Test-signing refers to using a test certificate to sign a prerelease version of a driver package for use on test computers. In particular, this allows developers to sign kernel-mode binaries by using self-signed certificates, such as those the MakeCert tool generates. Starting with Windows Vista, this capability allows developers to test kernel-mode binaries on Windows with driver signature verification enabled.

Important  Starting with Windows Vista, test-signed kernel-mode drivers are supported on Windows Vista only for testing purposes. They must not be used for production purposes or released to customers.

This section contains the following topics which will describe the test-signing process in more detail: