Good free driver backup

wongataa

GunJack wrote: »

I often wonder why these types of threads cause so much controversy. I've found over the years sometimes using a third-party driver checker is the only way to find some drivers for some hardware on some versions of windows, common ones being networking and gfx drivers. I currently use SlimDrivers for this, but - do I just blindly download every suggested driver? no, of course not. Usually only the ones which the Win install or manufacturer's site don't provide.

Why do you need third party software to do what you want. All you do is go to the manufacturer's website of the hardware in question and download the latest driver for the product you have. Is the issue identifying what hardware you actually have?

esuhl

GunJack wrote: »

I often wonder why these types of threads cause so much controversy.

I think it mostly comes from someone asking for help, and then petulantly saying that those trying to help are wasting their time. If these driver backup programs work for you, fair enough.

wongataa wrote: »

Why do you need third party software to do what you want. All you do is go to the manufacturer's website of the hardware in question and download the latest driver for the product you have. Is the issue identifying what hardware you actually have?

That's what I don't understand. If you're using a program to back up the drivers that are already on your PC, why don't you just back up those drivers yourself? If you're using a program to download drivers for you, why don't you just visit the relevant website and download them. Copyright issues will prevent third-parties from supplying the files themselves, so it's just a case of finding them. When you know what you're looking for, it's usually pretty easy.