Disabling Win 7 x64 Driver Signing

[NickM]

I have an unsigned driver that I want to run, on x32 is was no problem but having moved to x64 it wont run.

1) How safe is disabling driver signing?
2) Is there a better/more permanent way than F8 every time I boot the computer?

Thanks

 

[Ascendancy]

I had this issue with a mates PC. His wireless card needed an unsigned x64 driver. The way we got around it I think was using some bootloader that automatically pressed f8 and selected the driver signing disable option.

 

[theheyes]

I have an unsigned driver that I want to run, on x32 is was no problem but having moved to x64 it wont run.

1) How safe is disabling driver signing?
2) Is there a better/more permanent way than F8 every time I boot the computer?

Thanks

It depends what driver it is and where it comes from more than anything. If you don't trust the source then I wouldn't trust the driver.

If you mean will it cause stability problems because it is unsigned, then no not necessarily, but signed drivers have a passed a level of quality control.

 

[NickM]

Its the driver for Virtual Audio Cable which seems ok. If I disabled it though then I guess anything could install drivers but I suppose that would be no different to x32.

 

[theheyes]

Well you'd still need the required permissions to load a driver the same as x86 Windows, you just don't get the bonuses that come with them being signed that's all.