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

  • it's telling me one or more devices are presently installed using the specified INF.
    deleted all WD software... any fix for this?
    Thanks!

  • I tried to use the above fix to remove wdcsam64.sys, but got this message. Any suggestions? I didn't attempt to change the path. Should I?
    Failed to delete driver package: The system cannot find the path specified.
    PS C:\Users\gjmcc>
    Thanks

    • Hi, I like to know how the fix this issue, mine is caused by oem28.inf associated with wdcsam64.sys . Do you got any sensible suggestions or solutions?
      Thank in advance.

      • Henry, it should work for your oem28.inf associated with wdcsam64.sys. It doesn't matter which oem number it is assigned to. Mine is oem84.inf (driver date is 10/8/2015 and install date is 3/1/2021 version 1.1.0.0) I had no problem.

  • Brilliant! That pesky driver pops up more than it should, even when using certain brands of pen drive/memory stick. Previously, I had to reinstall Windows 11 to be rid of it. Now it can be removed in seconds.

  • OH THANK YOU! I am screaming it from the top of my lungs. That incompatible message was driving me nuts. Thanks so much for the correct way to fix the problem. Please have a great day!

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Published by
Ian Matthews
2 years ago

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