Backup and Restore Backup and Restore Device Drivers in Windows 11


Device_Manager_banner.png

This tutorial will show you how to back up and restore all 3rd party device drivers on your Windows 10 and Windows 11 PC.

If you clean install Windows, you will need to install drivers for each device in the system. Some of these device drivers may no longer be available from the manufacturer, or you misplaced a backup of the driver installation file from the manufacturer.

It would be a good idea to back up your device drivers before doing a clean install to make it easy to restore any of these drivers as needed afterwards.


You must be signed in as an administrator to backup and restore drivers.



Contents

  • Option One: Back Up All Device Drivers using DISM Command
  • Option Two: Back Up All Device Drivers using pnputil Command
  • Option Three: Back Up All Device Drivers using Export-WindowsDriver Command
  • Option Four: Restore Specific Device Driver in Device Manager
  • Option Five: Restore All Device Drivers in Device Manager
  • Option Six: Restore All Device Drivers using pnputil Command




Option One

Back Up All Device Drivers using DISM Command


docs.microsoft.com

DISM Driver Servicing (.inf) Command-Line Options

DISM Driver Servicing (.inf) Command-Line Options
docs.microsoft.com

1 Open Windows Terminal (Admin), and select either Windows PowerShell or Command Prompt.

2 Type the command below into Windows Terminal (Admin), and press Enter. (see screenshots below)

dism /online /export-driver /destination:"full path of folder"​

Substitute full path of folder in the command above with the actual full path of the already existing folder (ex: "C:\Users\Brink\Desktop\My Drivers") you want to export all 3rd party device drivers into. If this folder doesn't currently exist, you will need to create it first before running the command.

For example: dism /online /export-driver /destination:"C:\Users\Brink\Desktop\My Drivers"


3 When exporting has finished, you can close Windows Terminal (Admin) if you like.

Backup_drivers_with_DISM_command-1.png
Backup_drivers_with_DISM_command-2.png





Option Two

Back Up All Device Drivers using pnputil Command


docs.microsoft.com

PnPUtil Command Syntax - Windows drivers

How to run PnPUtil, including syntax and parameters.
docs.microsoft.com

1 Open Windows Terminal (Admin), and select either Windows PowerShell or Command Prompt.

2 Type the command below into Windows Terminal (Admin), and press Enter. (see screenshots below)

pnputil /export-driver * "full path of folder"​

Substitute full path of folder in the command above with the actual full path of the already existing folder (ex: "C:\Users\Brink\Desktop\My Drivers") you want to export all 3rd party device drivers into. If this folder doesn't currently exist, you will need to create it first before running the command.

For example: pnputil /export-driver * "C:\Users\Brink\Desktop\My Drivers"


3 When exporting has finished, you can close Windows Terminal (Admin) if you like.

Backup_drivers_with_pnputil_command-1.png
Backup_drivers_with_pnputil_command-2.png





Option Three

Back Up All Device Drivers using Export-WindowsDriver Command


docs.microsoft.com

Export-WindowsDriver (DISM)

Use this topic to help manage Windows and Windows Server technologies with Windows PowerShell.
docs.microsoft.com

1 Open Windows Terminal (Admin), and select Windows PowerShell.

2 Type the command below into Windows Terminal (Admin), and press Enter. (see screenshots below).

Export-WindowsDriver -Online -Destination "full path of folder"​

Substitute full path of folder in the command above with the actual full path of the already existing folder (ex: "C:\Users\Brink\Desktop\My Drivers") you want to export all 3rd party device drivers into. If this folder doesn't currently exist, you will need to create it first before running the command.

For example: Export-WindowsDriver -Online -Destination "C:\Users\Brink\Desktop\My Drivers"


3 When exporting has finished, you can close Windows Terminal (Admin) if you like.

Backup_drivers_with_Export-WindowsDriver_command-1.png
Backup_drivers_with_Export-WindowsDriver_command-2.png





Option Four

Restore Specific Device Driver in Device Manager


1 Open Device Manager (devmgmt.msc).

2 Right click on the device (ex: "Logitech BRIO") you want to update its driver, and click/tap on Update driver. (see screenshot below)

Restore_driver_Device_Manager-1.png

3 Click/tap on Browse my computer for drivers. (see screenshot below)

Restore_driver_Device_Manager-2.png

4 Perform the following steps to select your drivers backup folder: (see screenshots below)
  1. Click/tap on the Browse button.
  2. Navigate to and select the folder (ex: "C:\Users\Brink\Desktop\My Drivers") containing your device drivers backup.
  3. Click/tap on OK.
  4. Check the Include subfolders box.
  5. Click/tap on Next.
Restore_driver_Device_Manager-3.png
Restore_driver_Device_Manager-4.png

5 Device Manager will now search for and install the device driver if it's newer than what is currently installed. (see screenshots below)

Restore_driver_Device_Manager-5.png
Restore_driver_Device_Manager-6.png

6 When you have finished restoring device driver backups, you can close Device Manager if you like.




Option Five

Restore All Device Drivers in Device Manager


1 Open Device Manager (devmgmt.msc).

2 Perform one of the following actions: (see screenshots below)
  • Right click on the computer name, and click/tap on Add drivers.
  • Right click on Action on the menu bar, and click/tap on Add drivers.
Device_Manager_Add_Drivers-1.png
Device_Manager_Add_Drivers-2.png

3 Perform the following steps to select your drivers backup folder: (see screenshots below)
  1. Click/tap on the Browse button.
  2. Navigate to and select the folder (ex: "C:\Users\Brink\Desktop\My Drivers") containing your device drivers backup.
  3. Click/tap on OK.
  4. Check the Include subfolders box.
  5. Click/tap on Next.
Device_Manager_Add_Drivers-3.png
Device_Manager_Add_Drivers-4.png

4 Device Manager will now search for and install the device drivers. (see screenshot below)

Device_Manager_Add_Drivers-5.png

5 When the drivers have successfully finished installing, click/tap on Close. (see screenshot below)

Device_Manager_Add_Drivers-6.png

6 You can now close Device Manager if you like.




Option Six

Restore All Device Drivers using pnputil Command


docs.microsoft.com

PnPUtil Command Syntax - Windows drivers

How to run PnPUtil, including syntax and parameters.
docs.microsoft.com

1 Open Windows Terminal (Admin), and select either Windows PowerShell or Command Prompt.

2 Type the command below into Windows Terminal (Admin), and press Enter.

pnputil /add-driver "full path of folder\*.inf" /subdirs /install /reboot​

Substitute full path of folder in the command above with the actual full path of the folder (ex: "C:\Users\Brink\Desktop\My Drivers") you exported all 3rd party device drivers into.

For example: pnputil /add-driver "C:\Users\Brink\Desktop\My Drivers\*.inf" /subdirs /install /reboot


The /reboot parameter in the command above will automatically restart the computer if needed to complete the operation of importing the drivers.

Be sure you save and close anything open before running this command.


3 When importing has finished, you can close Windows Terminal (Admin) if you like.


That's it,
Shawn Brink


Related Tutorials

 
Last edited:
Click to expand...
glasskuter said:
Hey Brink, for years I have used a tiny portable app called Double Driver Backup and Restore that backs up all drivers and any software packages associated with them. It's great for powershell deficient people like me because it does it all with one click of the mouse. What I like most about it is its ease of use and the way it lays out my devices in structured folders so I can make sense of it if I want to restore only a single driver. It's an old app but still works perfectly in 10 & 11. For anyone who wants to use it, the dd.exe file has to be run as administrator.
Click to expand...
@glasskuter Thanks! I need to bring up that old SATA spinner from the basement. I think I saved that utility years ago. If not, @Brink has provided a great solution for a clean Win11 install. Thinking again, using DISM, which I just did, and then using devmgmt.msc to restore the drivers sounds easier.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 23H2 (OS Build [22631.4751])
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    CyberPower Inc.
    CPU
    Intel Core i5-11600KF
    Motherboard
    MSI MPG Z590 Gaming Carbon WIFI
    Memory
    48GB DDR4-2667 = 2x8 Patriot + 2x16 G.Skill
    Graphics Card(s)
    Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060
    Sound Card
    All on-board: Nvidia High-def Audio, Nvidia Virtual Audio Device, Realtek USB Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LG 32GN63T-Baus
    Screen Resolution
    2560 x 1440
    Hard Drives
    GP-ASM2NE6100TTTD GIGABYTE AORUS NVMe Gen4 M.2 1TB PCI-E 4.0, CT250MX500SSD1, CT1000MX500SSD1, 2x NVMe Gen3 M.2 NE-256 2280, 1x NVMe Gen3 M.2 NE-1TB 2280
    PSU
    EVGA 600W Gold 80 Plus
    Case
    Phantek Eclipse P600S Silent ATX
    Cooling
    Phantek PH-TC12DX U-Type Dual
    Keyboard
    NOHI 01 MODEL:KB-161-306
    Mouse
    CyberPowerPC Elite M1-131
    Internet Speed
    DL 827.77Mbps, UL 23.93 Mbps, Ping 4ms
    Browser
    Firefox 134.0.2 (64-bit)
    Antivirus
    Emsisoft Anti-Malware Home
Hello. I have a question about driver backups. If I image my disk (such as using Macrium Reflect), if I re-install that image, or transfer it to a new larger NVme on the same computer, aren't all the drivers already contained in the image backup, so they will automatically be there when the image is restored? I am thinking the only hardware difference will be the new NVme drive. I am confused by this as there are mentions in some of the above posts about having to install the drivers after changing disks. Sorry for my ignnorance on this. I plan to install a new Nvme drive tomorrow as my old one says health is 3%, plus it is too small. So if I also have to back up drivers as well as have the disk imaged, then I need to do it before I install the new one. Thanks.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavilion 15-cs3063cl
spacecon said:
Hello. I have a question about driver backups. If I image my disk (such as using Macrium Reflect), if I re-install that image, or transfer it to a new larger NVme on the same computer, aren't all the drivers already contained in the image backup, so they will automatically be there when the image is restored? I am thinking the only hardware difference will be the new NVme drive. I am confused by this as there are mentions in some of the above posts about having to install the drivers after changing disks. Sorry for my ignnorance on this. I plan to install a new Nvme drive tomorrow as my old one says health is 3%, plus it is too small. So if I also have to back up drivers as well as have the disk imaged, then I need to do it before I install the new one. Thanks.
Click to expand...

Hello, and welcome. :alien:

Correct. Any current drivers will be included in the system image created by Macrium Reflect, and will be restored along with the image.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self build
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING (11GB GDDR5X)
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G75 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    Seasonic Prime Titanium 850W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3 wall mounted
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gbps Download and 35 Mbps Upload
    Browser
    Google Chrome
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Defender and Malwarebytes Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    CyberPower CP1500PFCLCD
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Surface Laptop 7 Copilot+ PC
    CPU
    Snapdragon X Elite (12 core) 3.42 GHz
    Memory
    16 GB LPDDR5x-7467 MHz
    Monitor(s) Displays
    15" HDR
    Screen Resolution
    2496 x 1664
    Hard Drives
    1 TB SSD
    Internet Speed
    Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4
    Browser
    Chrome and Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
Will this back up things like Intel or HP firmware as well? Or is that not actually a driver? Those are the things I can never find to install.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavilion 14-ce3514sa
    CPU
    Core i5
    Memory
    16gb
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 970 evo plus 2TB
    Cooling
    Could be better
    Internet Speed
    200mbps Starlink
    Browser
    Firefox
    Other Info
    Originally installed with a 500gb H10 Optane ssd
Hazel123 said:
Will this back up things like Intel or HP firmware as well? Or is that not actually a driver? Those are the things I can never find to install.
Click to expand...

Hello, :alien:

I'm afraid it doesn't include firmware. Only drivers.

Usually, you can find firmware downloads at the manufacturer's site for your motherboard or OEM PC.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self build
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING (11GB GDDR5X)
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G75 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    Seasonic Prime Titanium 850W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3 wall mounted
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gbps Download and 35 Mbps Upload
    Browser
    Google Chrome
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Defender and Malwarebytes Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    CyberPower CP1500PFCLCD
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Surface Laptop 7 Copilot+ PC
    CPU
    Snapdragon X Elite (12 core) 3.42 GHz
    Memory
    16 GB LPDDR5x-7467 MHz
    Monitor(s) Displays
    15" HDR
    Screen Resolution
    2496 x 1664
    Hard Drives
    1 TB SSD
    Internet Speed
    Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4
    Browser
    Chrome and Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
Thank you.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavilion 14-ce3514sa
    CPU
    Core i5
    Memory
    16gb
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 970 evo plus 2TB
    Cooling
    Could be better
    Internet Speed
    200mbps Starlink
    Browser
    Firefox
    Other Info
    Originally installed with a 500gb H10 Optane ssd

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self build
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING (11GB GDDR5X)
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G75 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    Seasonic Prime Titanium 850W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3 wall mounted
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gbps Download and 35 Mbps Upload
    Browser
    Google Chrome
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Defender and Malwarebytes Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    CyberPower CP1500PFCLCD
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Surface Laptop 7 Copilot+ PC
    CPU
    Snapdragon X Elite (12 core) 3.42 GHz
    Memory
    16 GB LPDDR5x-7467 MHz
    Monitor(s) Displays
    15" HDR
    Screen Resolution
    2496 x 1664
    Hard Drives
    1 TB SSD
    Internet Speed
    Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4
    Browser
    Chrome and Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
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