Have you ever encountered a situation where you need to install a driver or software that requires a test signature, but your Windows 7 won’t allow it? The solution to this problem is to enable Test Mode in Windows 7. Enabling Test Mode is not a complicated process, and it only takes a few minutes to complete. In this blog post, we will walk you through several methods to enable Test Mode in Windows 7.
Video Tutorial:
The Challenge of Enabling Test Mode in Windows 7
If you’re trying to install a driver or software that doesn’t have a digital signature from Microsoft, Windows 7 will automatically block the installation to protect your system from potential harm or security issues. Even if you try to install such software by running it as an administrator, it will result in the same error message. In this situation, enabling Test Mode is crucial to bypass the restriction and successfully install the software.
Things You Should Prepare for
Before you proceed with any of the methods below, make sure that you have the following items ready:
– A Windows 7 computer with administrative privileges
– A stable internet connection
– The software or driver that you want to install
Method 1: Using Command Prompt
Step 1: Click on the Start menu, then search for CMD. Right-click on Command Prompt and select Run as administrator.
Step 2: Type in the following command: bcdedit -set TESTSIGNING ON
Step 3: Press Enter and wait for the success message to appear.
Pros: The process is straightforward and doesn’t require any additional software to install.
Cons: It only lasts until your next reboot.
Method 2: Using EasyBCD
Step 1: Download and install EasyBCD from its official website.
Step 2: Launch EasyBCD and navigate to the “Advanced settings” section.
Step 3: Check the “Debugging Mode” box.
Step 4: Click on the “Save Settings” button.
Pros: You can switch between Test Mode and normal mode easily with this method.
Cons: You need to download a third-party software to enable Test Mode.
Method 3: Using Visual BCD Editor
Step 1: Download and install Visual BCD Editor from its official website.
Step 2: Open Visual BCD Editor and navigate to the “System Store” section.
Step 3: Right-click on the “Windows Boot Manager” option and select “Create missing Windows loaders entries.”
Step 4: From the dropdown list, select “Windows 7/2008/Windows 8” – “(Loader)Windows 7/2008/Vista.”
Step 5: Check the “Testsigning” box.
Step 6: Click on the “Save settings” button.
Pros: The method is reliable and has a low chance of causing harm to your system.
Cons: You need to download an external software to enable Test Mode.
Why Can’t I Enable Test Mode in Windows 7?
The following are common reasons why users cannot enable Test Mode in Windows 7:
1. No administrative privileges. You need to log in as an administrator to enable Test Mode in Windows 7.
2. Anti-virus software. Your anti-virus software may flag the installation of some software or drivers. In this case, you need to temporarily disable it or add an exception to the installation file.
3. Corrupted system files. If your system files are damaged or corrupted, it could affect the installation process. You need to run the system file checker to repair them.
Additional Tips
After enabling Test Mode, you should only install software or drivers from reliable sources. Installing software from unknown sources could potentially harm your system. You should also disable Test Mode after installing the software or driver.
5 FAQs about Enabling Test Mode in Windows 7
Q1: How do I disable Test Mode in Windows 7?
A: Open Command Prompt as an administrator and type in “bcdedit -set TESTSIGNING OFF” and press Enter.
Q2: How do I know if my Windows 7 is in Test Mode?
A: Open Command Prompt as an administrator and type in “bcdedit” and press Enter. If “testsigning” is set to “Yes,” it means your Windows 7 is in Test Mode.
Q3: Is it safe to enable Test Mode in Windows 7?
A: It depends on the source of the software or driver you want to install. If the source is reliable, then it’s generally safe to enable Test Mode.
Q4: Can I install digitally signed software or drivers while in Test Mode?
A: Yes, you can install digitally signed software or drivers while in Test Mode.
Q5: Do I need to enable Test Mode every time I install new software or drivers?
A: No, you only need to enable Test Mode once. However, you need to disable it once you’ve finished installing the software or driver.
In Conclusion
Enabling Test Mode in Windows 7 is a useful feature for installing software or drivers without a digital signature. You can enable it in various ways, such as using Command Prompt, EasyBCD, or Visual BCD Editor. It’s crucial to keep in mind that enabling Test Mode comes with risks, as it may potentially harm your system. You should only enable Test Mode from reliable sources and disable it once you’ve finished installing the software or driver. Follow the steps in this blog post to enable Test Mode in Windows 7 successfully.{“@context”:”https://schema.org”,”@type”:”FAQPage”,”mainEntity”:null}
