How to Create a Backup of Windows Drivers

Backing up drivers in Windows is a practical step that can significantly simplify the process of reinstalling or restoring your system. In case the operating system needs to be reinstalled, you can restore the drivers without having to search for and download them again. Let’s go over how to create a backup of your Windows drivers using both built-in tools and third-party software.

Why Backup Windows Drivers?

Backing up drivers allows you to save current versions of all device drivers in case they get lost after reinstalling the system. This is especially useful if you have devices with unique drivers that are hard to find. This approach saves time and helps prevent compatibility issues.

Methods to Back Up Windows Drivers

There are several ways to back up drivers in Windows. Here are the main methods:

Method 1: Using Windows PowerShell

PowerShell is a powerful tool that enables fast and effective driver backup. To do this:

  1. Open PowerShell with administrative privileges. Press Win + X and select Windows PowerShell (Admin).
  2. Enter the following command:
Export-WindowsDriver -Online -Destination "C:\BackupDrivers"

Replace "C:\BackupDrivers" with your desired location on the disk where you want to save the drivers.

The Export-WindowsDriver command exports all drivers installed in the system to the specified location. Once completed, the chosen folder will contain all the drivers ready for future restoration.

Method 2: Using Command Prompt

You can also create a driver backup using Command Prompt:

  1. Open Command Prompt with administrative privileges by pressing Win + X and selecting Command Prompt (Admin).
  2. Enter the following command:
pnputil /export-driver * "C:\BackupDrivers"

This command will save all drivers in the system to the specified folder. As with PowerShell, you can replace the path with any other location convenient for you.

Method 3: Using Third-Party Software

There are also dedicated programs for driver backup that offer a more intuitive interface and additional features. Some popular programs include:

  • DriverMax — a free program with an easy-to-use interface for backing up and restoring drivers.
  • DriverBackup! — a straightforward tool compatible with various versions of Windows that lets you choose specific drivers to save.
  • Double Driver — a compact program that allows you to back up and restore drivers without installation.

Using third-party software can be useful if you prefer more control over the process and the ability to automate driver backups.

Restoring Drivers from Backup

When it’s time to restore drivers from a backup, you can do so manually or use the third-party software you used for creating the backup. To manually install drivers:

  1. Open Device Manager by pressing Win + X and selecting Device Manager.
  2. Select the device whose driver you want to restore, and click Update driver.
  3. Choose Browse my computer for drivers and specify the path to the folder containing the backup drivers.