hfiref0x/UPGDSED
FreeUniversal PatchGuard and Driver Signature Enforcement Disable
FreeFree tier
About hfiref0x/UPGDSED
UPGDSED (Universal PatchGuard and Driver Signature Enforcement Disable) is an open-source x64 Windows tool that disables Kernel Patch Protection (PatchGuard) and Driver Signature Enforcement (DSE). It supports Windows 7 SP1, 8, 8.1, and 10 (TH1/TH2/RS1/RS2/RS3). The tool requires administrative privileges and SecureBoot must be disabled for EFI boot. It is provided as a single executable (patch.exe) with full C source code (MIT license) and is designed for kernel debugging, driver development, and security research. The project was deprecated in 2018 and is no longer maintained, but remains available for historical reference.
Key Features
Disables Kernel Patch Protection (PatchGuard) on x64 Windows
Disables Driver Signature Enforcement (DSE)
Supports Windows 7 SP1, 8, 8.1, 10 (TH1/TH2/RS1/RS2/RS3)
Full source code provided (C language, MIT license)
Requires administrative privileges
SecureBoot must be disabled for EFI boot
Comes with single executable patch.exe
Deprecated project (archived 2019, no further updates)
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Open source with MIT license allowing modification and redistribution
- Supports a wide range of Windows versions (7 to 10)
- Provides complete source code for customization and learning
- Includes detailed uninstall instructions and documentation
- Historical reference for understanding PatchGuard and DSE bypass methods
Cons
- Deprecated and no longer maintained (no future updates planned)
- Risky: can render the system unbootable if misused
- Requires administrative privileges and disabling SecureBoot
- Only supports x64 Windows (no x86 or ARM)
- Use entirely at own risk with no warranty
Best For
Bypassing PatchGuard for kernel debugging or driver developmentTesting unsigned drivers on x64 WindowsSecurity research and analysis of PatchGuard bypass techniquesLegacy system maintenance requiring kernel-level modifications
FAQ
What operating systems are supported?
UPGDSED supports x64 versions of Windows 7 SP1, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, and Windows 10 (TH1/TH2/RS1/RS2/RS3).
How do I install and run UPGDSED?
Run patch.exe as administrator (elevated command prompt). For EFI boot, SecureBoot must be disabled.
How do I uninstall UPGDSED?
In an elevated command prompt, run 'bcdedit /delete {patch guard disable entry id}', then navigate to Windows\System32 and delete ntkrnlmp.exe, osloader.exe (BIOS boot) or osloader.efi (EFI boot).
Is UPGDSED still maintained?
No, the project was deprecated in 2018 and archived in 2019. It is read-only and no further updates are planned.
What license is used?
The project is licensed under the MIT license.
What programming language is the source code written in?
The source code is written entirely in C.
Who created UPGDSED?
The tool was created by EP_X0FF (hfiref0x) and Fyyre, part of the UPGDSED Project (2017-2018).