where are the drivers stored in windows 8.1?

NowRetired

My OS at present is Windows 8.1 Preview with Media Centre Evaluation copy. Build 9431.


When the finished version of Windows 8.1 is available for download at the weekend, supposedly, I am going to wipe my computer and do a fresh install.


I was thinking to save time on downloading all the drivers for everything again and also any updates I could save them on a USB drive and update from there.


What folder would I need to save which contains all the drivers?

JJ_Egan

C/ Windows / system32/ drivers and drivers store .

But i would doubt if your idea will work as they are not exe files to install .
Never something i have tried as i always install new drivers .

cookie365

Even if it worked, I can't see it saving any time anway.

Jivesinger

NowRetired wrote: »

My OS at present is Windows 8.1 Preview with Media Centre Evaluation copy. Build 9431.


When the finished version of Windows 8.1 is available for download at the weekend, supposedly, I am going to wipe my computer and do a fresh install.

It's not clear you'll be able to do that unless you have a Technet or MSDN Subscription, or go out and buy a new copy of Windows 8.1.

Although the Preview was available as a ISO file that you could use to wipe the computer and do a clean install, Microsoft said back in August that they wouldn't make the final version of 8.1 available as an ISO file (not unless you pay full whack for a new licence), and that you'd need to install Windows 8.1 via the Windows Store.

Brandon_LeBlanc_from_Microsoft wrote:

Consumers will only be able to get Windows 8.1 for free through the Windows Store. ISO images won’t be made available broadly for consumers. For most consumers, the Windows Store is the easiest and most efficient route for updating a Windows 8 device to Windows 8.1

Seemingly this include the ability to upgrade from the 8.1 Preview (although you'd probably need to enter a Product Key).

Of course this was August so there's plenty of time for them to have changed their mind, but I wouldn't count on it just yet.

almillar

When the finished version is available, the drivers might have been updated! What you're proposing sounds like a very bad idea to me unless you're on dial-up internet or something!