Transferring Drivers Between PCs: Detailed Instructions

To transfer drivers from one PC to another, follow these instructions. You can use these methods for both Windows and Mac computers. First, copy the driver folder to a flash drive or cloud server. Then, install them on the new PC or Mac using Device Manager (Windows) or Finder (Mac).

Key Takeaways:

• Moving a drive from an AMD to an Intel/Nvidia machine can work smoothly, showing compatibility between different systems¹.
• Transferring a Windows drive to a new PC allows for quick access to data after an old PC fails. It acts as a temporary fix¹.
• If you’re moving to a new machine for good, it’s wise to start fresh with a clean install¹.
• Windows can often install needed drivers automatically, especially with an internet connection. This makes the process easier¹.
• In some cases, specific drivers like chipset, audio, and graphics might need manual downloading if not auto-installed by Windows¹.
• It’s a good plan to remove old drivers during driver migration. It helps keep the system clean¹.
• Switching the drive to a new computer may need Windows re-activation due to hardware changes. This step resolves potential license issues¹.
• Windows keeps a copy of each installed driver in C:\Windows\System32\DriverStore\FileRepository. Each driver is in a separate folder, listed alphabetically².

Method 1: Transferring Drivers on Windows

To transfer drivers on Windows, start by opening File Explorer. Press Win+e on your keyboard. This opens up your files and folders.

In File Explorer, head to C:\Windows\System32\DriverStore\FileRepository. This spot is where Windows keeps each installed driver². You’ll see folders for each driver, sorted alphabetically².

Find the driver folder you need to move. Right-click it and choose “Copy.” Next, paste it onto a flash drive. Or, if without a flash drive, use a cloud server like Google Drive. Then download it onto another PC².

With the driver folder on a flash drive, plug it into the other PC. Then open File Explorer there and go to the desktop. Move the driver folder from the flash to the desktop.

Now, open Device Manager on this second computer. Right-click the Start button and click “Device Manager.” The Device Manager window pops open. Look for the device group you’re updating.

Right-click the device and pick “Properties.” Click the “Driver” tab then “Browse” to find the driver folder on the desktop. Then, follow the directions Windows gives to install the driver².

These steps make transferring drivers between Windows PCs straightforward. Using File Explorer and Device Manager helps. Ensure you copy the whole driver folder to not miss any files.

Method 2: Transferring Drivers on Mac

To move drivers to your Mac, use the Finder to shift needed driver folders between machines. Just follow these steps:

1. Open Finder.
2. While pressing the Option key, hit the “Go” menu. This shows the Library option.
3. Choose “Library.”
4. Double-tap the folder for the drivers you wish to move. For printers, select the “Printers” folder.
5. Copy the folder onto a USB drive.
6. Plug the USB into the other Mac you’re moving the drivers to.
7. Open Finder on this Mac.
8. Find the flash drive in the sidebar.
9. Look for the copied driver folder on the drive.
10. Drag this folder to the right spot on the second Mac’s drive, often “Macintosh HD”.

This method makes sure your second Mac has the drivers, working smoothly.

Moving drivers on Mac is easy, making sure your devices work right. Using Finder’s easy-to-use steps and a flash drive, you can move driver folders between Macs without trouble.

“Using Finder to transfer drivers on a Mac is easy and works well. It lets you move vital driver folders, ensuring devices work together without a hitch.”³

Consider Using Driver Extraction Software

If you’re not sure how to copy drivers yourself, think about using special software. This software can find and pull out drivers from your old computer. It makes it easy to set them up on a new one.

There are big plusses to using driver extraction software. It saves you time and hassle, especially if the hardware is old or hard to support⁴. shows finding drivers online can be tough for old, rare, or unsupported hardware. For instance, the “Ralink RT61 Turbo” adapter bought in 2009 worked on Windows Vista/7 but not on newer systems without updates.

Driver extraction tools simplify getting drivers from your old computer. Commands like “pnputil.exe /e,” “dism.exe /Online /Get-Drivers,” and “driverquery” can list drivers. This ensures you get all the files you need for your new machine.

The “DriverStore” folder is key for Windows users. You find it at C:\Windows\System32\DriverStore\FileRepository, as⁴ suggests. It holds all the driver files you need. Copying drivers from here to a new folder makes installing them on another Windows PC easy.

Double Driver is another useful tool. It’s highlighted by⁴ for its ability to backup drivers. It puts them into a folder for easy access later. Plus, it has a simple GUI for choosing drivers to backup or restore.

Extra stats, like how often people backup drivers, can tell us more about these software’s benefits. It also shows how many drivers typically get backed up.

To wrap up, using driver extraction software is a smart move when switching PCs or Macs. It simplifies the process and makes sure you have what you need for a smooth setup. As⁴ notes, these tools make the job easier and save you from dealing with hard-to-find or outdated hardware.

Recommended Software Tools for Driver Removal:

Be careful when extracting drivers. As⁵ advises, some drivers need special steps or multiple tools for extraction. For instance, Chipset and IRST drivers might need command line steps and a restore point created first. Ideally, extract drivers to a temporary folder, like “C:\Users\USER\AppData\Local\Temp”. And remember, pulling out drivers the wrong way could mess up your system, as warned by⁵.

Ensuring Compatibility and Updating Drivers

When moving drivers from old to new PCs or Macs, checking compatibility is key. Make sure the hardware specs of both devices match. This ensures the drivers will work well together.

After moving drivers, updating them to the latest version is wise. This keeps them compatible and boosts performance with the new system. Out-of-date drivers can cause slow performance, system issues, and security risks⁶.

There are a few ways to update drivers for better compatibility. One handy tool is Windows Update. It not only gives you system patches but also driver updates. This keeps your system current and works well with different hardware⁷. Another option is using Device Manager. This lets you update specific drivers by yourself⁶.

To get the latest enhancements for your device, download drivers from the manufacturers’ websites. This way, you’re sure to have the newest drivers made just for your device⁶.

For an easier approach, there are tools that update drivers with just one click. They help avoid the trouble of finding and updating drivers manually. These tools are a real time-saver⁶.

However, be aware that updating drivers might cause issues with existing software. If this happens, going back to a previous driver version can fix the problem. System restore points are also helpful in these situations⁶.

Companies with many PCs will find endpoint management tools like NinjaOne very helpful. They make updating drivers and managing IT tasks simpler. With these tools, you can ensure all your devices are up to date and working well together⁶.

Common Issues and Troubleshooting

During the driver transfer, you might face issues that disrupt the process. Knowing how to solve these can save you time and frustration. Here are some common problems and how to fix them:

1. Error Messages and Timeouts ⁹

Error messages might pop up, indicating trouble with the driver installation. For instance, error code 0x000005B4 (ERROR_TIMEOUT) means it took too long and stopped. To fix this, restart the installation, check your internet, or contact the manufacturer’s support.

2. Incompatible Drivers ¹⁰

Sometimes, the drivers don’t match with your PC or Mac, causing errors. If this happens, check the manufacturer’s website for support. They might have updates or instructions to fix the issue.

3. Group Policy Blocking ⁹

Error code 0xe0000248 (ERROR_DEVICE_INSTALL_BLOCKED) shows that a group policy stopped the installation. To solve this, look at your system’s Group Policy settings. Ensure there’s nothing stopping the driver installation.

4. Query Remove Operation Delays ⁹

Error codes 0x000001e0 and 0x000001e1 point to delays in query remove operations, causing delays. Fix this by closing unneeded apps, delaying other tasks, or retrying the installation after restarting your system.

5. Unknown Devices and Hardware Issues ¹¹¹⁰,

Unknown devices might show up in Device Manager for reasons like outdated drivers or faulty hardware. Use Windows Update or download the latest drivers from the manufacturer’s website. For more complex issues, try starting in safe mode, checking the Startup folder, using System Information, and looking at Setupapi.log. For hardware problems, remove devices one by one and check if drivers are signed.

If you run into these issues, stay calm and look for solutions online or on the manufacturer’s website. Understanding these problems helps ensure a smooth and efficient driver transfer.

This link offers information on Mac features, setup, customization, and more to enhance your Mac knowledge.

Best Practices for Driver Transfers

To make driver transfers easy, it’s key to follow tried and true steps. This saves time and stops problems during the transfer. Here’s what you should do:

1. Organize Your Drivers

Start by sorting your drivers. Make different folders for categories like graphics, audio, and network drivers. This helps find and transfer what you need quickly and accurately¹².

2. Back Up Your Drivers

It’s important to regularly back up your drivers. This is vital for system crashes, hardware changes, or reinstallation needs. Keep backups in a safe place, such as an external drive or the cloud. This way, you’ll always have access to your drivers¹².

3. Choose the Right Tools

Different tools can help with driver transfers. Here are some choices:

• PC data transfer software makes moving drivers and files to a new computer easy. EaseUS Todo PCTrans is one tool that does this¹².
• For file moving, USB flash drives are a common choice. They work well with fast USB ports like USB 3.0 or USB4¹³.
• Cloud storage, like Microsoft OneDrive, Dropbox, or Google Drive, is great for transferring smaller files from one computer to another¹².
• For older Windows versions, a USB transfer cable can be a quicker way to move files¹².
• Backup software, like AOMEI Backupper, supports backups that can be restored on different devices. It has a special feature allowing hard drive transfers to new computers without needing to reinstall Windows. AOMEI Backupper also offers business editions for wider deployment¹²¹⁴.

4. Ensure Compatibility and Update Drivers

When moving drivers, ensure they’ll work with the new hardware. Using the latest drivers from their manufacturer helps with better performance and fixing bugs. After transferring, check for updates to keep your system running smoothly¹⁴.

5. Troubleshoot and Seek Guidance

If you run into problems, plenty of guides can help. These include steps for using backup software effectively. For more help, customer support and online forums are great resources¹².

By keeping these practices in mind, you’ll make your driver transfer more efficient. This ensures a hassle-free setup for your new computer or when moving drivers between PCs.

Conclusion

Moving drivers between PCs and Macs can be easy if you follow some steps. You can copy the driver folders or use special software to move drivers. This makes sure they work well on the new system. Keeping drivers updated is important for your system’s performance.

Using EaseUS Todo PCTrans, according to¹⁵1, simplifies the transferring process. It lets you move up to 5 programs for free between PCs, even without an internet connection. This tool is great for moving all kinds of software without needing to install them again on Windows 11/10 and 7.

¹⁶2 outlines effective methods for moving installed programs on Windows 10/11. You can use a USB drive, log into your Microsoft account, use OneDrive, or a tool like AOMEI Partition Assistant. Each method helps you transfer programs to a new computer easily.

To make sure you settle into your new PC or Mac smoothly, solve any problems that come up. Follow the best steps for moving drivers and enjoy using a system that works perfectly on your new device.

Source Links

1. https://www.pcmag.com/how-to/move-your-windows-drive-to-a-new-pc – Good Migrations: How to Move Your Windows Drive to a New PC
2. https://www.wikihow.com/Copy-Drivers-from-One-Computer-to-Another-on-PC-or-Mac – How to Copy Drivers from One Computer to Another on PC or Mac
3. https://www.easeus.com/backup-utility/how-to-transfer-operating-system-from-one-computer-to-another.html – How to Transfer Operating System from One Computer to Another | 2024 New Tip
4. https://www.techspot.com/guides/1714-export-old-device-windows-drivers/ – How to Export Old Device Drivers to a New Windows Installation
5. https://winraid.level1techs.com/t/tip-how-to-extract-drivers-from-different-types-of-driver-packages/33814 – TIP : How to extract drivers from different types of driver packages ?
6. https://www.ninjaone.com/blog/how-to-update-drivers-on-pcs/ – How to Update Drivers on PCs | Full Guide | NinjaOne
7. https://www.driversupport.com/knowledge-article/how-do-you-know-which-drivers-need-updating/ – How Do You Know Which Drivers Need Updating?
8. https://www.linkedin.com/advice/0/how-do-you-keep-your-hardware-drivers-firmware – How do you keep your hardware drivers and firmware current?
9. https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-hardware/drivers/install/troubleshooting-device-and-driver-installations – Troubleshooting Device and Driver Installations – Windows drivers
10. https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/topic/how-to-troubleshoot-unknown-devices-that-are-listed-in-device-manager-in-windows-xp-3acd0b45-2427-29cb-a85b-3778225fa48f – How to troubleshoot unknown devices that are listed in Device Manager in Windows XP
11. https://www.driversupport.com/knowledge-article/fix-device-driver-problems-in-windows/ – Fix Device Driver Problems in Windows
12. https://www.easeus.com/pc-transfer/transfer-files-from-old-pc-to-new-pc-in-windows-10.html – How Do I Transfer Everything from My Old Computer to My New Computer?
13. https://www.makeuseof.com/tag/5-ways-to-transfer-files-from-one-computer-to-another/ – 5 Ways to Transfer Files From One Computer to Another
14. https://www.ubackup.com/windows-10/move-hard-drive-to-new-computer-windows-10.html – Move Windows 10/11 Hard Drive to a New Computer (Worry-Free)
15. https://www.easeus.com/pc-transfer/copy-installed-software.html – Transferring Installed Programs from One Computer to Another Windows 11/10
16. https://www.diskpart.com/articles/transfer-installed-program-to-another-pc-windows-10-0825.html – How to Transfer Installed Programs to Another PC on Windows 10