Download and Repair Hwpolicy.sys Issues

Last Updated: 11/26/2023
[Time to Read Article: 5 minutes]

Hardware Policy Driver files such as hwpolicy.sys utilize the SYS file extension. This file is considered a Win32 DLL (Dynamic link library) file, and was first created by Microsoft for the Microsoft® Windows® Operating System software package.

The first release of hwpolicy.sys for the Windows 7 platform was on 07/22/2009 for Windows 7. The latest file update released for Windows 10 was on 07/29/2015 [file version 10.0.15063.0 (WinBuild.160101.0800)]. hwpolicy.sys is included in Windows 10, Windows 8.1, and Windows 8.

In this short article, you will discover detailed file information, steps for troubleshooting SYS file problems with hwpolicy.sys, and list of free downloads for every version that exists in our comprehensive file directory.

File Analysis Provided by Jason Geater (Author)

File Overview

General Information ^✻
File Name:	hwpolicy.sys
File Extension:	SYS file extension
Description:	Hardware Policy Driver
Object File Type:	Dynamic link library
File Operating System:	Windows NT 32-bit
MIME Type:	application/octet-stream
User Popularity Rating:

Developer and Software Information
Software Developer:	Microsoft Corporation
Software Program:	Microsoft® Windows® Operating System
Legal Copyright:	© Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

File Details
Character Set:	Unicode
Language Code:	English (U.S.)
File Flags:	(none)
File Flags Mask:	0x003f
Entry Point:	0x6000
Code Size:	1536

View Other hwpolicy.sys Information

File Info	Description
File Size:	27 kB
File Modification Date/Time:	2017:03:18 18:18:56+00:00
File Inode Change Date/Time:	2017:11:05 07:07:54+00:00
File Type:	Win32 DLL
MIME Type:	application/octet-stream
Warning:	Possibly corrupt Version resource
Machine Type:	Intel 386 or later, and compatibles
Time Stamp:	2050:08:14 04:09:48+00:00
PE Type:	PE32
Linker Version:	14.10
Code Size:	1536
Initialized Data Size:	16384
Uninitialized Data Size:	0
Entry Point:	0x6000
OS Version:	10.0
Image Version:	10.0
Subsystem Version:	10.0
Subsystem:	Native
File Version Number:	10.0.15063.0
Product Version Number:	10.0.15063.0
File Flags Mask:	0x003f
File Flags:	(none)
File OS:	Windows NT 32-bit
Object File Type:	Dynamic link library
File Subtype:	0
Language Code:	English (U.S.)
Character Set:	Unicode
Company Name:	Microsoft Corporation
File Description:	Hardware Policy Driver
File Version:	10.0.15063.0 (WinBuild.160101.0800)
Internal Name:	hwpolicy.sys
Legal Copyright:	© Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.
Original Filename:	hwpolicy.sys
Product Name:	Microsoft® Windows® Operating System
Product Version:	10.0.15063.0

^✻ Portions of file data provided by Exiftool (Phil Harvey) distributed under the Perl Artistic License.

Optional Offer for WinThruster by Solvusoft | EULA | Privacy Policy | Terms | Uninstall

What are hwpolicy.sys Error Messages?

hwpolicy.sys Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) Errors

There are a number of reasons why you could be encountering issues with hwpolicy.sys. Most of the issues concerning sys files involve Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) errors. These types of hwpolicy.sys errors can be cause by hardware problems, outdated firmware, corrupt drivers, or other software-related (eg. Windows update) issues. Some of these errors include:

hwpolicy.sys could not be found.
hwpolicy.sys failed to load.
The file hwpolicy.sys is missing or corrupt.
Windows failed to start - hwpolicy.sys.

A problem has been detected and Windows has been shut down to prevent damage to your computer. The problem seems to be caused by the following file: hwpolicy.sys.

:( Your PC ran into a problem that it couldn't handle, and now needs to restart. You can search for the error online: [BSOD] (hwpolicy.sys).

STOP 0x0000000A: IRQL NOT LESS EQUAL (hwpolicy.sys) STOP 0x0000007E: SYSTEM THREAD EXCEPTION NOT HANDLED (hwpolicy.sys) STOP 0×0000007A: KERNEL DATA INPAGE (hwpolicy.sys) STOP 0x0000003B: SYSTEM SERVICE EXCEPTION (hwpolicy.sys) STOP 0x0000001E: KMODE EXCEPTION NOT HANDLED (hwpolicy.sys) STOP 0x00000050: PAGE FAULT IN A NONPAGED AREA (hwpolicy.sys)

It's Critical to Resolve Blue Screen of Death Errors

In the majority of cases, you will encounter hwpolicy.sys BSOD errors after you've installed new hardware, software (Windows), or performed a failed Windows Update. In other cases, software corruption caused by a malware infection can lead to hwpolicy.sys Blue Screen of Death errors. Therefore, it's critical to make sure your anti-virus is kept up-to-date and scanning regularly.

GEEK TIP : As a rule of thumb, it's always a good idea to create a Windows "Snapshot" backup / System Restore Point before making any hardware or software changes to your computer. That way, it's very easy to restore your system in the unfortunate event you encounter a hwpolicy.sys Blue Screen of Death error after recent changes.

Optional Offer for WinThruster by Solvusoft | EULA | Privacy Policy | Terms | Uninstall

How to Fix hwpolicy.sys Errors in 3 Steps (Time to complete: ~5-15 minutes)

If you're encountering one of the error messages above, follow these troubleshooting steps to resolve your hwpolicy.sys issue. These troubleshooting steps are listed in the recommended order of execution.

Step 1: Restore your PC back to the latest restore point, "snapshot", or backup image before error occurred.

To begin System Restore (Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, and 10):

Hit the Windows Start button
When you see the search box, type "System Restore" and press "ENTER".
In the search results, find and click System Restore.
Please enter the administrator password (if applicable / prompted).
Follow the steps in the System Restore Wizard to choose a relevant restore point.
Restore your computer to that backup image.

If the Step 1 fails to resolve the hwpolicy.sys error, please proceed to the Step 2 below.

Step 2: Run SFC (System File Checker) to restore the corrupt or missing hwpolicy.sys file.

System File Checker is a utility included with every Windows version that allows you scan and restore corrupted system files. Use the SFC tool to fix missing or corrupt hwpolicy.sys files (Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, and 10):

Hit the Windows Start button
In the search box, type "cmd" but DO NOT PRESS "ENTER".
Press and hold "CTRL-Shift" on your keyboard while pressing "ENTER".
You'll be prompted with a permission dialog box.
In the box, click "YES".
You should have a black screen with a blinking cursor.
In that black screen, type "sfc /scannow" and hit "ENTER".
SFC will begin scanning for hwpolicy.sys issues and any other system file problems.
Follow any on-screen commands to complete the process.

Please be aware that this scan might take a while, so please be patient while it is working.

If this Step 2 fails as well, please proceed to the Step 3 below.

sfc /scannow

Step 3: Perform a Windows Update.

When the first two steps haven't solved your issue, it might be a good idea to run Windows Update. Many hwpolicy.sys error messages that are encountered can be contributed to an outdated Windows Operating System. To run Windows Update, please follow these easy steps:

Hit the Windows Start button
In the search box, type "Update" and press "ENTER".
In the Windows Update dialog box, click "Check for Updates" (or similar button depending on your Windows version)
If updates are available for download, click "Install Updates".
After the update is completed, restart your PC.

If Windows Update failed to resolve the hwpolicy.sys error message, please proceed to next step. Please note that this final step is recommended for advanced PC users only.

Optional Offer for WinThruster by Solvusoft | EULA | Privacy Policy | Terms | Uninstall

If Those Steps Fail: Download and Replace Your hwpolicy.sys File (Caution: Advanced)

If none of the previous three troubleshooting steps have resolved your issue, you can try a more aggressive approach (Note: Not recommended for amateur PC users) by downloading and replacing your appropriate hwpolicy.sys file version. We maintain a comprehensive database of 100% malware-free hwpolicy.sys files for every applicable version of Windows. Please follow the steps below to download and properly replace you file:

Locate your Windows operating system version in the list of below "Download hwpolicy.sys Files".
Click the appropriate "Download Now" button and download your Windows file version.
Copy the file into the appropriate directory for your Windows version:

Windows 7: C:\Windows\System32\drivers\
Windows 8: C:\Windows\System32\drivers\
Windows 8.1: C:\Windows\System32\drivers\
Windows 10: C:\Windows\System32\drivers\

Restart your computer.

If this final step has failed and you're still encountering the error, you're only remaining option is to do a clean installation of Windows 10.

GEEK TIP : We must emphasize that reinstalling Windows will be a very time-consuming and advanced task to resolve hwpolicy.sys problems. To avoid data loss, you must be sure that you have backed-up all of your important documents, pictures, software installers, and other personal data before beginning the process. If you are not currently backing up your data, you need to do so immediately.

Optional Offer for WinThruster by Solvusoft | EULA | Privacy Policy | Terms | Uninstall

Download hwpolicy.sys Files (Malware-Tested 100% Clean)

CAUTION : We strongly advise against downloading and copying hwpolicy.sys to your appropriate Windows system directory. Microsoft typically does not release Windows SYS files for download because they are bundled together inside of a software installer. The installer's task is to ensure that all correct verifications have been made before installing and placing hwpolicy.sys and all other SYS files for Windows. An incorrectly installed SYS file may create system instability and could cause your program or operating system to stop functioning altogether. Proceed with caution.

Windows 10

File Name

Software Version

File Version

Architecture

hwpolicy.sys

10.0.15063.0

10.0.15063.0 (WinBuild.160101.0800)

64-bit (x64)

Expand for Detailed File Information +

OS Version:	Windows 10
Software:	Microsoft® Windows® Operating System
Software Version:	10.0.15063.0
File Version:	10.0.15063.0 (WinBuild.160101.0800)
File Size:	27552
File Date:	03/18/2017
MD5 Checksum:	9f9abc9555d7e934b162d128766ba7d4
SHA1 Checksum:	be929a0cd6e26708fbb9eb56fb8c13c32a51a56f
SHA256 Checksum:	d1e3e7d69a0a3d68179ae6d704b39365882e2629bfad3d9ed230e1b93f4f6a8c
CRC32:
File Directory Location:	C:\Windows\System32\drivers\

File Version, System, and Machine Information
File Type:	Win32 DLL
Image Version:	10.0
Initialized Data Size:	16384
Linker Version:	14.10
Machine Type:	Intel 386 or later, and compatibles
PE Type:	PE32
Subsystem:	Native
Subsystem Version:	10.0
File Modification Date/Time:	03/18/2017

Windows 8.1

File Name

Software Version

File Version

Architecture

hwpolicy.sys

6.3.9600.16384

6.3.9600.16384 (winblue_rtm.130821-1623)

64-bit (x64)

Expand for Detailed File Information +

OS Version:	Windows 8.1
Software:	Microsoft® Windows® Operating System
Software Version:	6.3.9600.16384
File Version:	6.3.9600.16384 (winblue_rtm.130821-1623)
File Size:	23904
File Date:	08/22/2013
MD5 Checksum:	faeb94f3accdfda16e5fa585369fdec4
SHA1 Checksum:	3db54f3aa099bf61d245e38568456dedbb2e5e55
SHA256 Checksum:	12a41592eec9ceb5c8c10aaf2c09e7262e2ac28b615d181f9bcca0dec12648f3
CRC32:
File Directory Location:	C:\Windows\System32\drivers\

File Version, System, and Machine Information
File Type:	Win32 DLL
Image Version:	6.3
Initialized Data Size:	12800
Linker Version:	11.0
Machine Type:	Intel 386 or later, and compatibles
PE Type:	PE32
Subsystem:	Native
Subsystem Version:	6.3
File Modification Date/Time:	08/22/2013

Windows 8

File Name

Software Version

File Version

Architecture

hwpolicy.sys

6.2.9200.16384

6.2.9200.16384 (win8_rtm.120725-1247)

64-bit (x64)

Expand for Detailed File Information +

OS Version:	Windows 8
Software:	Microsoft® Windows® Operating System
Software Version:	6.2.9200.16384
File Version:	6.2.9200.16384 (win8_rtm.120725-1247)
File Size:	24304
File Date:	07/26/2012
MD5 Checksum:	4a3e6732e5bef6df531a217b5ebb5c54
SHA1 Checksum:	509e9cc443886b296632eed79ba98b8da9d4baf9
SHA256 Checksum:	ba259c5f3d1fa4b16db709f6d417f2998751c9983f73712c4f62e50cf661e788
CRC32:
File Directory Location:	C:\Windows\System32\drivers\

File Version, System, and Machine Information
File Type:	Win32 DLL
Image Version:	6.2
Initialized Data Size:	13312
Linker Version:	10.10
Machine Type:	Intel 386 or later, and compatibles
PE Type:	PE32
Subsystem:	Native
Subsystem Version:	6.2
File Modification Date/Time:	07/26/2012

Windows 7

File Name

Software Version

File Version

Architecture

hwpolicy.sys

6.1.7601.17514

6.1.7601.17514 (win7sp1_rtm.101119-1850)

64-bit (x64)

Expand for Detailed File Information +

OS Version:	Windows 7
Software:	Microsoft® Windows® Operating System
Software Version:	6.1.7601.17514
File Version:	6.1.7601.17514 (win7sp1_rtm.101119-1850)
File Size:	14720
File Date:	11/21/2010
MD5 Checksum:	a5462bd6884960c9dc85ed49d34ff392
SHA1 Checksum:	715be4c51634d82d4b6d08bcfa166f27ed6597d7
SHA256 Checksum:	53e65841af5b06a2844d0bb6fc4dd3923a323ffa0e4bfc89b3b5cafb592a3d53
CRC32:
File Directory Location:	C:\Windows\System32\drivers\

File Version, System, and Machine Information
File Type:	Win64 DLL
Image Version:	6.1
Initialized Data Size:	5120
Linker Version:	9.0
Machine Type:	AMD AMD64
PE Type:	PE32+
Subsystem:	Native
Subsystem Version:	6.1
File Modification Date/Time:	11/21/2010

Optional Offer for WinThruster by Solvusoft | EULA | Privacy Policy | Terms | Uninstall

Files Related to hwpolicy.sys

SYS Files Related to hwpolicy.sys

File Name	Description	Software Program (Version)	File Size (bytes)	File Location
exfat.sys	Microsoft Extended FAT File System	Microsoft® Windows® Operating System (6.3.9600.16384)	164864	C:\Windows\Panther\UnattendGC\
MODEMCSA.sys	Unimodem CSA Filter	Microsoft® Windows® Operating System (10.0.15063.0)	18944	C:\Windows\Fonts\
usbuhci.sys	UHCI USB Miniport Driver	Microsoft® Windows® Operating System (6.1.7600.16385)	30720	C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Games\Microsof...
tunnel.sys	Microsoft Tunnel Interface Driver	Microsoft® Windows® Operating System (6.3.9600.16384)	123392	C:\Windows\Logs\DPX\
atlmc.sys	ATL 452 and 7100 Series Libraries	Microsoft® Windows® Operating System (10.0.15063.0)	10752	C:\Windows\Boot\PCAT\de-DE\

Other Files Related to hwpolicy.sys

File Name	Description	Software Program (Version)	File Size (bytes)	File Location
WLANAP_profile_v1.xsd	XML Schema Definition	Windows 8	7504	C:\Windows\L2Schemas\
WLANAP_profile_v1.xsd	XML Schema Definition	Windows 8.1	7548	C:\Windows\L2Schemas\
WLAN_profile_v1.xsd	XML Schema Definition	Windows 8	15591	C:\Windows\L2Schemas\
WLAN_profile_v1.xsd	XML Schema Definition	Windows 10	18585	C:\Windows\L2Schemas\
LAN_policy_v1.xsd	XML Schema Definition	Windows XP	2687	C:\Windows\L2Schemas\

Optional Offer for WinThruster by Solvusoft | EULA | Privacy Policy | Terms | Uninstall

Browse Other File Extensions in Alphabetical Order : # A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

You are downloading trial software. The purchase of a one-year software subscription at the price of $29.97 USD is required to unlock all software features. Subscription auto-renews at the end of the term (Learn more). By clicking the "Start Download" button above and installing "Software", I acknowledge I have read and agree to the Solvusoft End User License Agreement and Privacy Policy.