Drivers on a computer are programs that are used to ensure the correct interaction of the operating system with a particular connected device. It is the old driver versions that "litter" the operating system. This can lead to incorrect operation or to complete collapse. That is why it is worth checking the registry periodically for old drivers.
Necessary
Confident use of a personal computer
Instructions
Step 1
The easiest and most affordable way nowadays is to clean the registry using a specially designed utility. An example of such a program is "Driver Sweeper".
This program makes it easy to detect and remove outdated drivers. In addition, this utility will help you install new driver versions.
This method of cleaning the registry is the safest, since the program automatically prompts you to make backup copies of the drivers, which will allow you to restore them without problems in the future.
Step 2
There is also the so-called "old-fashioned" method - manually cleaning the registry. It is a more complicated and very dangerous process. To implement it, you need to know the name of the driver. The name of the driver can be found as follows:
- Right-click on the line of the device for which you want to remove the driver;
- In the pop-up menu, select the line "Properties";
- In the window that opens, select the "Driver" tab;
- Then click on the "Details …" button;
- A window that opens separately will show information about the drivers for this device. You only need to write down the name of the driver itself, which is located at the end of the address line of the driver file (for example, disk.sys). After you find out the name of the driver, you need to call the registry. This can be done by performing the following operations:
- Call the command line from the "Start" menu (the "Run …" button);
- In the command line, write "regedit" and press "Enter". In the opened registry, press the key combination "Ctrl + F" or call "Search" from the "Edit" tab of the top menu.
In the search bar, enter the name of the driver and press "Enter".
The found file or line must be deleted by pressing the "Delete" button on the keyboard, or by selecting the "Delete" line in the context menu.
You can continue your search by pressing the F3 key on your keyboard.
