Last updated: June 2025 – Verified on Windows 11 23H2 and Windows 10 22H2.
By following this guide, you’ll not only resolve the error but also understand how Windows kernel drivers behave—empowering you to handle similar issues with other network tools in the future. Drop a comment describing your Windows version, security software, and the specific app triggering the error. Communities on GitHub (basil00/Divert) and Reddit (r/networking) are extremely active and can help debug rare cases. Last updated: June 2025 – Verified on Windows
and run:
pnputil /delete-driver oem42.inf /uninstall /force Repeat for any other WinDivert entries. Then restart and reinstall. Some network filter drivers conflict with WinDivert. List all NDIS filters: Some network filter drivers conflict with WinDivert
pnputil /enum-drivers | findstr "WinDivert" Note the Published Name (e.g., oem42.inf ). Then delete: prevents network redirection
If you’ve ever tried using a network monitoring tool (like NetBalancer , mitmproxy , Proxifier , Charles Proxy , or Windscribe VPN ), you may have encountered the frustrating error: "WinDivert driver cannot be installed. You must restart your computer." This message typically appears mid-installation or when launching an application that relies on the WinDivert packet capture library. The error halts your workflow, prevents network redirection, and leaves you confused—especially after you’ve already rebooted once (or twice).