What is best way to back up drivers

sindersoot

Want to reformat drivers due to clean install of windows 7. I believe you have to back up all the drivers. Anyone know the best way to do this? Please answer in simpletons terms, thanks:)

el_gringo_3

If they are hardware drivers do you have them on CD already, that came with the parts/ computer? That would be the easiest way, since you'll have to do sweet FA.

sindersoot

No, don't seem to have them. I do have a Dell disk but can't see anything about drivers being stamped on it.

Just wondering if I could do clean install and then remove old windows from the driver after having done the clean install. I understand that by not having the old windows system on pc it gives more space.

I am intending to backup everything onto external hard drive from the likes of pictures, documents etc. Can drivers be backed up at the same time as doing that?

iamadave

If your not sure if you have the driver disks etc, use http://www.drivermagician.com/ or one of the other tools, this will allow you to pick what drivers to backup then it will copy them to a folder/drive.

Then once you have formatted just copy the folder back and any drivers which are not auto installed point towards that folder.

sindersoot

Okay thanks, I had seen that website but wasn't sure if it was safe/secure.

Donnie

Free option: DriverBackup!

Donnie

I think the program in iamadave's link has a fifteen day trial period, so if you complete your endeavour in the time you should be ok.

closed

If you've got a dell, there will either be a restore partition, or the disc you have will do it all for you.

totalsolutions

sindersoot wrote: »

No, don't seem to have them. I do have a Dell disk but can't see anything about drivers being stamped on it.

Just wondering if I could do clean install and then remove old windows from the driver after having done the clean install.
I understand that by not having the old windows system on pc it gives more space.

I am intending to backup everything onto external hard drive from the likes of pictures, documents etc. Can drivers be backed up at the same time as doing that?

Some misconceptions here I think.
Drivers do not need to be saved or backed up. Newer versions will now be available and install automatically with your new Windows 7. A clean install destroys all old windows files so no worries there. PS. it does not give you more space.

No drivers need to be backed up. It would be prudent to

KillerWatt

totalsolutions wrote: »

Some misconceptions here I think.
Drivers do not need to be saved or backed up. Newer versions will now be available and install automatically with your new Windows 7.

Drivers do not automatically install themselves with any OS, although Windows may provide a default driver just to get some hardware going with very basic support.


@ Sindersoot,

As you have a Dell, simply go to their website, enter your asset tag, enter your choice of OS, and the correct drivers will be offered to you.

JasX

yes get them from the dell website, then for future installs keep them all somewhere safe burnt to CD if you ever need to reformat and rebuild in future.

I really wouldn;t bother trying to 'backup' drivers, if you have an XP machine they won;t work anyway and if you have a vista machine chances are its new enough the Dell site will certainly have all the correct up to date drivers available

(just make sure you don;t click the advert link to Driver robot by mistake (awful thing), get the individual drivers direct from dell