Windivert Driver Cannot Be Installed You Must Restart Your Computer Better Here
Many applications extract the WinDivert.sys file to your system's temporary directory during execution. If this file becomes corrupted, installation fails. Press Windows Key + R to open the Run dialog box. Type %temp% and press .
Sometimes the service configuration is removed, but the physical driver file remains locked in the system cache or temporary folders.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\WinDivert Delete this entry and then restart your computer Fix WMI Errors
This public link is valid for 7 days and shares a thread, including any personal information you added. This link or copies made by others cannot be deleted. If you share with third parties, their policies apply. Can’t copy the link right now. Try again later. Many applications extract the WinDivert
A previous session of the app crashed, leaving a ghost instance of the driver locked in the system memory.
sc delete WinDivert (Note: You may need to use the specific version name, such as WinDivert1.4 or WinDivert2.2 ).
A previous instance of the WinDivert driver did not unload correctly. Windows marks the service for deletion, but locks it until the next reboot. Type %temp% and press
A previous version of the driver is still active or improperly unloaded in the background.
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.
Multiple tools rely on WinDivert. If one is running in the background, it will lock the driver. Common culprits include: GoodbyeDPI / GreenTunnel / Anti-censorship bypass tools Custom firewalls or packet inspection software Certain game ping-reduction tools or VPNs This link or copies made by others cannot be deleted
: The software is looking for WinDivert64.sys or WinDivert32.sys in the wrong directory. Step-by-Step Fixes 1. Manually Remove the Old Service
Did these solutions work for you? Let us know in the comments which step fixed the issue!
Most often, this error occurs because a previous session of a program using WinDivert (like a VPN, specialized firewall, or game lag-reduction tool) crashed without properly removing the driver service.
I can provide specific instructions tailored to your exact setup. Share public link