Windows Requires a Digitally Signed Driver Error When Installing NI Software

Updated Feb 25, 2026

Reported In

Driver

  • NI-FGEN

Operating System

  • Windows

Other

  • Windows 7 SP1
  • Windows. Embedded Standard 7 SP1
  • Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1

Issue Details

  • When installing any NI software, Windows gives me an installation error dialog box similar to the one below:
     
 
Windows requires a digitally signed driver
 
  • I try to install NI-FGEN 20.0 version into my Windows 7 SP1 system computer. However after I click reboot to finish the installation, it pop out System Recovery Tools and unable to boot up system normally. What does this error mean and how do I fix it?

 

 

Solution

This error indicates that your version of Windows in unable to support the SHA-256 certificate with which NI software is signed. Windows 7 SP1, Windows. Embedded Standard 7 SP1, and Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1 require Microsoft updates to support SHA-256. Refer to Microsoft KB3033929 or KB3125574 for more information about how to install these updates. 

Additional Information

On May 1, 2021, NI software will drop support for Microsoft Windows 7 (32- and 64-bit), Windows Server 2008 R2, and all 32-bit Windows operating systems. NI hardware and software released after May 1, 2021, may not install or execute correctly on those operating systems. Check here for more information.

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