He runs it. This time, a progress bar appears: “Installing RTL8812BU Driver…” It finishes. Reboot required.
He tries the MSI file. Windows SmartScreen blocks it: “Unknown publisher. Run anyway?” maxicom wifi adapter driver
He checks the Maxicom “driver” file hash against the Realtek one. Identical. The only difference: Maxicom had tampered with the .inf file to change the hardware ID string — and forgot to re-sign it. Alex goes back to Amazon and sorts reviews by most recent . Dozens of 1-star reviews: “Driver CD is useless. Link downloads malware? (Windows Defender flagged it as PUA:Win32/InstallCore)” “Works for a week then stops. Support email bounces back.” “The driver installer tried to install a VPN toolbar. Never again.” He realizes: The sketchy driver site was also bundling adware and tracking cookies. Maxicom wasn’t just lazy — they were making extra money by bundling junkware with their driver installer. He runs it
Alex disables Secure Boot in BIOS and turns off driver signature enforcement via advanced startup. Then he reinstalls the driver. This time, it works. He tries the MSI file
No WiFi networks appear. The adapter’s LED blinks slowly — not a good sign.
He writes his own 1-star review: “Uses Realtek chip. Just download the official Realtek driver. Maxicom’s installer contains unsigned drivers and potential adware.”
But he shouldn’t have to do any of that. While troubleshooting, Alex discovers the secret: Maxicom doesn’t manufacture chips . Like 90% of generic USB WiFi adapters on Amazon, the Maxicom AC1200 is just a rebranded Realtek RTL8812BU reference design.