Windows 10测试模式安装的驱动，关闭测试模式后能否正常运行？

Great question—this is a common point of confusion with unsigned drivers and Windows Test Mode, especially for hardware like USB-to-RS232 adapters which often come with uncertified drivers. Let’s break down what happens when you disable Test Mode after installing the unsigned driver:

Key Scenarios to Consider #

• If you disable Test Mode but don’t restart your PC:
  The unsigned driver you installed will continue to work normally for your current session. Windows only enforces driver signature checks during system boot and when a driver is first loaded. Since your driver is already active, shutting off Test Mode won’t immediately kick it out.

• If you disable Test Mode and restart your PC:
  This is where things change. On boot, Windows will revert to its default driver signature enforcement policy, which blocks unsigned drivers from loading. Your USB-to-RS232 adapter will likely stop working—you’ll probably see a yellow exclamation mark next to it in Device Manager, with an error related to unsigned driver software.

Why This Happens #

Test Mode’s primary purpose is to bypass Windows’ default requirement for digitally signed drivers during the loading and installation process. Once a driver is installed and running, it doesn’t strictly depend on Test Mode to keep operating… until the next reboot. At that point, the system rechecks all driver signatures as part of the boot sequence.

Workarounds (If You Want to Avoid Test Mode Permanently) #

If you don’t want to leave Test Mode enabled (which adds a watermark to your desktop and has minor security implications), here are two common alternatives:

1. Temporary bypass on boot:
   Restart your PC into Advanced Startup Options, then select "Disable driver signature enforcement". This lets you load unsigned drivers for that boot session only—you’ll need to repeat this every time you restart.
2. Permanent policy change (Pro/Enterprise editions only):
   Use Command Prompt as Administrator to adjust Windows’ signature enforcement:
   • Run: bcdedit /set nointegritychecks on
   • This disables driver integrity checks (similar to Test Mode but without the watermark). Note that this still reduces system security, so only use it if you fully trust the driver source.

内容的提问来源于stack exchange，提问作者Erik