Windows 10: If I remove the wdcsam64_prewin8.sys driver from my computer, will I have to reinstall it...

On another question/post, in response to an answer, I saw that TiffanyMartschink asked a question that I also had, but it never got answered. I'm hoping that putting the question out again on its own might help... apologies for the wordy-nessSo, I think this came with the Windows 11 update, but one day, a couple of days after I updated my computer, Windows Security let me know that I should turn on Memory Integrity. However, there was an incompatible driver called wdcsam64_prewin8.sys that prevented me from turning on Memory Integrity. Naturally, I searched the internet to find out what the

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If I remove the wdcsam64_prewin8.sys driver from my computer, will I have to reinstall it every time I need to utilize a hard drive?

On another question/post, in response to an answer, I saw that TiffanyMartschink asked a question that I also had, but it never got answered. I'm hoping that putting the question out again on its own might help... (apologies for the wordy-ness)

So, I think this came with the Windows 11 update, but one day, a couple of days after I updated my computer, Windows Security let me know that I should turn on Memory Integrity. However, there was an incompatible driver called wdcsam64_prewin8.sys that prevented me from turning on Memory Integrity. Naturally, I searched the internet to find out what the driver was/what it did and how to fix the issue- practically every source told me that wdcsam64_prewin8.sys was unnecessary, and that I could delete it, but only if I didn't need it.

At this very moment in my life, I do not use any Western Digital external hard drives. However, what I am worried about deleting wdcsam64_prewin8.sys is that I might use a WD hard drive later in the future. If I do (ignoring the 'you can just use a different hard drive in the future' response), will I have to reinstall the deleted driver whenever I am trying to use the hard drive? I don't want to remove the driver, only to regret it later.

I appreciate any information regarding this, as well as any tips about the whole Memory Integrity thing in general. Thanks in advance to anyone who replies.

 

Core Isolation Memory Integrity fails to enable because of incompatible driver wdcsam64_prewin8.sys

I found this article and it solved two driver problems for me:

SOLVED: Core Isolation Memory Integrity Incompatible Drivers WDCSAM64_PREWIN8.SYS – Up & Running Technologies, Tech How To's

 

Memory Integrity Can't Be turned On Due To Incompatible Drivers - wdcsam64_prewin8.sys

Windows Security has alerted me to the fact that Memory Integrity is turned off. When I try to turn it back on, I get an error message telling me that it cannot be turned on due to an incompatible driver. Specifically, wdcsam64_prewin8.sys (Western Digital Technologies). That's the driver for my external hard drive.

As I understand it from reading threads of people experiencing a similar problem, the first step is to update the driver. I tried that using Device Manager, but Windows says: "The best driver for your device is already installed." I also tried to update the driver by accessing its hardware properties via Windows Explorer, however the option to update the driver was grayed out.

What should I try next?

As additional background, I've had this driver installed since October 2021 and it never previously caused any compatibility issues. I'm not sure why this issue is popping up now. Is it possible the driver simply became corrupted? If that's the case, is there a way for me to reinstall it?