Solved Driverstore explorer, safe to delete old drivers?

hdmi · Dec 17, 2024

FreeBooter said:
Windows keeps a copy of every driver you install in a place called the Driver Store.

Incorrect. It is possible to install drivers on Windows 11 without adding them to the Driver Store. One way to achieve this is by using the .INF file installation method. Here's how you can do it:
1. Download the driver: Obtain the driver package from the manufacturer's website.
2. Extract the .INF file: If the driver comes in a compressed format (like a .ZIP file), extract it to a folder.
3. Navigate to the .INF file: Use File Explorer to locate the .INF file within the extracted folder.
4. Install the .INF file manually:

Right-click on the .INF file.
Select Install from the context menu.
Follow the prompts to complete the installation.

By installing the driver directly from the .INF file, you can avoid adding it to the Driver Store. This method can be particularly useful for drivers that might cause issues if stored in the Driver Store.

That being said, there are drivers that Windows cannot add to the Driver Store. This typically happens when the driver package does not meet certain criteria required by Windows for staging. For example, if the driver's .INF file does not reference all required files or lacks a trusted digital signature, Windows will not stage it to the Driver Store. Additionally, drivers that are installed manually using methods like the .INF file installation (as mentioned earlier) or through third-party installation tools might not be added to the Driver Store.

cereberus · Dec 17, 2024

FreeBooter said:
Yes, correct yourself and blame it on me.

Rolling of my eyes.

FreeBooter · Dec 17, 2024

hdmi said:
Incorrect. It is possible to install drivers on Windows 11 without adding them to the Driver Store. One way to achieve this is by using the .INF file installation method. Here's how you can do it:
1. Download the driver: Obtain the driver package from the manufacturer's website.
2. Extract the .INF file: If the driver comes in a compressed format (like a .ZIP file), extract it to a folder.
3. Navigate to the .INF file: Use File Explorer to locate the .INF file within the extracted folder.
4. Install the .INF file manually:

Right-click on the .INF file.

Select Install from the context menu.

Follow the prompts to complete the installation.

By installing the driver directly from the .INF file, you can avoid adding it to the Driver Store. This method can be particularly useful for drivers that might cause issues if stored in the Driver Store.

That being said, there are drivers that Windows cannot add to the Driver Store. This typically happens when the driver package does not meet certain criteria required by Windows for staging. For example, if the driver's .INF file does not reference all required files or lacks a trusted digital signature, Windows will not stage it to the Driver Store. Additionally, drivers that are installed manually using methods like the .INF file installation (as mentioned earlier) or through third-party installation tools might not be added to the Driver Store.

What are you on about, i explained, FileRepository folder is use for, but you explained what i already know.

The FileRepository folder is the system folder that is required to store drivers. That is, it contains all the drivers that have ever been installed on a computer automatically or manually.

DriverStoreExplorer application, which can be used to delete these backup drivers in FileRepository folder.

The Hidden Drivers option in Device Manager can be used to delete drivers that are used to roll back to older drivers.

Why delete drivers that take up few MB of space gets me with current storage sizes there is no need.

garlin · Dec 17, 2024

FreeBooter said:
Why delete drivers that take up few MB of space gets me with current storage sizes there is no need.

For the exact reason this thread started on. Not everyone begins with a clean Windows install, and adds specific drivers or allows WU to find them. Some users transfer an existing image because they're worried about not finding the drivers again.

Other users will build an install ISO with driver support for multiple PC's. It can be useful to remove the unwanted drivers, using a "smarter" tool than just running pnputil.

pseymour · Dec 17, 2024

In addition to what garlin said, there is also a case to be made for removing drivers you’re not using to reduce the risk of a BYOVD attack. I know, I know, home users never get attacked, but they do generally run as administrator, making it super easy for a nefarious person to load an old, vulnerable driver that is just sitting on the drive. If the driver were not there, you wouldn’t be vulnerable to it.

hdmi · Dec 17, 2024

FreeBooter said:
What are you on about, i explained, FileRepository folder is use for, but you explained what i already know.

Clearly, you don't already know. See below.

FreeBooter said:
The FileRepository folder is the system folder that is required to store drivers. That is, it contains all the drivers that have ever been installed on a computer automatically or manually.

Wrong again. Like I have explained (with copious details) in my previous reply, it does not necessarily always contain all third-party drivers that have ever been installed.

FreeBooter said:
DriverStoreExplorer application, which can be used to delete these backup drivers in FileRepository folder.

The Hidden Drivers option in Device Manager can be used to delete drivers that are used to roll back to older drivers.

Device Manager is cumbersome when the only goal is to remove all obsolete old drivers from the Driver Store. It's the main reason why DriverStoreExplorer (RAPR) was invented in the first place.

FreeBooter said:
Why delete drivers that take up few MB of space gets me with current storage sizes there is no need.

It isn't so much about taking up space. It's more about un-cluttering the list of what drivers are in the Driver Store.

garlin · Dec 17, 2024

Another behavior that's common with experienced admins is to accumulate older drivers (in case a newer version is unstable). Assuming you can boot Windows, you go into Device Manager and roll back to a previous driver.

After waiting a few weeks or months, then I'll clean up the outdated drivers knowing I'm keeping the stable versions.

andrew129260 · Dec 17, 2024

idgat said:
You will never completely "clean it up" manually

No, but I will get it pretty close.

garlin said:
For the exact reason this thread started on. Not everyone begins with a clean Windows install, and adds specific drivers or allows WU to find them. Some users transfer an existing image because they're worried about not finding the drivers again.

Other users will build an install ISO with driver support for multiple PC's. It can be useful to remove the unwanted drivers, using a "smarter" tool than just running pnputil.

Yeah I wanted the drivers I no longer need removed. I also thought a side benefit with the drivers being cleaned up, it lessons the chance of bsod or something else weird. Not sure if that is true or not, but that was my thought process.

pseymour said:
In addition to what garlin said, there is also a case to be made for removing drivers you’re not using to reduce the risk of a BYOVD attack.

Another Great point as well.

Going to make the image tonight and then go on a old unused driver deleting spree......and will remove that dell support partition as well.

hdmi · Dec 17, 2024

andrew129260 said:
bsod or something else weird

As long as you don't actually roll back to them, keeping problematic old drivers in the Driver Store shouldn't be a concern besides the fact that they may clutter up your view when you're trying to inspect the Driver Store's contents. But yes, there can still be exceptions to this, even if these exceptions tend to be rare, and, if you already know what the problematic ones are, then yes, removing them from the Driver Store can also help to prevent you from accidentally rolling back to them. Then again, I haven't rolled back to an older driver in years. But anyway.

idgat · Dec 17, 2024

andrew129260 said:
No, but I will get it pretty close.

In which case you'll never know whether it's that leftover piece of minutiae that's still contra to the system and likely to cause problems.

antspants · Dec 17, 2024

This thread has been entertaining to say the least.

Just go for it, Andrew. You have 3 outcomes

Everything goes swimmingly
You have to reload a backup
You decide to reinstall.

Happy computing, mate

pseymour · Dec 17, 2024

Andrew seems like an astute fella that works in IT. I doubt he comes beggin for help.

Rollback_Jockey · Dec 17, 2024

Ghot said:
I wouldn't do that.
Laptop to laptop... maybe.
Desktop to desktop... maybe.

Laptop to desktop... I would consider a clean install on the desktop.

I do that all the time, i configure my Laptop the way i want my systems to be then use DISM to capture the image then deploy it to 2 other laptops and my ASUS based tower system, never had a single issue yet.

andrew129260 · Dec 17, 2024

idgat said:
In which case you'll never know whether it's that leftover piece of minutiae that's still contra to the system and likely to cause problems.

I mean I would know...as its likely it would be that reason....and I would clean install at that point.......but I aint currently having problems.....so yeah

thanks though :)

antspants said:
This thread has been entertaining to say the least.

Just go for it, Andrew. You have 3 outcomes

Everything goes swimmingly
You have to reload a backup
You decide to reinstall.

Happy computing, mate

It definitely went in some unexpected turns I could not have anticipated haha....and thanks making the image now

pseymour said:
Andrew seems like an astute fella that works in IT. I doubt he comes beggin for help.

when did you change your profile pc? lol thats hilarious. And hey while im flattered, we all need help from time to time. But yes, I am pretty sure any jam I get myself into I can eventually figure out. thanks!

Rollback_Jockey said:
I do that all the time, i configure my Laptop the way i want my systems to be then use DISM to capture the image then deploy it to 2 other laptops and my ASUS based tower system, never had a single issue yet.

power to the people

antspants · Dec 17, 2024

andrew129260 said:
when did you change your profile pc? lol thats hilarious

antspants · Dec 17, 2024

pseymour said:
Andrew seems like an astute fella that works in IT. I doubt he comes beggin for help.

No doubt, no doubt. It’s putting his socks on the right feet that is a problem. And that left handed screwdriver issue keeps popping up.

andrew129260 · Dec 17, 2024

welp its done no problems whatsoever. I told it to delete all old drivers and I selected some other dell related things. I had to force delete the alienware command center driver that was left. It claimed it was still running even though it was uninstalled ages ago. It got rid of everything nicely. I did get a warning about one entry from dell being in use:

I have these 2 left:

The one is my keyboard so thats fine, but that firmware one seems to be (from what I can tell) the driver that lets windows update the firmware through windows update.

Probably should force delete that. Going to force that tomorrow. For now, its bedtime.

cereberus · Dec 18, 2024

andrew129260 said:
welp its done no problems whatsoever. I told it to delete all old drivers and I selected some other dell related things. I had to force delete the alienware command center driver that was left. It claimed it was still running even though it was uninstalled ages ago. It got rid of everything nicely. I did get a warning about one entry from dell being in use:

I have these 2 left:

View attachment 119693

The one is my keyboard so thats fine, but that firmware one seems to be (from what I can tell) the driver that lets windows update the firmware through windows update.

Probably should force delete that. Going to force that tomorrow. For now, its bedtime.

There are diminishing returns for removing old drivers. For example old Intel Graphics drivers take over 1.9GB storage each so removing them saves a lot of space.

In your example, the remaining old drivers take so little space, is it worth the effort force deleting them?

I aways end up with a couple of drivers duplicates allegedly still in use but space is so small, I just leave them, as I cannot be certain I will not break something.

In the end, make sure you can roll back if you delete drivers and something falls over e.g. an image backup.

andrew129260 · Dec 18, 2024

cereberus said:
There are diminishing returns for removing old drivers. For example old Intel Graphics drivers take over 1.9GB storage each so removing them saves a lot of space.

In your example, the remaining old drivers take so little space, is it worth the effort force deleting them?

I aways end up with a couple of drivers duplicates allegedly still in use but space is so small, I just leave them, as I cannot be certain I will not break something.

In the end, make sure you can roll back if you delete drivers and something falls over e.g. an image backup.

Thank you. Yeah I agree, my only concern is the firmware one shows its in use so I find that odd and want to remove it.

andrew129260 · Dec 18, 2024

All of the dell stuff is removed, everything is stable. Happy days :party:

Solved Driverstore explorer, safe to delete old drivers?

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