WIndows 11 Driver Security Question

Anonymous
2023-08-03T06:56:39+00:00

I’m usually a Mac user normally but have just bought a new Windows 11 Laptop for work and having a couple of teething issues.

I have an external CD drive that I’ve used with my Mac for ages, but it is compatible for both Windows and Mac. When I plug the drive into the Windows Laptop I get a pop up saying that the driver can’t be installed due to Microsoft Security, and on following the help it says that I need to turn off memory integrity in the core isolation section of security. If I do this the drive works.

The problem with this is that I don’t want the memory integrity off all the time and it’s a pain having to turn it off and on every time I use the CD drive, especially as it requires a restart. Is there a workaround anyone knows of? Can you set specific items to bypass the security settings?

The driver in question is GEARAspiWDM.sys, and a quick google tells me this is a driver that allows CD recording capabilities to iTunes.

I’ve looked at other CD drives and they’re all compatible with Mac and Windows so I’m guessing if I bought a new drive I’d run into the same issues?

Any help would be appreciated.

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Devices and drivers

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  1. DaveM121 933.1K Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2023-08-03T11:38:06+00:00

    It seems to be some legacy driver that was installed, I am glad your DVD drive is now working!

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  2. Anonymous
    2023-08-03T11:29:37+00:00

    Thank you for that information.

    I do not see any problem with the Memory Integrity setting in Windows security.

    Uninstall that GEAR item in Control Panel

    Then connect the DVD drive to your PC, ignore the error message, does the DVD drive actually work?

    OK so I've uninstalled the GEARA item, restarted the computer and the connected the CD drive which has worked and no error message, thanks very much for your help.

    Any idea what the GEARA driver is/was for?

    EDIT: I've found out where it's from, it's from the Mixmeister Software as I've just tried reinstalling that and it's installed teh GEARA driver again (which I've subsequently deleted)

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  3. DaveM121 933.1K Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2023-08-03T11:11:55+00:00

    Thank you for that information.

    I do not see any problem with the Memory Integrity setting in Windows security.

    Uninstall that GEAR item in Control Panel

    Then connect the DVD drive to your PC, ignore the error message, does the DVD drive actually work?

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  4. Anonymous
    2023-08-03T11:00:52+00:00

    Do not delete the Bonjour service, that is a required component.

    Please provide a screenshot of the GEARA installer

    Please provide a screenshot of the popup notification you see about that driver file.

    Here's the popup

    I don't know where to find the installer, but when I'm in the uninstall section of the control panel and click on it it brings up some info at the bottom

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  5. DaveM121 933.1K Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2023-08-03T10:07:05+00:00

    Do not delete the Bonjour service, that is a required component.

    Please provide a screenshot of the GEARA installer

    Please provide a screenshot of the popup notification you see about that driver file.

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