how can I transfer old drivers to a new Windows installation?

Question

I've just installed a new Windows software but I don't have any of the drivers needed for computer hardware, I've got all the files from old Windows drive and I'm asking if I can set the new installed Windows to use drivers installed in the old one?

I've already tried copying everything in drivers folder but Windows still can't recognize the drivers.

Answer 1

I think I have an answer for you. At least a proposed solution that worked for me.

I didn't want to install all the extra software with the drivers, so I found that if you look at the "Driver Details" you will see a .sys name. Just copying that WILL NOT work. You need the .inf file as well which of course isn't stored there.

So if you go to C:\Windows\System32\DriverStore\FileRepository that is where all the needed information is stored. How you find what you need is by looking at the name of .sys (mentioned above), and then finding that same name or something very close to that.

For example:

A driver that has a system file of bthpan.sys (Bluetooth), so if you look in the FileRepository you will find a folder like this "bthpan.inf_amd64_neutral_024281c0e4e954e2" Notice that the first part matches the same name of the .sys, but has the .inf_.... If you open that folder up, bingo! There is your .sys, .inf, and any other necessary files matching the name of the .sys file.

Now you just need to copy that folder or files to a flash drive, and bring it to the computer that isn't working. Point the device to that folder, and it should install the driver without any issue.

Hope this is helpful!

Answer 2

I wouldn't copy anything. I'd slave up the old drive, and as Windows prompts for drivers, point it to the OLD system32 folder (C:\WINDOWS\system32). At that point, usually it will be able to find everything it needs on its own. Copying is trouble 'cause you could overwrite newer drivers, plus you'll surely copy far more than you actually need, filling up your folder with unnecessary files.

Answer 3

For anyone who's coming here in 2014: Just go to Device Manager, Other Devices, right click on whatever needs a driver and Browse my computer for driver software and choose the system32 folder from your old windows. Simple as that. You should be able to install all your drivers.

Answer 4

It's a bit of a pain, but reasonably easy to do.

1. Download Double Driver and put it onto a USB stick (no installation is required)
2. Swap out the hard drive back to the old one
3. Boot into Windows
4. Run Double Driver from the USB stick, it'll automatically select all the non-Microsoft drivers.
5. Click on "Save" and point it at your USB stick. All your drivers will be downloaded onto the stick.

Then all you need to do is swap out the hard drive to the new system, boot into Windows and walk through the device manager selecting any of the items that it doesn't recognise.

When Windows asks you for the driver CD, point it at the folder on your USB stick instead.

Answer 5

This is unlikely to work as many driver installers use scripted behavior to install themselves onto a system. (Eg; graphics drivers)

The best course of action is to install the network driver and download them from the manufacturer's web site. Alternatively, put them on a USB key and install them.

Note: It probably is even less likely to work if you are switching Windows versions and it flat out won't work if you go from 32 to 64 bit or vice versa.

Answer 6

there's a handful of applications that do that - i've messed with driverbackup! before and it should do what you need.

Answer 7

Use the windows sysprep tool with OBBE experience and don't check the generalised option, it should keep your drivers and make a ready to capture image that you can capture and install with any capture/install software (such as ghost/clonezilla/imagex...).

Answer 8

Try looking in C:\Windows\inf, that worked for me.