Categories: Windows 11 & Windows 10Windows Server

SOLVED: Core Isolation Memory Integrity Incompatible Drivers WDCSAM64_PREWIN8.SYS

If you are trying to tighten up your security by adding Virtualization-Based Security (aka VBS) to your Windows 11 you might find this error:

Core Isolation  Memory Integrity
Incompatible Drivers WDCSAM64_PREWIN8.SYS

Driver date: 11/29/2017
Driver version: 1.2.0.0

Published name: oem26.inf

This is an old driver that ships with both Windows 10 and Windows 11 and very few people need it.  In fact we have never run into a situation of any machine using WDCSAM64_PREWIN8.SYS .

Fortunately, it is very easy to remove:

  1. RIGHT click on the START button and select WINDOWS TERMINAL (ADMIN)
    • If you are on Windows 10, select POWERSHELL (ADMIN)
  2. You can then list all of the drivers on your computer using pnputil /enum-drivers and find the one with WDCSAM64_PREWIN8.SYS or you can just look at the error message.  In my case the driver that needs to go is OEM26.INF
  3. Uninstall the driver using pnputil /delete-driver oem<XX>.inf

You do NOT need a reboot so you can immediately retry to enable CORE ISOLATION and you should see a prompt to reboot once Core Isolation > Memory Integrity is turned ON.

View Comments

  • Ich habe den Fehler oem25. Inf

    Ich versuche es zu löschen es geht nicht da es verwendet wird. Ich habe einen HP Laptop.

    Pnputil /delete-driver oem25. Inf /force habe ich auch probiert, geht nicht.

  • Thank you so much for the info. It's my first-time diving deep in the system. Although I was a little panicked, instructions were easy to follow. Help me solved the issue!!!

  • This did not work for me.
    Published Name: oem37.inf
    Original Name: wdcsam.inf
    Provider Name: Western Digital Technologies
    Class Name: WDC_SAM
    --
    PS C:\windows\system32\drivers> pnputil /delete-driver oem37.inf
    Microsoft PnP Utility

    Failed to delete driver package: One or more devices are presently installed using the specified INF.
    PS C:\windows\system32\drivers>

    I do have 2 external WD drives. A My passport and a My Book.

    Core isolation / Memory integrity remains OFF

    • I had this problem. I had to install PowerShell from Windows Store. Then I went to START, searched for "PowerShell" and right clicked on it. I the drop-down list I selected "Run as Administrator" and followed the instructions given by URTech. I was able to delete the driver.

    • I have this problem too even though I have no WD drives attached. Device Manager does not show any WD devices either.

  • This worked for me. I did login as Administrator and followed the commands as shown in the example. My driver number was oem19.inf which I entered instead of the oem26.inf in the example. Problem solved...thank you!!

  • In my case it's says error deleting: "access denied". Can someone help?
    I tried all your instructions on PowerShell, even with command /force it says access denied.
    Thanks a lot!

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Published by
Ian Matthews
3 years ago

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