The "WinDivert driver cannot be installed: You must restart your computer" error can be caused by various factors, including pending system restarts, conflicting system files, insufficient system permissions, and driver package issues. By following the troubleshooting steps outlined in this article, you should be able to resolve the issue and successfully install the WinDivert driver. If you are still experiencing issues, you may want to consider seeking additional help from the WinDivert community or a qualified IT professional.
Because WinDivert operates at the kernel level (the core of your operating system), Windows treats it as a critical system driver. Consequently, Windows has strict rules about installing, updating, or removing this driver—often requiring a reboot to finalize changes. The "WinDivert driver cannot be installed: You must
If the user clicks , the application should not crash. It should enter "Limited Mode." Because WinDivert operates at the kernel level (the
: Modern Windows versions may block WinDivert if it isn't properly signed. You can temporarily Disable Driver Signature Enforcement through Advanced Startup to test if this is the cause Administrator Privileges : Ensure the application using WinDivert is set to Run as Administrator It should enter "Limited Mode