How to Back Up Windows XP Drivers

Drivers are files that make your hardware and software components work within Windows XP. Each major component of Windows requires a driver of some sort, and many programs are able to access generic drivers that are included with Windows XP. Drivers are stored within the Windows XP file system, but that doesn't mean they are safe from viruses or other problems. That's why it's always a good idea back up Windows XP drivers.

Difficulty:

Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Windows XP
• Blank floppy, CD-R or DVD-R

Back Up Windows XP Drivers with System Restore

1. System restore is one of the best tools for backing up drivers in Windows XP. System restore creates back-up files that are capable of restoring your system to a previous state, a valuable tool in the event that files get corrupted.

2. Click the Start menu.

3. Highlight the "All Programs" tab. Leave the mouse over the tab until the next level of the directory appears.

4. Highlight the "Accessories" tab, followed by the "System Tools" tab.

5. Click the "System Restore" menu option.

6. Click on the button next to the "Create a restore point" caption.

7. Click the "Next" button.

8. Wait while the system restore application creates a restore point. The restore point will remember all of the settings and drivers that were present at the time of creation, creating a back up of your important files.

Tips & Warnings

• Save your hardware and software installation disks. These disks ship with the necessary drivers, freeing you from having to store secondary back-up disks for your drivers.

• Update your drivers whenever newer versions are made available. Check with the manufacturer of your peripherals and hardware to determine whether updates are available.

• Never delete drivers directly from your hard drive. This will cause software and hardware conflicts that can crash your computer or render certain features inoperative. Delete drivers using the provided uninstall applications.

• Third-party device drivers may not be backed up when you do a system restore. If you need to do a system restore and your drivers aren't automatically backed up, you can always choose to "Detect New Hardware" from the System section of the control panel.

Resources

• Workarounds for third-party drivers at Microsoft.com
• System restore details at Microsoft.com