Driver certification on Windows

I'm developing a device driver for use on Windows. Does the driver have to be certified by Microso开发者_如何学Cft to install? Are there any pitfalls of which I should be aware?

This is for use on Windows XP, Windows Vista, and Windows 7.

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No, your driver does not have to be certified to install. However, if you are using 64-bit windows, it will need to be signed.

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You can bypass the signing requirement for development purposes as documented in Installing an Unsigned Driver during Development and Test (MSDN).