Operating system

For the implementation of TwinCAT 3 C++ modules on x64 platforms, the driver (*.sys file) must be signed with a certificate if it is to be loaded by the operating system.

The signature, which is automatically executed during the TwinCAT 3 build process, is used by 64-bit Windows operating systems for the authentication of the drivers.

A certificate is required to sign a driver. This Microsoft documentation describes the process and background knowledge for obtaining a test and release certificate that is accepted by 64-bit Windows operating systems.

To use such a certificate in TwinCAT 3, configure the step after compiling your x64 build target as documented in "Creating a test certificate for test mode".

Test certificates

For testing purposes, self-signed test certificates can be created and used without technical limitations.

The following tutorials describe how to enable this option.
To create drivers with real certificates for production machines, this option must be disabled.

• Creating a test certificate for test mode
• Delete (test) certificates

Further references:

MSDN, MakeCert test certificates (Windows drivers),
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-hardware/drivers/install/makecert-test-certificate