Re: driver updates, see How to temporarily prevent a driver update from reinstalling in Windows 10
In System 32\Drivers the working driver appears on its own, with the later version number. If Windows updates to 1607 again, I know I can point it to the backup folder to find the driver, but how do I know which is the correct one so I can delete the other? Or can I manually copy the working .sys file from System 32\Drivers, save it somewhere and point Windows to that, or copy it back over?
Each driver is defined by its "driver package". The driver package is the set of driver files that set up and implement the h/w interface. Every driver has an INF file in its package. The driver INF tells Windows:
- List of devices the driver supports
- List of files in the driver package and their destination directory when the driver is installed
- Registry modifications and new service definitions needed when the driver is installed
That means you shouldn't try copying individual files by hand to install a driver (like .sys files). Let Windows do the job for you as there may be many different files and changes required to install the driver.
When you look in Device Manager, the driver date and version number you see is the info found in the driver INF file. When Windows installs 3rd party drivers, it renames the Original driver INF filename to oemxx.inf (where xx whatever number sequence Windows wants to choose next). This is called the "Published filename". To understand the currently installed driver you need to know the Original driver filename and version number. To get the Original filename
- In device manager, right click the device->Properties->Details tab. Select Inf name from the pull down menu. It displays oem published filename. Jot it down
- From an admin command prompt type dism /online /get-drivers to find the Original INF filename for the published name.
/* EDIT start */
When you do a driver backup, the folder name includes the Original filename. The folder contains the driver package.
/* EDIT end */
Example output below
Code:
C:\WINDOWS\system32>dism /online /get-drivers
Deployment Image Servicing and Management tool
Version: 10.0.14393.0
Image Version: 10.0.14393.0
Obtaining list of 3rd party drivers from the driver store...
Driver packages listing:
Published Name : oem0.inf
Original File Name : ipcdless.inf
Inbox : No
Class Name : HIDClass
Provider Name : Microsoft
Date : 12/12/2013
Version : 9.5.172.0
Published Name : oem1.inf
Original File Name : netrtwlanu.inf
Inbox : No
Class Name : Net
Provider Name : NETGEAR Inc.
Date : 12/10/2015
Version : 1030.3.831.2015
Published Name : oem10.inf
Original File Name : ssudbus.inf
Inbox : No
Class Name : USB
Provider Name : SAMSUNG Electronics Co., Ltd.
Date : 7/4/2016
Version : 2.12.3.0
Published Name : oem11.inf
Original File Name : hpvpl09.inf
Inbox : No
Class Name : Printer
Provider Name : HP
Date : 9/6/2012
Version : 9.84.0.1189
Published Name : oem12.inf
Original File Name : e_jf1kde.inf
Inbox : No
Class Name : Printer
Provider Name : EPSON
Date : 7/22/2015
Version : 2.32.0.0
Published Name : oem14.inf
Original File Name : ssudmdm.inf
Inbox : No
Class Name : Modem
Provider Name : SAMSUNG Electronics Co., Ltd.
Date : 7/4/2016
Version : 2.12.3.0
Published Name : oem15.inf
Original File Name : hpwia_oj6700.inf
Inbox : No
Class Name : Image
Provider Name : Hewlett-Packard
Date : 7/19/2011
Version : 26.0.0.0
Published Name : oem16.inf
Original File Name : e1k6332.inf
Inbox : No
Class Name : Net
Provider Name : Intel
Date : 7/12/2012
Version : 12.1.77.0
Published Name : oem17.inf
Original File Name : ssudsdb.inf
Inbox : No
Class Name : USB
Provider Name : SAMSUNG Electronics Co., Ltd.
Date : 12/2/2015
Version : 2.12.1.0
Published Name : oem18.inf
Original File Name : hpoj6700_fax.inf
Inbox : No
Class Name : Printer
Provider Name : HP
Date : 6/13/2012
Version : 3.0.0.0
Published Name : oem19.inf
Original File Name : ss_conn_usb_driver.inf
Inbox : No
Class Name : USB
Provider Name : SAMSUNG Electronics Co., Ltd.
Date : 12/2/2015
Version : 2.12.1.0
Published Name : oem2.inf
Original File Name : intcdaud.inf
Inbox : No
Class Name : MEDIA
Provider Name : Intel(R) Corporation
Date : 1/8/2010
Version : 6.12.0.3041
Published Name : oem20.inf
Original File Name : ssudadb.inf
Inbox : No
Class Name : AndroidUsbDeviceClass
Provider Name : SAMSUNG Electronics Co., Ltd.
Date : 12/2/2015
Version : 2.12.1.0
Published Name : oem21.inf
Original File Name : iaahci.inf
Inbox : No
Class Name : hdc
Provider Name : Intel
Date : 3/3/2010
Version : 9.6.0.1014
Published Name : oem22.inf
Original File Name : dc3du.inf
Inbox : No
Class Name : USB
Provider Name : Microsoft
Date : 12/12/2013
Version : 9.5.172.0
Published Name : oem23.inf
Original File Name : gkupro2d.inf
Inbox : No
Class Name : SmartCardReader
Provider Name : Dell
Date : 8/31/2009
Version : 4.0.8.5
Published Name : oem24.inf
Original File Name : r6200v2.inf
Inbox : No
Class Name : Network Infrastructure Devices
Provider Name : NETGEAR
Date : 8/2/2013
Version : 1.0.1.16
Published Name : oem25.inf
Original File Name : igdlh.inf
Inbox : No
Class Name : Display
Provider Name : Intel Corporation
Date : 3/11/2013
Version : 8.15.10.2702
Published Name : oem26.inf
Original File Name : e1911.inf
Inbox : No
Class Name : Monitor
Provider Name : Dell Inc.
Date : 6/10/2010
Version : 1.0.0.0
Published Name : oem27.inf
Original File Name : del200fx.inf
Inbox : No
Class Name : Modem
Provider Name : Conexant
Date : 5/5/2009
Version : 7.80.4.0
Published Name : oem28.inf
Original File Name : heci.inf
Inbox : No
Class Name : System
Provider Name : Intel
Date : 6/23/2009
Version : 5.2.0.1008
Published Name : oem29.inf
Original File Name : usb_ant_siusbxp_3_1.inf
Inbox : No
Class Name : USB
Provider Name : Silicon Labs Software
Date : 2/6/2007
Version : 3.1.0.0
Published Name : oem3.inf
Original File Name : bcmwl6.inf
Inbox : No
Class Name : Net
Provider Name : Broadcom
Date : 7/7/2009
Version : 5.30.21.0
Published Name : oem31.inf
Original File Name : esef.inf
Inbox : No
Class Name : Image
Provider Name : EPSON
Date : 2/21/2013
Version : 1.0.0.0
Published Name : oem32.inf
Original File Name : tcm.inf
Inbox : No
Class Name : System
Provider Name : ZTEIC DESIGN CO.,LTD
Date : 5/4/2009
Version : 2.1.5.4
Published Name : oem33.inf
Original File Name : usbaapl.inf
Inbox : No
Class Name : USB
Provider Name : Apple, Inc.
Date : 5/18/2015
Version : 6.0.9999.67
Published Name : oem35.inf
Original File Name : ssudnd5.inf
Inbox : No
Class Name : Net
Provider Name : SAMSUNG Electronics Co., Ltd.
Date : 1/2/2014
Version : 2.11.7.0
Published Name : oem36.inf
Original File Name : ssudobex.inf
Inbox : No
Class Name : Ports
Provider Name : SAMSUNG Electronics Co., Ltd.
Date : 1/2/2014
Version : 2.11.7.0
Published Name : oem37.inf
Original File Name : ssudcdf.inf
Inbox : No
Class Name : USB
Provider Name : SAMSUNG Electronics Co., Ltd.
Date : 1/2/2014
Version : 2.11.7.0
Published Name : oem38.inf
Original File Name : ssudmtp.inf
Inbox : No
Class Name : WPD
Provider Name : SAMSUNG Electronics Co., Ltd.
Date : 1/2/2014
Version : 2.11.7.0
Published Name : oem4.inf
Original File Name : mesrl.inf
Inbox : No
Class Name : Ports
Provider Name : Intel
Date : 7/6/2009
Version : 5.5.1.1012
Published Name : oem40.inf
Original File Name : ssudeadb.inf
Inbox : No
Class Name : USB
Provider Name : SAMSUNG Electronics Co., Ltd.
Date : 1/2/2014
Version : 2.11.7.0
Published Name : oem42.inf
Original File Name : ssudadb.inf
Inbox : No
Class Name : AndroidUsbDeviceClass
Provider Name : SAMSUNG Electronics Co., Ltd.
Date : 1/2/2014
Version : 2.11.7.0
Published Name : oem44.inf
Original File Name : ssudrnds.inf
Inbox : No
Class Name : Net
Provider Name : SAMSUNG Electronics Co., Ltd.
Date : 1/2/2014
Version : 2.11.7.0
Published Name : oem47.inf
Original File Name : ssuddmgr.inf
Inbox : No
Class Name : Ports
Provider Name : SAMSUNG Electronics Co., Ltd.
Date : 1/2/2014
Version : 2.11.7.0
Published Name : oem48.inf
Original File Name : ssudrmnet.inf
Inbox : No
Class Name : USB
Provider Name : SAMSUNG Electronics Co., Ltd.
Date : 1/2/2014
Version : 2.11.7.0
Published Name : oem49.inf
Original File Name : ssudmarv.inf
Inbox : No
Class Name : USB
Provider Name : SAMSUNG Electronics Co., Ltd.
Date : 1/2/2014
Version : 2.11.7.0
Published Name : oem5.inf
Original File Name : unifhid.inf
Inbox : No
Class Name : HIDClass
Provider Name : Logitech
Date : 9/9/2016
Version : 1.10.78.0
Published Name : oem52.inf
Original File Name : ssudrmnetmp.inf
Inbox : No
Class Name : Net
Provider Name : SAMSUNG Electronics Co., Ltd.
Date : 1/2/2014
Version : 2.11.7.0
Published Name : oem53.inf
Original File Name : ssudserd.inf
Inbox : No
Class Name : Ports
Provider Name : SAMSUNG Electronics Co., Ltd.
Date : 1/2/2014
Version : 2.11.7.0
Published Name : oem55.inf
Original File Name : ssudadb.inf
Inbox : No
Class Name : AndroidUsbDeviceClass
Provider Name : SAMSUNG Electronics Co., Ltd.
Date : 2/16/2012
Version : 2.9.317.215
Published Name : oem58.inf
Original File Name : ssudrmnetmp.inf
Inbox : No
Class Name : Net
Provider Name : SAMSUNG Electronics Co., Ltd.
Date : 2/16/2012
Version : 2.9.317.215
Published Name : oem6.inf
Original File Name : netaapl.inf
Inbox : No
Class Name : Net
Provider Name : Apple
Date : 7/15/2013
Version : 1.8.5.1
Published Name : oem61.inf
Original File Name : ssudeadb.inf
Inbox : No
Class Name : USB
Provider Name : SAMSUNG Electronics Co., Ltd.
Date : 2/16/2012
Version : 2.9.317.215
Published Name : oem64.inf
Original File Name : prnms009.inf
Inbox : No
Class Name : Printer
Provider Name : Microsoft
Date : 6/21/2006
Version : 10.0.14393.0
Published Name : oem65.inf
Original File Name : prnms001.inf
Inbox : No
Class Name : Printer
Provider Name : Microsoft
Date : 6/21/2006
Version : 10.0.14393.0
Published Name : oem7.inf
Original File Name : intchdmi.inf
Inbox : No
Class Name : MEDIA
Provider Name : Intel(R) Corporation
Date : 12/14/2009
Version : 6.10.1.2087
Published Name : oem8.inf
Original File Name : prnms006.inf
Inbox : No
Class Name : Printer
Provider Name : Microsoft
Date : 4/29/2013
Version : 16.0.1626.4000
Published Name : oem9.inf
Original File Name : ant_libusb.inf
Inbox : No
Class Name : libusb-win32 devices
Provider Name : Dynastream Innovations, Inc.
Date : 4/11/2012
Version : 1.2.40.201
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