How to check loaded drivers?

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  1. Posts : 12
    Windows 10
       #1

    How to check loaded drivers?


    I'm not asking for installed drivers, i'm asking for loaded drivers that are IN USE at the very moment I see em. Because when i type pnputil /enum-drivers i get drivers that are the same but different versions like

    How to check loaded drivers?-image.png

    So my question is how can i check WHICH driver is currently loaded in-use (not just installed) and which one isn't? Cuz then i can delete the ones that aren't loaded since those are most likely leftover drivers of past installations and past versions
      My Computer

  2.   My Computer


  3. Posts : 30
    Win10 Home 64-bit 21H2
       #3

    Just be aware of what DriverView is showing you. It may not be what you expect.

    Device Manager reports the driver version, whereas for some items DriverView reports the file version (which you can find in Device Manager by clicking on "Driver Details" button under the Driver tab).
    I think Device Manager is more correct here, or at least more useful. Usually when we investigate driver issues, we want to know the driver version.
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  4. Posts : 18,044
    Win 10 Pro 64-bit v1909 - Build 18363 Custom ISO Install
       #4

    Hello @Joe123456,

    Type the following into a CMD Prompt and press Enter . . .

    Code:
    
    PowerShell "Get-WmiObject -Class Win32_SystemDriver | Select State, Started, Status, Name, DisplayName | Where-Object {$_.State -eq 'Running'} | Sort-Object -Property State, Name | Format-Table -Autosize | Out-String -Width 1000"
    

    It will list ALL the Loaded & Running drivers.

    I hope this helps.
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 9,765
    Mac OS Catalina
       #5

    Paul Black said:
    Hello @Joe123456,

    Type the following into a CMD Prompt and press Enter . . .

    Code:
    
    PowerShell "Get-WmiObject -Class Win32_SystemDriver | Select State, Started, Status, Name, DisplayName | Where-Object {$_.State -eq 'Running'} | Sort-Object -Property State, Name | Format-Table -Autosize | Out-String -Width 1000"
    

    It will list ALL the Loaded & Running drivers.

    I hope this helps.
    Why do all of that when you can do it in Device Manager with a simple click of the mouse. windows 7 - Where do I find the device drivers in the task manager? - Super User.
    Last edited by bro67; 16 Jun 2022 at 10:45.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 42,737
    Win 10 Pro (22H2) (2nd PC is 22H2)
       #6

    Task manager? Really? Try searching the article for that...
      My Computers


  7. Posts : 18,044
    Win 10 Pro 64-bit v1909 - Build 18363 Custom ISO Install
       #7

    Hello @bro67,

    bro67 said:
    Why do all of that when you can do it in Task Manager with a simple click of the mouse.
    Well I looked at the article and tried . . .

    If you want to see all drivers loaded, open your windows device manager, go to "Show" tab and select "Show hidden devices", you will be able to see all drivers installed on your system.
    . . . and I see nowehere that they are listed !!!
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 2,800
    Windows 7 Pro
       #8

    this CMD removes all drivers not in uses from the Driverstore. I use it before exporting drivers for recovery and it lightens a lot the Drivers Backup size.

    ClnDrvStor.cmd
    Code:
    @echo off
    ::Run This Cmd to cleanup DriverStore FileRepository
    Echo.
    Echo This Will Remove All unused Drivers From DriverStore
    Echo.
    Pause
    
    for /L %%A in (1,1,300) do (
      echo Deleting OEM%%A.INF
      pnputil /d OEM%%A.INF
    )

    It's a crude way to do it but it does recover lots of space.
    If you have Printers / scanners or any USB controller, make sure that everything is online before running that.
      My Computers


  9. Posts : 18,044
    Win 10 Pro 64-bit v1909 - Build 18363 Custom ISO Install
       #9

    Hello @MaloK,

    MaloK said:
    If you have Printers / Scanners or any USB Controller, make sure that everything is online before running that.
    If a device is NOT plugged in/attached when running the program, the Drivers will being REMOVED and NOT available in the Drivers Backup file, and will therefore need to be re-installed [ Automatically or Manually ].

    I think I am right in saying that if you create a System Restore Point PRIOR to running the program, you are able to retrieve the REMOVED Drivers, and then you can run the program again.
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 2,800
    Windows 7 Pro
       #10

    Yes, a system restore is good.

    It does not apply to portable devices, only all others are included. the device will have to be re-installed Automatically or Manually, if removed by "error".

    These are not required for a system recovery.

    I always treat these devices (printers / scanners / faxes) independently. GPO deployment for printers and faxes / case by case for multi-functions and scanners.
      My Computers


 

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