DriverStore - Folder and sub-folders deleted

I'm working on a machine, Dell Vostro 230 running V1803.

All attempts to update to a more current version fail with error relating to bad path. I also noticed I cannot update any driver even if I download drivers direct from Dell.

So I investigated and the DriverStore folder has been deleted and with it the three sub folders. This machine has had some "Malware" issues in the past. No it is not in the recycle bin, boy that would have been nice. No images available although I've implement Macrium.

An inplace repair ( using 1803 media) or an inplace repair/upgrade ( using 1909 media) fail, again, bad path.

The smart solution would be to wipe and re-install. The owner tells me this is not an option as several tax related programs cannot be re-installed.

There is a second Dell Vostro 230 in the environment running V2004.

I was considering copying the the DriverStore folder from this device into the device missing the folder.

My feeling is will likely BSOD if not immediately certainly down the line.

Any comments that might make this work?


Thanks

Nothing tried nothing gained.

I copied the DriverStore from good machine and installed on machine that was missing. Windows said it was already there. Hmmm. I searched the word "driver" and sure enough it was there. Instead of being a folder it was a file of zero bytes. Was modified Dec 21/18 at 11:55am. Now we now when this was pooched.

Had to take ownership, deleted 0 byte file, copied in the folders. Ran a driver update that complained driver wasn't signed, it was supposed to be using an MS driver. Progress, at least path was present.

Ran an inplace repair upgrade to 1909 and it succeeded, three and a half hours later. Not sure what I'm going to do with all the drivers but at least it is looking promising.


So the search engines may find.

Setupdiag gave an error 0x800700A1 Bad_Pathname

Well reran process, this time using SSD. Worked like a charm.

Drivers all appear well, no unidentified devices. I guess the driver updates that occur with Feature updates can be beneficial.

Macriums invoked, client educated, next.

Caledon Ken said:

Well reran process, this time using SSD. Worked like a charm.

Drivers all appear well, no unidentified devices. I guess the driver updates that occur with Feature updates can be beneficial.

Macriums invoked, client educated, next.

Next?

Well I think a step by step Tutorial posted to Brink should be considered.

Maybe.

I think one of my saving graces is I had two identical machines at the site, bought at the same time, albeit on different versions of Windows 10.

Before doing a tutorial I would have to test with a random DriverStore folder to determine to what extent the update process interrogates these folders.