Before removing an incompatible driver in Windows 11, identify the exact driver and the problem it causes. A driver blocked by Memory integrity is different from a device showing a general error in Device Manager. Updating the responsible device or application may fix the issue without removing useful hardware support.
Identify the driver first
For a Memory integrity warning, open Windows Security > Device security > Core isolation details. If Windows offers Review incompatible drivers, open it and record the driver filename, publisher, and other details shown. Match them to the device or application that installed the driver.
The fix to look for is a compatible update, as the Windows device security page explains. A driver warning does not mean you should disable the protection to make the warning disappear.
For a device malfunction, right-click Start, open Device Manager, and inspect the affected device’s Properties > General status. Record its error code. A yellow warning icon identifies a problem, not one specific cause.
Try a compatible update
Check Windows Update, including relevant optional driver updates. Then check the PC, device, or application manufacturer’s official support page for the exact model and Windows version. Application-installed drivers may require updating the owning application rather than selecting an unrelated device in Device Manager.
After installation, restart if requested and test again. If a recent update caused a device failure, its Properties > Driver > Roll Back Driver option may help when an earlier driver is available. A rollback that restores an incompatible driver will not solve a Memory integrity conflict.
Remove only a confirmed, unneeded component
If an unused application’s driver is responsible, use that application’s supported uninstall procedure. For a device you have positively identified, Device Manager offers Uninstall device. Read the confirmation carefully: removing the device entry and removing its driver package are different actions.
Before proceeding, save your work and obtain the correct replacement installer. Removing network, storage, display, keyboard, or mouse support can interrupt your connection or ability to use the PC. If you cannot identify the driver or its role, stop and ask the manufacturer for help.
After a device uninstall, restart. Windows attempts to reinstall drivers, but a working replacement is not guaranteed; see Microsoft’s driver reinstall instructions. Reinstallation can also restore the same incompatible package.
Remove a leftover driver package with pnputil
Drivers from old printers, VPNs, game controllers or tuning tools often stay on the PC after the device or app is gone. These leftovers are a common cause of Memory integrity warnings. To remove one:
- Note the file name shown under Review incompatible drivers, such as oldtool.sys, and the Published name if one is listed, such as oem12.inf.
- Open Terminal or Command Prompt as an administrator and run
pnputil /enum-drivers. Find the entry whose Original Name and provider match, and note its Published Name. - Run
pnputil /delete-driver oem12.inf /uninstall, using your Published Name. - Restart the PC.
If pnputil reports that the driver is in use, a device still depends on it. Go back and confirm what it’s for before you try anything stronger. Only delete packages you’re sure about. Never remove drivers whose provider is Microsoft or your PC maker’s chipset or storage vendor unless support tells you to.
Find drivers for hardware you no longer use
Old devices that aren’t plugged in anymore don’t show in Device Manager by default, but their drivers can still block Memory integrity.
- Right-click Start and select Device Manager.
- Select View > Show hidden devices. Faded entries are devices that aren’t connected right now.
- Look for the device that matches the driver name from Review incompatible drivers. Right-click it, select Uninstall device, and check Delete the driver software for this device if that option appears.
To see every third-party driver package at once, open PowerShell as an administrator and run Get-WindowsDriver -Online. Each entry lists the Driver (the oem number used with pnputil), the OriginalFileName, the provider, and the date, which helps you match an old file to the app or device that installed it.
Turn Memory integrity back on
- Open Windows Security > Device security > Core isolation details.
- Turn on Memory integrity.
- Restart when Windows asks.
If the switch turns itself off again or still lists a driver, repeat the steps above for that driver. Some older hardware has no compatible driver; in that case you have to choose between the device and the protection.
Verify the actual result
Reopen the original warning and test the affected device. For Memory integrity, confirm that the incompatible-driver entry is resolved and the intended protection can remain enabled after restarting. An empty Device Manager warning list alone does not establish that.
Do not delete random .sys files, force-remove unidentified driver packages, or run a generic driver-cleaner tool. Keep a record of the filename and changes you made so further troubleshooting starts from evidence.
Troubleshooting
- The driver comes back after a restart. An app or Windows Update is reinstalling it. Uninstall the app that owns it first, then remove the package again.
- Memory integrity is still greyed out with no drivers listed. Install all updates, restart, and check again. Virtualization must also be turned on in the PC’s firmware settings.
- A device stopped working after removal. Download its newest Windows 11 driver from the maker. If none exists, the device may not be compatible with Memory integrity.
- Several drivers are listed. Handle them one at a time and restart between each, so you know which change caused any problem.
Frequently asked questions
Is it safe to leave Memory integrity off?
It works, but your PC loses a layer of protection against malicious drivers. Fixing the driver and turning it back on is the safer choice.
Can Windows Update remove incompatible drivers for me?
Sometimes. Updated drivers from Windows Update or the maker often replace the old one. Check Settings > Windows Update > Advanced options > Optional updates.
Related: how to disable HVCI and KMCI in Windows 11.
Matt Jacobs has been working as an IT consultant for small businesses since receiving his Master’s degree in 2003. While he still does some consulting work, his primary focus now is on creating technology support content for SupportYourTech.com.
His work can be found on many websites and focuses on topics such as Microsoft Office, Apple devices, Android devices, Photoshop, and more.