The error "Could not start driver" appears when one of the following conditions is met:
Modern Windows environments utilize Virtualization-Based Security (VBS) to prevent unsigned code from executing in the kernel. If your organization enforces strict code integrity policies, older versions of Exterro/AccessData FTK Imager drivers may be blocked natively. Open the Windows Start menu and type . Navigate to Device security in the left navigation pane.
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cd "C:\Program Files\AccessData\FTK Imager" sc create FTKImager type= kernel start= demand binPath= "C:\Program Files\AccessData\FTK Imager\ftkimager64.sys" sc start FTKImager
If running as admin fails, Windows may be blocking the driver because it lacks a proper signature (especially on older FTK Imager versions). The error "Could not start driver" appears when
Follow these steps in order, as each one builds on the last to rule out the most common causes.
| Step | Action | |------|--------| | ✅ | Run as Admin | | ✅ | Enable Test Mode ( bcdedit /set testsigning on ) | | ✅ | Disable Secure Boot in BIOS | | ✅ | Disable antivirus temporarily | | ✅ | Manually install driver via sc create | Navigate to Device security in the left navigation pane
This is the single most common fix and should be your first step.
The "FTK Imager could not start driver" error can be frustrating and hinder digital forensic investigations. By understanding the possible causes and solutions outlined in this report, users can troubleshoot and potentially resolve the issue. If the problem persists, it may be necessary to seek additional support from FTK Imager's support team or engage with the digital forensics community for further assistance.
. This is most common during memory captures or physical drive imaging. Primary Solutions Run as Administrator : Right-click the FTK Imager executable and select Run as Administrator