GEARAspiWDM.sys incompatible drivers

Archive
1

I have a new laptop that has been running fine, no issues with Windows 11 Pro.

I didn't install anything new on my laptop except for the most recent Windows Update.

Something must have changed in this Windows update around the end of September 2022 because I'm seeing many people complaining about very similar problems that I am also having, and I don't see any real solution being offered.

The first clue was a Yellow Triangle with an explanation mark warning over the "Window's Security Icon".

When I clicked on it, I see the same warning symbol on "Memory Integrity is off" "Your device may be vulnerable"!

If I try to turn it on, it scans, comes back with the same error and turns it back off again.

Then I clicked on "Review Incompatible drivers".

The next window is complaining about the following incompatible driver.

GEARAspiWDM.sys

By

GEAR Software Inc.

If I click on "Learn how to resolve problems with incompatible drivers", it recommends making sure you have the most current Windows Update installed (I Do, problem is still there)

Next it recommends getting updated drivers from the manufacture.

So I go to the GEAR Software website and the most recent driver update they have available is

Version 4.021.1 from April 9th, 2014 and in the Notes it states it's for Windows 8.1 compatible!!

THIS IS THE NEWEST ONE??

GEAR SOFTWARE's WEBSITE OFFERS NO SUPPORT!!!

 

They are point the finger at both Apple and Norton for support.

Why all the sudden is the Windows update stating this driver is an issue?

It wasn't reporting this before!

If I click on the "Info for GEAR Powered Product Users, it shows Examples of GEAR Powered Products.

Apple's iTunes for Windows (Mine is current).

Symantec Backup Products (I have Norton 360 but this driver wasn't a problem prior to the last Windows update).

 

SO WHERE CAN I FIND A NEWER GEARAspiWDM.sys DRIVER FOR WINDOWS !!?

I've seen replies that state how to remove it, but nothing on how to update it.

PLEASE HELP!

I would really like to turn "Memory Integrity" back on without causing other issues and the preferred way to turn it back on is with updated drivers.

 

2

Hi jamesbtex:

What is the location and version number of the GEARAspiWDM.sys driver on your system?  I currently have 64-bit iTunes v12.12.5.8 on my Win 10 v21H2 laptop (and don't use Norton as my AV) and I can't find that file in C:\Program Files\iTunes, C:\Windows\system32 or C:\Windows\SysWOW64\, so I'm not sure if that file is even included with newer versions of iTunes.  Prior to 2016 my older versions of iTunes used to include the QuickTime Player so perhaps references to iTunes including GEARAspiWDM.sys are out-of-date

I found an Oct 2021 thread iTunes Breaks Mounting of ISOs in the ElevenForum, and there is link in that thread to an article called GearAspiWDM.sys: How to Fix, Download, and Update that states that GearAspiWDM.sys first appeared in Norton Security Premium v22.6.0.142 in the C:\Program Files (x86)\Norton Security with Backup\Engine\... folder back in April 2016.  I'm not recommending you download the Win 10-compatible 64-bit GearAspiWDM.sys file (v2.02.05.00, file date 31-Oct-2019) offered in that article but at least this tells you that updates for this driver have been released since 2014.

Someone who uses Norton 360 would have to tell you if the latest Norton 360 v22.22.9.11 products still include this GEARAspiWDM.sys driver (and if so, what version they have) or if your driver is a remnant of an old Norton installation.  If it's an old remnant it's possible a clean reinstall of your Norton product using the Norton Remove and Reinstall (NRnR) tool in advanced "Remove Only" mode as instructed in the Norton support article Download and Run the Norton Remove and Reinstall Tool for Windows could fix your problem. Note the warning in that NRnR tool support article if you have Norton Family or other Norton products installed.
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Dell Inspiron 5584 * 64-bit Win 10 Pro v21H2 build 19044.2006 * Firefox v105.0.3 * Microsoft Defender v4.18.2207.7-1.1.19700.3 * Malwarebytes Premium v4.5.15.215-1.0.1784 * Macrium Reflect Free v8.0.6979 * 64-bit iTunes v12.12.5.8

3

I may not be much help to you but from everything you have said in your post and what little I just read about Gear Software I would say your problem is Gear Software which does not support Windows 11.

If the drivers they have available are that old I would consider it end-of-life.

I would just uninstall the software and move on.