We are pleased to release R26 (version 31.137 update for Sandra 20/21 with updated support for current and future hardware.
Hardware Support
- Resolved detection issues with Intel’s 14th Gen Core RaptorLake-Refresh (e.g. 14700K(F))
- Resolved reporting issues with AMD’s Gen4 Ryzen (e.g. 7950X-3D)
Software Support
- Resolved detection issues with tiered Storage Pools (e.g. Windows’ Storage Spaces)
- Updated Official Ranker API for greater reliability
Windows Defender Core Isolation features and Sandra’s Kernel Driver
Sandra is compatible with most “Core Isolation” security features and you can have those enabled:
- Memory Integrity – Compatible, can enable
- Memory Access Protection – Compatible, can enable
- Microsoft Vulnerable Driver Blocklist – Kernel driver compatible
- Kernel-mode Hardware-enforced Stack Protection – Kernel driver not compatible, but software will still run with reduced functionality
“Kernel-mode Hardware-enforced Stack Protection” and Sandra’s Kernel Driver
When running Sandra on recent Windows 11 versions and hardware you may receive a pop-up stating that “Sandra.sys (aka the kernel driver) cannot be loaded on this device due to a security feature called ‘Hardware-enforced Stack Protection’ “.
Microsoft has started to ask Windows users to enable this new security features that may not be compatible with Sandra’s kernel driver (Sandra.sys). As this driver must run in kernel space and directly interacts with hardware – as with most other hardware utilities of this type, e.g. game anti-cheats, anti-virus/malware and similar kernel-level software – it cannot be compatible with all features.
While we are working on finding a solution, unfortunately there is no easy or immediate fix for it.
While most of the features will still work without the kernel device driver – its hardware detection functionality is greatly reduced, e.g. CPU/Chipset/Memory data will not be available (e.g. CPU multipliers, memory controller timings, memory modules detection, etc.). You can still run the benchmarks.
For full Sandra functionality, you will need to disable this feature and perhaps re-enable it later if all your other software is compatible with it. While we are working on a solution, unfortunately there is no immediate/easy work-around or fix.
How to disable “Kernel-mode Hardware-enforced Stack Protection”
- Click “Windows Security” notification icon on the taskbar.
- Click “Device Security” icon and then click “Core Isolation Details“.
- Un-set “Kernel-mode Hardware-enforced Stack Protection” to disable it. Reboot is required.
Please don’t forget to submit benchmark results to the Official SiSoftware Ranker! Many thanks for your continued support.
And please, don’t forget small ISVs (independent software vendors) like ourselves in these very challenging times. Please buy a copy of Sandra if you find our software useful. Your custom means everything to us!
Reviews using Sandra 20/21:
- EDN
- BabelTechReviews
- SiSoftware
- SiSoftware Official Ranker
Update & Download
Commercial version customers can download the free updates from their software distributor; Lite users please download from your favourite download site.
