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
Double-click the type of device you want to update or change.
Right-click the device you want, and then click Update Driver.
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
Open a command prompt with the Run as administrator option.
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:
The driver package is signed with a valid digital certificate, and that certificate is in the Trusted Publishers store on the computer. For more information, see Securing Device Driver Packages with Digital Signatures.
The device setup class for the driver is in the policy Allow non-administrators to install drivers for these device setup classes. By default, limited users are prevented from installing any device. For more information, see Controlling Which Devices Can Be Installed by Standard Users.