The pnputil
command is a powerful tool in Windows used for managing device drivers. It allows you to install new drivers, remove unused ones, list installed drivers, and export drivers for backup or transfer to other systems. This command-line utility is particularly useful for system administrators who need to automate driver management across multiple devices.
What is the pnputil Command?
The pnputil
command is used in Windows for managing drivers installed on the system. It offers functionalities such as installing new drivers, removing old or unused drivers, exporting drivers for backup, and listing all installed drivers. This tool is particularly beneficial for managing drivers in bulk, making it essential for system administrators.
Main Uses
- Install Drivers: Add new device drivers to the system.
- Remove Drivers: Free up disk space by removing unused or outdated drivers.
- List Installed Drivers: Display a list of all drivers installed on the system.
- Export Drivers: Export drivers for backup or transfer to another system.
How to Use the pnputil Command
You must run the pnputil
command with administrator privileges. To do so, open Command Prompt as an administrator. This command allows you to handle various driver management tasks, from installing and deleting drivers to managing the driver store.
Basic Syntax
pnputil /add-driver <driver file> [/install]
pnputil /delete-driver <INF file> [/uninstall]
pnputil /enum-drivers
pnputil /export-driver <folder>
Option | Description |
---|---|
/add-driver | Adds the specified driver file to the driver store. |
/install | Installs the specified driver file in addition to adding it. |
/delete-driver | Removes the specified driver by its INF file. |
/uninstall | Uninstalls the driver and removes related files. |
/enum-drivers | Lists all installed drivers on the system. |
/export-driver | Exports drivers to the specified folder. |
Example Usages
- Installing a Driver
Use a driver file (INF file) to install a new driver on the system.
pnputil /add-driver C:\drivers\example.inf /install
Description: Installs the driver located at C:\drivers\example.inf
and adds it to the system driver store.
- Removing a Driver
Delete an unused or unwanted driver from the system.
pnputil /delete-driver oem0.inf /uninstall
Description: Uninstalls and removes the driver identified by oem0.inf
.
- Listing Installed Drivers
Display a list of all drivers currently installed on the system.
pnputil /enum-drivers
Description: Lists all drivers installed on the system, including their names, versions, and installation locations.
- Exporting Drivers
Export all installed drivers to a specified folder for backup or transfer.
pnputil /export-driver * C:\exported-drivers
Description: Exports all installed drivers to C:\exported-drivers
, making them ready for backup or deployment on other systems.
Practical Applications of pnputil
Managing Multiple Drivers
If you need to install or remove multiple drivers at once, you can incorporate the pnputil
command into batch files or scripts for automated driver management. This is particularly useful in enterprise environments where managing drivers on multiple machines is necessary.
pnputil /add-driver C:\drivers\printer.inf /install
pnputil /add-driver C:\drivers\audio.inf /install
pnputil /enum-drivers
Description: Installs both the printer and audio drivers, then lists all installed drivers for verification.
Removing Unnecessary Drivers
By removing outdated or unused drivers, you can free up disk space and improve system performance. This is especially useful if old drivers remain after hardware changes.
pnputil /delete-driver oem1.inf /uninstall
pnputil /delete-driver oem2.inf /uninstall
Description: Removes two outdated drivers, freeing up system resources and ensuring no unnecessary drivers are loaded.
Exporting and Backing Up Drivers
If you’re migrating drivers to a new system or creating a backup, the pnputil
export feature can be used to save all currently installed drivers.
pnputil /export-driver * C:\backup-drivers
Description: Exports all installed drivers to C:\backup-drivers
, making them available for backup or transfer to another system.
Important Considerations
- Administrator Privileges: You must run the
pnputil
command as an administrator to perform driver installations, deletions, or exports. - Driver Compatibility: Ensure that the driver you are installing is compatible with your system and hardware to prevent potential issues.
- Critical Driver Removal: Be cautious when removing drivers, especially those in use, as this can lead to system instability or device malfunction.
When to Use the pnputil Command
The pnputil
command is essential for efficiently managing drivers in scenarios such as:
- Deploying drivers across multiple systems.
- Backing up and exporting drivers for later use.
- Cleaning up old or unused drivers to optimize system performance.
Conclusion
The pnputil
command is a versatile and powerful tool for managing drivers in Windows. From installing and removing drivers to exporting them for backups, this tool streamlines driver management and enhances system performance. For system administrators and power users, mastering pnputil
ensures smooth, efficient driver maintenance.
Thank you for reading!
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