps to know what it is. is a user-mode packet capture/divert driver. It allows software to intercept, filter, and modify network traffic on your Windows machine. It is a legitimate tool used by many open-source and commercial applications to manage network flows without requiring a complex kernel-mode driver.
The "WinDivert driver cannot be installed you must restart your computer" error is usually caused by the Windows Fast Startup feature not fully resetting the driver state, or by leftover driver files from a previous crash.
How to Fix the "WinDivert driver cannot be installed, you must restart your computer" Error
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: Ensure WinDivert.sys , WinDivert.inf , and WdfCoInstaller*.dll are all present in your application's directory. Before we fix it, it helps to know what it is
(Note: You may need to restart in Safe Mode if the system says the file is currently in use).
Navigate to the following path: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager
Anti-virus or firewall software may be blocking the driver, treating it as a malicious network hook. How to Fix "WinDivert Driver Cannot Be Installed"
If a simple restart and admin mode doesn't fix it, the driver likely needs a manual refresh. It is a legitimate tool used by many
By following these steps, you should clear the "Must Restart" loop and allow the driver to hook into your network stack correctly.
Step 2: Force Delete the WinDivert Service via Command Prompt
When you encounter the installation loop error, it is usually driven by one of the following root causes:
Don’t just click "Shut Down." Click Restart . This forces Windows to clear the kernel and reload all drivers, including WinDivert. 2. Manually Remove Old WinDivert Services This link or copies made by others cannot be deleted
if (CheckSystemState() == SystemState.RestartRequired)
If you’re using a tool like Windscribe or Proxifier, also check their official forums – sometimes they release a new WinDivert version that bypasses the issue entirely.
Fix: "WinDivert Driver Cannot Be Installed. You Must Restart Your Computer"