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

  • Thank you for the step by step instructions. After being frustrated by an inability to delete the offending file from the File Repository due to permissions issues, this did the trick.

  • Okay, attempted this and received the following response - Failed to delete driver package: One or more devices are presently installed using the specified INF. Thank you

  • Ugh, attempted this and got this - Failed to delete driver package: One or more devices are presently installed using the specified INF. Thank you in advance for the assistance.

  • I used Device Manager. Then I clicked on View devices by driver name. Once I located my errant incompatible driver (use published name), I right clicked on it. Then checked off Remove driver and Force remove. It worked for me.

    • Thank You! M McBride gave a simple solution to this incompatible driver issue. The super geeky results were all so confusing, but your solution was simple! No need to go to the black screens or the 'shell' at all. I definitely appreciate you posting your simple solution!

  • ERROR: "Failed to delete driver package: One of more devices are presently installed using the specified INF." Not very helpful error message.

  • I actually have Western Digital hardware actively using the oem30.inf that is preventing me from turning on memory integrity.
    The offending hardware is the 3TB WD drive I use for older games that don't benefit from using SSD drives.

    C: 1TB SSD (System)
    D: 1TB SSD (Games)
    E: 3TB HD (Games)

    The drivers are up to date, so I am left with the annoying security notification in my systray.

    Seems a real shame to outlay cash to replace a piece of perfectly serviceable tech...

    • Me too. But I fixed it. Go to your Device Manager window. In title bar, click on View and select View by driver. Find oem30.inf and right click on it. Then check off Remove and Force remove. It worked for me on Windows 11. Now I am able to turn on Memory Integrity etc.

      • This was simple and it worked! No need to bust into the powershell and all that. Just follow M McBride's simple and direct solution! It works! Thank you!

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Published by
Ian Matthews
3 years ago

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