How to Identify Devices & Backup Device Drivers

Devices drivers are the programs files that facilitate smooth communication between the hardware and the operating system, letting the computer know exactly what the device can (and cannot) do. Identifying the devices on your computer is key to ensuring that you have the proper drivers, after which time you can perform a backup of your existing drivers to protect yourself against data corruption in the future.

Things You'll Need

• Driver extractor program

Instructions

Identify Devices

1. Open the "Start" menu and click on "Run."

2. Type in "msinfo32" and press "Enter."

3. Click on the "Components" menu and click on any submenu--these are the devices attached to your computer.

Backup Drivers

1. Navigate to either page linked under Resources and download a driver extractor program.

2. Save the downloaded file to your desktop and double-click on it to start the installation process.

3. Open the program and click on the "Backup Drivers" button.

4. Select a location to store the backup files and click "Start" to begin the process.

References

• Microsoft: How to Use System Information (MSINFO32) Command-line Tool Switches

Resources

• Innovatice Solutions: Driver Max
• CNET: Driver Backup