Driver Verifier Extension (VerifierExt) Service Defaults in Windows 11

Driver Verifier component to help find bugs in device drivers.

Default Settings

Startup type: Manual
Display name:Driver Verifier Extension
Service name:VerifierExt
Service type:kernel
Error control:normal
Group:WdfLoadGroup
Path:%SystemRoot%\System32\drivers\VerifierExt.sys
Registry key:HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\VerifierExt

Default Behavior

Driver Verifier Extension is a kernel driver. In Windows 11 it starts only if the user, an application or another service starts it. If Driver Verifier Extension fails to start, the failure details will be recorded into Event Log. Then Windows 11 should boot up and notify the user about the VerifierExt service startup failure.

Restore Default Startup Configuration of Driver Verifier Extension

1. Run the Command Prompt as an administrator.

2. Copy the command below, paste it into the command window and press ENTER:

sc config VerifierExt start= demand

3. Close the command window and restart the computer.

The VerifierExt service is using the VerifierExt.sys file that is located in the C:\Windows\System32\drivers directory. If the file is removed or corrupted, read this article to restore its original version from Windows 11 installation media.