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Update or Change a Device Driver

Applies To: Windows Server 2008

This topic provides a procedure that you can use to update or change the device driver used for a device.

Membership in the local Administrators group, or equivalent, is the minimum required to complete this procedure. Review the details in "Additional considerations" in this topic.

Updating or changing a device driver

You can use the following methods to update or change a device driver:

  • Using Device Manager to update or change a device driver

  • Using PnPUtil at a command line to update or change a device driver

Using Device Manager to update or change a device driver

To update or change a device driver by using Device Manager

  1. Open Device Manager.

  2. Double-click the type of device you want to update or change.

  3. Right-click the device you want, and then click Update Driver.

  4. Follow the instructions in the Update Driver Software wizard.

Using PnPUtil at a command line to update or change a device driver

To update or change a device driver by using PnPUtil at a command line

  1. Open a command prompt with the Run as administrator option.

  2. At the command prompt, type the following, and then press ENTER:

    Pnputil -i -adrivername.inf

Value Description

-i

Specifies that the device driver is to be installed.

-a

Specifies that the device driver is to be staged in the driver store.

drivername.inf

Specifies the path and file name of the .inf file associated with the driver package.

Formatting legend

Format Meaning

Italic

Information that the user must supply

Bold

Elements that the user must type exactly as shown

Additional considerations

  • When you are upgrading a driver or installing new hardware, your computer will automatically attempt to check folders specified in the DevicePath registry entry and the Windows Update Web site for an appropriate device driver.

  • By default, membership in the local Administrators group, or equivalent, is the minimum required to install a device whose driver package is not already in the driver store. A standard user can successfully install a driver package only if the following conditions are met: