How to Install Drivers from the Windows.old Folder After Reinstalling Your OS
When you reinstall Windows, a folder named Windows.old often remains on your system. This folder contains backup data from the previous installation, including drivers that may be useful for restoring device functionality. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to recover drivers from the Windows.old folder.
Step 1: Access the Windows.old Folder
Navigate to the Windows.old folder on your system drive (usually C:\Windows.old). Look for the System32 subfolder, and then open DriverStore and drivers. These folders contain the necessary driver files.
Step 2: Open Device Manager
Open Device Manager to view all connected devices. You can do this by right-clicking the Start button and selecting Device Manager, or by typing it into the Windows search bar.
Step 3: Update the Driver Manually
In Device Manager, locate the device that requires a driver, right-click it, and select Update driver.
Step 4: Specify the Driver Path
In the next window, choose the option Browse my computer for drivers and point to the Windows.old folder. For example, the path might look like this:
C:\Windows.old\System32\DriverStore
Windows will scan the specified folder and attempt to install the appropriate driver for your device.
Step 5: Restart Your Computer
After the driver installation completes, it’s recommended to restart your computer to apply the changes. This ensures the hardware operates correctly.
Additional Tips
- If you experience issues with driver installation, consider downloading the official drivers from the device manufacturer's website.
- The
Windows.oldfolder is typically deleted 10 days after reinstalling the OS, so it’s best to recover drivers sooner rather than later. - For convenience, you may want to copy the drivers from
Windows.oldto a separate folder in caseWindows.oldis automatically removed.
Following these simple steps allows you to recover drivers from the Windows.old backup and ensure stable device operation after reinstalling Windows.