Where Are Drivers Stored In Windows 10

Are you curious about where drivers are stored in Windows 10? Well, let's dive into the intricacies of this topic. Drivers play a crucial role in the functioning of hardware devices on a computer system. They act as the bridge between the hardware and the operating system, enabling them to communicate effectively. But have you ever wondered where these drivers are stored on your Windows 10 system?

In Windows 10, drivers are stored in a designated folder known as the "Driver Store." This folder, located in the Windows installation directory, houses all the necessary driver files required for various hardware components. The Driver Store ensures easy access to drivers when needed, allowing the system to seamlessly install, update, or uninstall them based on device requirements. With over 20,000 unique drivers available in the Driver Store, Windows 10 offers a comprehensive solution for managing hardware compatibility and performance.

Introduction: The Importance of Drivers in Windows 10

In the world of computing, drivers play a vital role in ensuring the smooth functioning of hardware devices connected to our systems. They act as intermediaries between the operating system and the hardware, facilitating communication and enabling the proper functioning of devices such as printers, graphics cards, network adapters, and more. In the case of Windows 10, an advanced operating system, it becomes essential to understand where these drivers are stored for various purposes, including troubleshooting, driver management, and updates. This article aims to explore the location of drivers in Windows 10 and provide insightful information on how to access them efficiently.

1. Windows 10 Built-in Drivers

Windows 10 comes with a wide range of built-in drivers that are automatically installed during the operating system's installation process. These drivers are essential for the basic functionality of common hardware devices and are stored in a specific system folder. The folder where these drivers are stored can be accessed by following the steps below:

• Open File Explorer (Windows key + E) and navigate to the C: drive.
• Go to the "Windows" folder.
• Inside the "Windows" folder, locate and open the "System32" folder.
• In the "System32" folder, you will find the "DriverStore" folder, which contains the built-in drivers.

The "DriverStore" folder houses all the built-in drivers in Windows 10, and you can explore its subfolders to find specific drivers for different hardware components installed on your system.

1.1. Using Device Manager to Access Built-in Drivers

An alternate method to access built-in drivers in Windows 10 is by using the Device Manager. The Device Manager provides a comprehensive view of all the hardware devices connected to your system and allows you to manage their drivers. Here's how to access the built-in drivers through Device Manager:

• Right-click on the Start button and select "Device Manager" from the context menu.
• In the Device Manager window, expand the categories to find the specific hardware device for which you want to access the driver.
• Right-click on the device and select "Properties" from the menu.
• In the Properties window, go to the "Driver" tab.
• Click on the "Driver Details" button to view the list of files associated with the driver.

Using Device Manager provides a convenient way to access information about the built-in drivers for your hardware devices and their associated files.

1.2. Automatic Driver Updates in Windows 10

Windows 10 is designed to automatically detect and install the appropriate drivers for most hardware devices to ensure optimal performance. This feature is known as Automatic Driver Updates and can be enabled or disabled based on your preference. When enabled, Windows 10 searches for the latest drivers from Microsoft's driver database and installs them as necessary. The location of these automatically installed drivers is the same as the built-in drivers mentioned earlier, i.e., the "DriverStore" folder.

It's crucial to have automatic driver updates enabled in Windows 10 to keep your system up to date with the latest driver versions, ensuring compatibility and enhanced performance for your hardware devices.

2. Downloaded Drivers

In addition to the built-in drivers, many hardware manufacturers provide specific drivers for their devices that offer advanced functionality, improved performance, and compatibility with specific software applications. These drivers are usually downloaded and installed manually or through automated utilities provided by the manufacturers. The downloaded drivers are stored in different locations on your Windows 10 system:

2.1. Default Download Location

By default, when you download a driver from a manufacturer's website, the installer package or the driver files are stored in the default Downloads folder on your system. To access the downloaded drivers, follow these steps:

• Open File Explorer (Windows key + E) and navigate to the "Downloads" folder.
• Locate the installer package or the extracted driver files.

You can then proceed to install the downloaded driver using the instructions provided by the manufacturer.

2.2. Custom Download Location

Some manufacturers provide the option to choose a custom download location for their driver installation packages. If you have specified a different location during the driver download process, you can navigate to that location to access the downloaded driver files.

2.3. Temporary Extraction Location

In some cases, when you download a driver installation package from a manufacturer's website, it extracts the necessary driver files to a temporary location during the installation process. After the installation is complete, these extracted files are deleted. However, you can access the temporary extraction location during the installation process by following these steps:

• Before clicking on the "Install" or "Next" button on the driver installation wizard, open File Explorer (Windows key + E) and navigate to the temporary folder specified by the installation process. This location is usually displayed in the installation wizard.
• Copy the extracted driver files from the temporary folder to a different location if you want to keep a backup of the driver files for future use.

By accessing the downloaded drivers and their installation files, you can ensure that the latest and most appropriate drivers are installed for your hardware devices.

Exploring Additional Aspects of Driver Storage in Windows 10

In addition to the built-in and downloaded drivers, Windows 10 utilizes other storage locations for handling various driver-related operations, including driver backups, temporary files, and system-specific driver repositories. Let's delve into these additional aspects:

3. Driver Backups

A driver backup is a copy of an existing driver that can be used to reinstall or restore the driver in case of a system failure or when migrating to a new system. By default, Windows 10 does not create automatic driver backups, but you can manually create them using third-party utilities or by following these steps:

• Open File Explorer (Windows key + E) and navigate to the "Windows.old" folder.
• Inside the "Windows.old" folder, go to "Windows" > "System32" > "DriverStore" > "FileRepository".
• In the "FileRepository" folder, you will find various subfolders containing backup copies of system drivers.

These backup copies can be used to restore specific drivers from a previous installation of Windows or to transfer drivers to another system.

3.1. Third-Party Driver Backup Tools

To simplify the driver backup process, various third-party tools are available that can create comprehensive backups of all installed drivers or specific driver categories. These tools scan your system, identify the drivers, and create backup files that can be restored when required.

Some popular third-party driver backup tools include Double Driver, Driver Genius, and DriverMax.

4. Temporary Driver Files

When you install a driver on Windows 10, temporary files are created to facilitate the installation process. These temporary files are stored in a specific location and are typically deleted after the installation completes successfully. However, you can access these temporary driver files during the installation process by following these steps:

• Before clicking on the "Install" or "Next" button on the driver installation wizard, open File Explorer (Windows key + E) and navigate to the temporary folder specified by the installation process. This location is usually displayed in the installation wizard.
• Copy the temporary driver files from the temporary folder to a different location if you want to keep a backup of the files for troubleshooting purposes or future installations.

By accessing these temporary driver files, you can troubleshoot installation issues or retain a backup to avoid re-downloading the driver in case of reinstallations.

5. OEM-Specific Driver Repositories

OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) suppliers often provide their own repositories or directories where they store specific drivers for their hardware products. These repositories can be located on the system or available for download from the OEM's support website. The specific location varies depending on the OEM and the system configuration.

To access and manage OEM-specific driver repositories, you can:

• Visit the OEM's support website and navigate to the product page or support section for your specific hardware device.
• Look for driver downloads or software support sections that provide access to the OEM's specific drivers.
• Download and install the drivers from the provided location, following the instructions provided by the OEM.

By utilizing the OEM-specific driver repositories, you can ensure that you have the latest and most compatible drivers for your hardware devices.

In conclusion, understanding where drivers are stored in Windows 10 is crucial for efficient driver management, troubleshooting, and updates. By exploring the built-in drivers, downloaded drivers, driver backups, temporary driver files, and OEM-specific driver repositories, you can ensure that your hardware devices are functioning optimally and take advantage of the latest driver enhancements.

Drivers Storage in Windows 10

Windows 10 stores drivers in specific locations to ensure the smooth functioning of the operating system. Here are the main locations where drivers are stored:

• DriverStore: This is the primary location where Windows stores device drivers. It is located in the system directory, typically at C:\Windows\System32\DriverStore. Within the DriverStore folder, drivers are organized in different subfolders based on their package information.
• Driver files: Some drivers are stored as individual files in various locations. These locations can include the System32 and SysWOW64 directories, as well as in the Windows\Inf folder.
• Registry: Windows also stores driver-related information in the system registry. These registry keys contain configuration settings and parameters necessary for the drivers to function correctly.
• Windows Update: Drivers can also be stored and installed via Windows Update. When you connect a new device to your computer or run a Windows Update, the necessary drivers may be downloaded and stored in a separate folder.

It is important to note that tampering with driver files or registry settings can cause system instability and compatibility issues. Therefore, it is recommended to update and manage drivers through official channels, such as Windows Update or the manufacturer's website.

Frequently Asked Questions

Below are some common questions regarding the location of driver files in Windows 10:

1. How do I find where the drivers are stored in Windows 10?

To locate the drivers in Windows 10, follow these steps:

1. Press the "Windows" key + "X" key on your keyboard to open the Power User Menu.

2. Select "Device Manager" from the list.

3. In the Device Manager window, expand the category of the device whose drivers you want to locate.

4. Right-click on the device and select "Properties."

5. In the Properties window, go to the "Driver" tab and click on "Driver Details."

6. A new window will open, displaying the location of the driver files in the "File" column.

2. Can I move drivers to a different location in Windows 10?

While it is not recommended to manually move the drivers files in Windows 10, it is possible to change the default driver installation location:

1. Press the "Windows" key + "X" key on your keyboard to open the Power User Menu.

2. Select "System" from the list.

3. In the System window, click on "Advanced system settings" on the left-hand side.

4. In the System Properties window, go to the "Hardware" tab and click on "Device Installation Settings."

5. Choose the option "No (your device might not work as expected)" and click on "Save Changes."

3. Is it possible to backup and restore drivers in Windows 10?

Yes, you can backup and restore drivers in Windows 10 using the following steps:

1. Press the "Windows" key + "X" key on your keyboard to open the Power User Menu.

2. Select "Device Manager" from the list.

3. In the Device Manager window, right-click on the device whose drivers you want to backup and select "Properties."

4. Go to the "Driver" tab and click on "Driver Details."

5. Note down the "Driver files" location.

6. Use a file backup tool or manually copy the driver files to a safe location.

7. To restore the drivers, simply copy the backed up files to the original location.

4. How do I update drivers in Windows 10?

To update drivers in Windows 10, follow these steps:

1. Press the "Windows" key + "X" key on your keyboard to open the Power User Menu.

2. Select "Device Manager" from the list.

3. In the Device Manager window, expand the category of the device you want to update.

4. Right-click on the device and select "Update Driver."

5. Choose the option "Search automatically for updated driver software" and follow the on-screen instructions.

5. Can I delete unnecessary drivers in Windows 10?

Yes, you can delete unnecessary drivers in Windows 10 using the following steps:

1. Press the "Windows

In conclusion, drivers in Windows 10 are stored in specific locations on your computer. They are essential software that helps your operating system communicate with hardware devices securely and efficiently.

By default, Windows 10 stores drivers in the 'C:\Windows\System32\DriverStore' directory. You can also find additional driver files in subfolders within this main directory. It is important to note that tampering with these files or deleting them without proper knowledge can cause system instability or device malfunctions.