Step-by-Step Guide: Backup Windows 10 Drivers [Powerful Solutions]

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Do you know how to back up drivers in Windows 10? If you're also looking for a solution to back up drivers in Windows 10, don't miss this article. You've come to the right place. I'll provide a step-by-step guide on how to back up drivers in Windows 10, as well as an ultimate guide to safeguard your entire computer. Hopefully, this article will be of great help to you!

Everything You Need to Know About Windows 10 Backup Drivers

Before we get into how to back up drivers in Windows 10, there are a few things you need to know. Let's take a look.

"What are drivers for Windows 10?"

A computer driver is a set of files that provide a software interface for hardware devices. All hardware requires drivers to ensure that the operating system can access these devices effortlessly. In Windows 10, there are two types of drivers: generic and non-generic. Generic drivers are provided by Microsoft and offer basic functionality.

Read next: The best way to backup Windows 10

Do I need to back up drivers in Windows 10?

Now that you understand what drivers mean in Windows 10, you might also wonder whether you need to back them up. Of course, drivers are essential for the communication between your computer's hardware and software. Backing up drivers in Windows 10 can bring you the following benefits:

• Simplify the complexity of reinstalling drivers
• Fix corrupted drivers on Windows 10
• Address issues when manufacturers no longer provide drivers
• Eliminate the hassle of losing computer vendor-provided CDs

Regardless of the reason, it's essential to back up drivers to ensure your computer functions smoothly. So, how do you backup drivers? Don't worry; I'll guide you through the process step by step.

How to Backup Drivers in Windows 10 [3 Methods]

In Windows 10, you can backup drivers using third-party tools or built-in utilities. Let's check them out.

Method 1: Back Up Windows 10 Drivers with DriverHandy

< a href="https://toolbox.tools.com/driver-handy/">DriverHandy< /a> is an all-in-one driver management tool. It not only detects outdated or old drivers but also identifies those that need backing up and quickly creates a backup. The "Backup Drivers" feature allows you to restore them from the backup in case they are deleted or lost, thus preventing driver-related issues.

Follow these steps to easily and quickly back up your drivers in Windows 10:

Step 1: Launch the DriverHandy tool on your computer and click on “Scan” to look for all the drivers.

Select a location and click “Scan”

Step 2: Click on the “Rescue Center” on the left and then choose “Backup Drivers”. This tool will help you auto-select the drivers. You can also check the drivers you want to back up.

Step 3: Click on the "Start Backup" button to begin backing up your drivers, and then wait for the backup process to finish.

Method 2: Back Up Windows 10 Drivers Through Command Prompt

If you want to install a new operating system and back up your drivers, you can use Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM). This is a built-in command-line tool that has been available since Windows 8, and is also used to maintain and prepare Windows images. Here's how:

Step 1: Press the Windows key, search for “Command Prompt,” and open it.

Step 2: Run Command Prompt as an administrator.

Step 3: Type the command into the Command Prompt window. You can choose one of the commands.

Step 4: Press “Enter” to begin the backup command.

When it's done, you'll see “The operation completed successfully.” You can then find the contents of your backup in the saved file.

Method 3: Back Up Windows 10 Disk with PowerShell

In Windows 10, PowerShell can directly export all third-party drivers installed on your computer from the driver store. Since PowerShell also supports Mac OS and Linux, this can help you simplify and speed up the process of reinstalling Windows. You can also use PowerShell to back up your PC's drivers with a command, though the syntax is slightly different. Here's how.

Step 1: Press the “Win+X” keys and select “Windows PowerShell (Admin).”

Step 2: Choose the backup location, and then enter the following command in PowerShell:

Step 3: Open Explorer and check if the file exists.

Are backup drivers sufficient for Windows 10?

Having backup drivers can help you simplify the programs installed on your computer and fix some issues that might come up when updating your drivers. So, is backing up Windows 10 drivers enough? Of course not. Backing up drivers is important, but it's not enough.

A driver is just a part of a computer's operating system. Thus, backing up drivers won't prevent the recovery of other data on your PC. However, a system image or a disk image of your computer can do that. A system image includes all the drivers running on Windows, along with hard disk drives, system settings, programs, files, and drivers. That's why creating a system image backup is crucial.

Next, I'm going to show you the easiest way to get that done.

Conclusion

Windows 10 offers three simple ways to back up your drivers. The DriverHandy tool can help you accomplish this task easily and quickly. However, backing up your drivers isn't enough to protect all your computer's data. You should create an image of your entire system.

With the help of a reliable Todo Backup tool, you can easily back up your entire system, including drivers. It's time to get your system fully backed up and protected!

Frequently Asked Questions About Backing Up Drivers in Windows 10 1. What are backup drivers in Windows 10? Backup drivers in Windows 10 are copies of essential software components for hardware devices, used when the original drivers encounter issues or need to be restored. They ensure your devices continue functioning properly after system updates or failures. 2. Why do I need to back up my drivers? Backing up drivers safeguards against compatibility issues or malfunctioning drivers after OS updates, hardware failures, or malware attacks. It ensures you can revert to a known working state. 3. How do I back up drivers in Windows 10? - Using built-in tools: Go to "Settings" > "Update & Security" > "Backup," and then choose "More options." Here, you can create a system image, which will include drivers. - Third-party software: Tools like DriverMax or Double Driver offer driver backup and restore functionality. 4. How do I restore backed-up drivers? In "Device Manager," locate the device you want to restore, right-click, and select "Properties." Go to the "Driver" tab, click "Roll Back Driver" (if available) or "Uninstall Device," then manually install the driver from the backup location. 5. Does backing up drivers affect system performance? Backing up drivers itself doesn't affect system performance. However, if your hard drive space is limited, backup files may take up significant space, potentially impacting overall performance. 6. Should I regularly back up my drivers? It depends on your needs and system stability. If you frequently update hardware or the OS, regularly backing up drivers is a good practice. For general users, backing up before major updates should suffice. 7. Do I need to back up all drivers? Not necessarily. It's crucial to back up drivers related to hardware devices, especially those causing system crashes or functionality loss. Standard drivers managed by Windows 10 might not require separate backups. 8. Can backed-up drivers be used on different versions of Windows 10? Generally, backed-up drivers should work on the same or downward-compatible Windows 10 versions. However, not all drivers are compatible with every version, so it's best to restore on a similar or newer system version. 9. Are previous driver backups useful after upgrading hardware? After upgrading hardware, old drivers may no longer apply. However, the backup is still useful, as it might contain drivers for other devices or serve as a fallback if rollback is needed for new hardware. 10. Can I back up and share drivers? You can back up drivers, but sharing them may be subject to manufacturer license restrictions. Ensure you have the right to use backed-up drivers and that they're compatible with the recipient's hardware.

This article offers three ways to back up drivers in Windows 10. Here are some common questions about backing up Windows.

1. How to back up an entire Windows drive?

You can use Backup and Restore (Windows 7) to create a system image, which backs up your entire Windows drive.

Step 1: Open the Control Panel and find Backup and Restore.

Step 2: Choose “Create a system image.”

Step 3: Choose the destination, and start the backup.

How do I find my driver?

You can find your driver by opening Device Manager.

Step 1: Open Device Manager from the Start menu.

Step 2: Select a category, then right-click.

Step 3: Click on the Driver tab, where you can see the driver version.

3. Where are Windows 10 drivers stored?

In Windows 10, drivers are typically stored in the C:\Windows\System32\drivers directory. This is also the case for other versions of Windows.