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If you’re installing either the Windows 8.1 update or, like me, trying out the technical preview of Windows 10, you may run into an error whilst installing which says you need to uninstall the Sentinel Runtime drivers before you can proceed.

This isn’t something you’re likely to find in your Control Panel list of installed programs, as it’s a piece of licencing software which is embedded in other programs, such as the Lightworks editing suite. You can safely remove it, but beware that the program which used it might not work properly afterwards, so check that out before proceeding.

This is how I removed it from my system and was able to carry on:

  1. Download the “Sentinel HASP/LDK – Command Line Run-time Installer” from http://www.safenet-inc.com/sentineldownloads/
  2. Extract the ZIP file to a location on your hard drive.
  3. Run the purge command by running the following command (Win+R to bring up the Run dialog)
    C:\Users\Paul Freeman-Powell\Downloads\Sentinel_LDK_Run-time_cmd_line\Sentinel_LDK_Run-time_cmd_line\haspdinst.exe -purge

    (obviously substitute my name for your username!)

  4. If you’ve got UAC enabled, you’ll get a prompt – click Yes to allow.
  5. The (un)installer will run and do its stuff, after which you can delete the ZIP file and the extracted folder.
  6. No need to reboot – go back to your installation and it should continue just fine.
Paul Freeman-Powell

Paul (@paulfp) is the main presenter of the award-winning Switched On Network YouTube Channel, which covers a variety of interesting topics usually relating to his love of technology and all things geeky. He also founded and runs Innobella Media, where he leads in all aspects of video production, video editing, sound & lighting. A father of 3 children including twins, his hobbies used to include photography, playing the drums and cycling. With a degree in Modern European Languages, Paul speaks French, Spanish and a little bit of Italian, and holds dual British & Irish citizenship.

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Freelance Camera Operator, Videographer, Vision Mixer, Sound Engineer, Video/Audio Editor & Photographer