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Symptoms

When you start your Windows 8-based or Windows 7-based computer, you receive the following message in the lower-right corner of the desktop, depending on your version of Windows.


Windows 8.1

Test mode Windows 8.1 build 9490


Windows 8

Test mode Windows 8 build 9200

Windows 7

Test mode Windows 7 build 7600Note This message may also mention a more specific edition of Windows. For example, the message may be, “Test mode Windows 8 Pro build 9200.”

Cause

This message is displayed because your computer is running in test mode. (For more information, go to the "More Information" section.)

Resolution

To fix this problem manually in Windows 8, follow these steps:

  1. Swipe in from the right, click or tap Search, and then type cmd. Alternatively, type cmd on the Start screen.

  2. Tap-and-hold or right-click Command Prompt in the search results. Select Run as administrator on the menu that appears at the bottom of the screen.

    Note If you are prompted by a User Account Control window, tap or click Yes.

  3. In the Command Prompt window, type the following command, and then press Enter:

    bcdedit -set TESTSIGNING OFF

  4. After you see the confirmation, close the Command Prompt window.

  5. Save any unsaved work, and then restart the computer.


To fix this problem manually in Windows 7, try these methods, in the given order.

Method 1

  1. Click Start, and then type cmd in the Search box.

  2. Under Programs, right-click cmd.exe, and then click Run as administrator.

  3. At the command prompt, type the following text, and then press Enter:

    bcdedit /set TESTSIGNING OFF

  4. Close the Command Prompt window, and then restart your computer.

Note If this method does not resolve the issue, go to Method 2.

Method 2

  1. Click Start, and then type cmd in the Search box.

  2. Under Programs, right-click cmd.exe, and then click Run as administrator.

  3. At the command prompt, type the following commands, and press Enter after each command:

    bcdedit.exe -set loadoptions ENABLE_INTEGRITY_CHECKS bcdedit.exe -set TESTSIGNING OFF

  4. Close the Command Prompt window, and then restart your computer.


More Information

The test mode message indicates that the test signing mode of the operating system is started on the computer. The test signing mode may start if an installed program is in a test phase because it uses drivers that are not digitally signed by Microsoft.

Microsoft added test mode to Windows so that users can test programs without having to provide an authentication certificate.

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