Windows XP in a Nutshell

Name

Signature Verification Tool — \windows\system32\sigverif.exe

Synopsis

Verify digital signatures in device drivers.

To Open

Start → Programs → Accessories → System Tools → System Information → Tools menu → File Signature Verification Utility

Command Prompt → sigverif

Description

Microsoft digitally signs device drivers shipped with Windows so you can verify that they have not been modified since testing. Drivers developed by third-party manufacturers are submitted to Microsoft for testing and, once those drivers pass the hardware standards testing, they are signed as well. The Signature Verification Tool (sigverif.exe) lets you manually verify that your installed drivers have not been modified in any way since testing.

Click Start to scan your system for unsigned drivers; if any are found, you’ll be notified. Click Advanced to search files other than drivers and to enable logging.

Notes

Windows automatically checks every driver installed through traditional channels (such as the Add Hardware Wizard) for a digital signature. If one is found, it is displayed; if no such signature is found, a warning message is shown instead.