Driver Verifier monitors kernel-mode drivers and graphics drivers to detect illegal function calls or actions that might corrupt the system. It can subject the drivers to a variety of stresses and tests to find improper behavior.

Driver Verifier is included in Windows 2000 and later versions of Microsoft Windows. Driver Verifier works on both the free and checked builds.

The following sections explain the operation of Driver Verifier:

• Driver Verifier Options describes each of the actions of Driver Verifier in detail.
• Using Driver Verifier explains how to activate Driver Verifier, how to choose which options are active and which drivers will be verified, and how to monitor the behavior of drivers being verified.
• No Reboot: New for Windows Vista describes the new functionality that helps to eliminate disruptive reboots. With this functionality, you can use Driver Verifier on production servers that cannot afford to reboot. Additionally, you can monitor your driver while you attach and remove devices.

You can run Driver Verifier on multiple drivers simultaneously, or on one driver at a time. It can perform a variety of actions, and most of these can be optionally enabled or disabled. This allows you to put a driver through heavy stresses or through a more streamlined test.

Driver Verifier can verify any number of drivers. However, the Special Pool and I/O Verification options will be more effective when used on one driver at a time.

Note  On Windows Vista and later versions of Windows, Driver Verifier runs only with elevated privileges. For more information, see The Verifier Utility.