How to Backup Drivers in Windows 10: 3 Effective Ways

In today's digital age, keeping your computer running smoothly is essential for productivity. One critical yet often overlooked task is ensuring that your system drivers are backed up.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through three effective ways to backup drivers in Windows 10, making it easy for you to safeguard your system’s essential drivers. By the end of this article, you'll be well-equipped to handle any driver-related challenges without losing valuable time or effort.

3 Ways to Backup Drivers in Windows 10

Way 1: Backup Drivers in Windows 10 via AOMEI Backupper Standard

AOMEI Backupper Standard is a powerful third-party backup solution that simplifies the process of backing up your drivers. It’s user-friendly and includes several useful features, including the ability to create full system backups, specific file backups, and, of course, driver backups.

Steps to Backup Drivers Using AOMEI Backupper:

Step 1. Download and Install AOMEI Backupper – you can download the software with the above button, and install it on your system.

Step 2. Open the program and select the “Backup” tab from the main interface, and then, choose"Disk Backup".

Step 3. Choose the drivers you want to back up. You can select all or specific drivers based on your needs.

Step 4. Click the folder-shaped button and select a destination to store the disk image.

Step 5. Then, click “Start Backup.” The software will automatically back up the drivers, and after it's done, click "Finish" to exit the interface.

Notes:✎...

With AOMEI Backupper, you can easily restore drivers as well, ensuring that you never face driver issues again.

Way 2: Backup Drivers in Windows 10 via PowerShell

PowerShell is a powerful tool built into Windows 10 that allows users to perform system-level tasks. It’s perfect for tech-savvy users who prefer a command-line interface. Using PowerShell, you can export and back up your drivers quickly.

Steps to Backup Drivers Using PowerShell:

Step 1. Open PowerShell as Administrator – Right-click the Start button, and select "Windows PowerShell (Admin)".

Step 2. Use the Export-WindowsDriver Command – In the PowerShell window, type the following command:

• Export-WindowsDriver -Online -Destination "C:\DriverBackup"

Step 3. Confirm the Backup – Once the command runs, PowerShell will back up all of your installed drivers to the specified location.

PowerShell allows you to back up all drivers at once, but you can also modify the command to target specific drivers if needed. It's efficient, but be cautious if you're not familiar with command-line interfaces.

Way 3: Backup Drivers in Windows 10 via Command Prompt

If you prefer a simpler, no-frills approach, Command Prompt can also be used to back up your drivers in Windows 10. Like PowerShell, it’s a built-in Windows tool that provides a reliable method for backing up drivers.

Steps to Backup Drivers Using Command Prompt:

Step 1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator – Press the Windows key, type “Command Prompt,” right-click it, and select “Run as administrator.”

Step 2. Use the DISM Tool – Type the following command into Command Prompt:

• dism /online /export-driver /destination:C:\DriverBackup

Step 3. Wait for the Backup to Complete – The DISM tool will begin exporting all your installed drivers to the chosen location.

This method is also effective, but if you need a more intuitive interface, AOMEI Backupper might be a better option.

Bonus: Restore the Drivers

No matter which backup method you use, it’s essential to know how to restore your drivers when needed.

How to Restore Drivers:

1. Using AOMEI Backupper: Simply open AOMEI Backupper, go to the "Restore" section, select your backup file, and follow the on-screen instructions to restore your drivers.

2. Using PowerShell: To restore drivers via PowerShell, use the Install-WindowsDriver command with the path to the backup location:

• Install-WindowsDriver -Path "C:\DriverBackup"

3. Using Command Prompt: If you used Command Prompt for backup, the drivers can be restored manually by reinstalling them through Device Manager or by using the DISM tool with a restore command.

Things You Should Know About Backup Drivers in Windows 10

Why Do You Need to Backup Drivers in Windows 10?

Backing up your drivers in Windows 10 is crucial for several reasons:

• System Recovery after Reinstallation: When you reinstall or upgrade Windows 10, all your drivers may need to be reinstalled. A backup ensures you can quickly restore them, saving time and preventing compatibility issues.
• Prevents Driver Corruption: Sometimes, drivers may become corrupted due to system crashes, software conflicts, or hardware issues. A backup allows you to restore working drivers without needing to search for or download new ones.
• Smooth Hardware Upgrades: If you upgrade hardware components like a graphics card, network adapter, or printer, having a driver backup ensures that you have the correct software for the new hardware, reducing setup time and avoiding driver mismatches.
• Troubleshooting Ease: When troubleshooting system issues, corrupt or outdated drivers are often the cause. A backup lets you easily restore the correct drivers without reinstalling them, speeding up the troubleshooting process manually.
• Avoids Internet Dependency: Some older or less common drivers may not be readily available online. A backup ensures that you have all the necessary drivers on hand, even if you can't access the internet or find the drivers through other means.

Is Backup of Drivers in Windows 10 Enough?

While backing up your drivers is crucial, it's not the only precaution you should take. It’s equally important to back up your files, applications, and system settings. Having a complete system backup will help you recover your entire PC, not just the drivers, in case of a major failure.

You can use AOMEI Backupper to make daily drivers/system backups to protect your Windows data comprehensively.

Your Turn

Backing up drivers in Windows 10 is an essential step to ensure your system remains stable and functional during updates, installations, and troubleshooting. Whether you choose to use a third-party solution like AOMEI Backupper or rely on built-in tools like PowerShell and Command Prompt, the important thing is to have a backup ready before you make any major changes to your system.

By following one of the methods outlined in this guide, you'll be able to protect your drivers and easily restore them when necessary, keeping your Windows 10 system running smoothly and efficiently.