What is this missing Winring driver?

Morph000 · Nov 1, 2025

Looking through event logs with a view to fixing as much as possible I found a recurring error.

Autoruns listing:

This pbring0.sys doesn't exist, and looking through my oldest Reflect backup it's not there either.
So is Winring0_1_2_0 an essential core Windows service that needs to be there, can I delete it, or is there a ptbring0.sys file out there?

dacrone · Nov 1, 2025

It enables low-level hardware access in Windows, which is crucial for apps like MSI Afterburner, FanControl, OpenRGB, and other system monitoring or overclocking tools.

This driver allows these apps to bypass some OS restrictions to read hardware sensors or control fan speeds.

also says it could be flagged/quarantined by defender.

garlin · Nov 1, 2025

WinRing is a class of filter drivers which allow 3rd-party apps access to privileged kernel data. Sometimes they're bundled by CPU tweaking or performance monitoring apps. And sometimes they're abused by malware because of known security holes.

Defender will tend to block them on principle, since they open the system to possible hacking if malware finds WinRing drivers installed.

Morph000 · Nov 1, 2025

I'm aware of the 3rd party take. My question is can I delete or disable it safely without risking a crash because I disabled a core Windows CPU service.

ie is Winring0_1_2_0 a running service on your system and if so does it have any associated driver file. Does your system have the pbring0.sys file?

zbook · Nov 1, 2025

What problems are you having with the computer?

garlin · Nov 1, 2025

I don't have this particular app. But it's not a core Windows service, meaning Windows itself will run without it.

If you really need the app that bundled this driver, add the blocked ptbring0.sys driver to Defender's exclusion list.
Microsoft Defender Antivirus alert - VulnerableDriver:WinNT/Winring0

zbook · Nov 1, 2025

This software can be uninstalled if you want to remove the service / driver:

The process known as WinRing0 belongs to software Noriyuki MIYAZAKI by OpenLibSys.org.

ptbring0.sys Windows process - What is it?

Windows 10/11/7 doesn't need ptbring0.sys. Click here to know if ptbring0 is safe and how to avoid ptbring0.sys errors.

www.file.net

Morph000 · Nov 4, 2025

Can't uninstall software unless one knows what the software is. The ptbring0.sys seems to be orphaned.
Maybe some HW monitoring package I once installed then uninstalled...
All I need is for someone to see if the winring service exists and if not I can safely delete it.

Check the registry:

Or if you actually have the ptbring0.sys file, that'd do too!

garlin · Nov 4, 2025

Google search on "PTBSync" points to some audio package.

dacrone · Nov 4, 2025

PTBSync is a multifunction desktop organizer developed by ElmüSoft

KevTech · Nov 4, 2025

zbook said:
The process known as WinRing0 belongs to software Noriyuki MIYAZAKI

Also used by OCCT.

Winring banned by Microsoft: we act to keep your software alive!

Even if for a few days, Winring, an old driver powering many useful community tools, was banned by Microsoft. We are stepping up to keep your software running!

www.ocbase.com

pseymour · Nov 5, 2025

Had a slight chuckle there. Noriyuki is a person, not a piece of software. You may have heard of some of his other projects.

Microsoft Most Valuable Professionals

The Microsoft MVP Program connects technical community leaders with Microsoft to promote engagement, advocacy, and knowledge sharing on Microsoft Products & Services.

mvp.microsoft.com

hiyohiyo - Overview

Microsoft MVP (2014/1-). hiyohiyo has 13 repositories available. Follow their code on GitHub.

github.com

garlin · Nov 5, 2025

Noriyuki Miyazaki gets specifically called out in the MS blocklist for SysInfo and OpenLibSys.sys.

But there's plenty of other WinRing variants from other folks.

iflywinring0x64.sys

winring0.sys

winring0_1_2_2.sys

winring0a64.sys

winring0x64.sys

Morph000 · Nov 8, 2025

I always do a thorough search before posting.

Search results were inconclusive as is so often the case.
All I want at this point is for someone to check the drivers section in the registry as above and see if that key exists, so I can be confident in disabling it, to avoid my next post being "hey! I disabled this key and now my pc won't boot!"

XxXxX · Nov 8, 2025

i would disable the service
restart the system

if there are any problems then restart into safe mode and re-enable that service

if all goes well, which it should, then use Driver Store Explorer to delete that driver
after backing up your driver store which can be done in Driver Store Explorer

please take note.
Driver Store Explorer is a very powerful tool and can, if used incorrectly, mess your system up
so please take care when using it and ensure your driver folder is backed up first.

GitHub - lostindark/DriverStoreExplorer: Driver Store Explorer

Driver Store Explorer. Contribute to lostindark/DriverStoreExplorer development by creating an account on GitHub.

github.com

best of luck Steve ..

Morph000 · Nov 8, 2025

Took appropriate precautions then disabled it and rebooted. No problems so far...

What is this missing Winring driver?

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