I'm currently learning about the different modes the Windows operating system runs in (kernel mode vs. user mode), device drivers, their respective advantages and disadvantages and computer security in general.

I would like to create a practical example of what a faulty device driver that runs in kernel mode can do to the system, by for example corrupting memory used for critical OS-processes.

• How can I execute my code in kernel mode instead of user mode, directly?

• Do I have to write a dummy device driver and install it to do this?

• Where can I read more about kernel and user mode in Windows?

I know the dangers of this and will do all of the experiments on a virtual machine running Windows XP only