When your Windows 10 system starts to malfunction or becomes infected with malware, one of the most common troubleshooting steps is to reset the operating system. But what happens to your drivers after a reset? Do they get removed, or do they stay intact? In this article, we’ll dive deep into the world of Windows 10 resets and explore the fate of your drivers.
What Happens When You Reset Windows 10?
Before we discuss the impact of a reset on drivers, let’s quickly cover what happens when you reset Windows 10. When you perform a reset, Windows 10 reinstalls itself, removing all installed apps, settings, and configurations. The reset process comes in two flavors:
Refresh
The “Refresh” option removes all installed apps, but keeps your personal files, such as documents, pictures, and videos, intact. This option is useful when you want to start with a clean slate while preserving your important data.
Reset
The “Reset” option, on the other hand, removes everything, including apps, settings, and personal files. This option is useful when you want to start from scratch or when you’re selling or giving away your device.
What Happens to Drivers During a Reset?
Now, let’s get to the meat of the matter. When you reset Windows 10, your drivers are affected in different ways depending on the type of reset you perform.
Refresh
During a refresh, your drivers are preserved. Microsoft stores drivers in the Windows Driver Store, which is a protected area of the operating system. Since a refresh doesn’t touch this area, your drivers remain intact. You won’t need to reinstall drivers for your devices, such as printers, graphics cards, or network adapters.
Reset
However, during a full reset, your drivers are removed. When you perform a full reset, Windows 10 reinstalls itself, which means it also reinstalls the default drivers that shipped with the operating system. This means you’ll need to reinstall drivers for your devices, which can be a time-consuming process.
How to Reinstall Drivers After a Reset
If you’ve performed a full reset and need to reinstall drivers, don’t worry – it’s a relatively straightforward process. Here’s how to do it:
Automatic Driver Installation
Windows 10 has a built-in mechanism to automatically install drivers for your devices. When you connect a device, Windows 10 searches for the relevant drivers online and installs them for you. This process usually happens in the background, so you might not even notice it.
Manual Driver Installation
If automatic driver installation doesn’t work, you can manually install drivers from the manufacturer’s website. Here’s how:
- Visit the device manufacturer’s website and navigate to the support or download section.
- Find the correct driver for your device and operating system (in this case, Windows 10).
- Download the driver installation package.
- Run the installation package and follow the on-screen instructions to install the driver.
Tips and Tricks for Managing Drivers After a Reset
To make the most of your Windows 10 reset experience, here are a few tips and tricks to keep in mind:
Create a Driver Backup
Before performing a reset, create a backup of your drivers using a third-party tool like Driver Talent or Driver Easy. This way, you can easily restore your drivers after the reset.
Use Windows Update
Windows Update often includes driver updates for various devices. Make sure to check for updates regularly to ensure you have the latest drivers installed.
Check for Device-Specific Software
Some devices, like printers or graphics cards, require specific software to function properly. After a reset, reinstall the software and drivers for these devices to ensure they work correctly.
Conclusion
Resetting Windows 10 can be a daunting task, especially when it comes to managing drivers. While a refresh preserves your drivers, a full reset removes them. By understanding what happens to your drivers during a reset and knowing how to reinstall them, you can ensure a smooth transition to a clean and optimized Windows 10 system. Remember to create a driver backup, use Windows Update, and check for device-specific software to make the most of your reset experience.
Will I Lose My Drivers After Resetting Windows 10?
When you reset Windows 10, the operating system is reinstalled, and all your installed drivers are deleted. This means that you will need to reinstall your drivers after the reset process is complete. However, Windows 10 has a built-in driver store that contains generic drivers for most hardware devices, so you may not need to reinstall all of your drivers.
The built-in driver store allows Windows 10 to automatically install drivers for common devices such as keyboards, mice, and network adapters. This means that you may not need to reinstall drivers for these devices after the reset. However, for more specialized devices such as graphics cards or sound cards, you may need to reinstall the drivers from the manufacturer’s website.
Do I Need to Back Up My Drivers Before Resetting Windows 10?
It is not necessary to back up your drivers before resetting Windows 10, but it is recommended. If you have installed custom or specialized drivers for your hardware devices, you may need to reinstall them after the reset. By backing up your drivers, you can ensure that you have a copy of the drivers and can easily reinstall them.
You can use the built-in Windows tool, Device Manager, to export your drivers to a folder on your computer. This will create a backup of your drivers that you can use to reinstall them after the reset. Alternatively, you can create a system image backup that includes your drivers, which will allow you to restore your system to its current state before the reset.
How Do I Reinstall My Drivers After Resetting Windows 10?
After resetting Windows 10, you can reinstall your drivers using the Device Manager or by downloading them from the manufacturer’s website. To use the Device Manager, open it and expand each category of devices, then right-click on each device and select “Update Driver”. This will allow you to browse to the location of the driver files and install them.
Alternatively, you can visit the manufacturer’s website and download the drivers for your specific device. Make sure to download the correct drivers for your version of Windows (32-bit or 64-bit) and follow the installation instructions provided by the manufacturer.
Will Windows 10 Automatically Install Drivers After Reset?
Yes, Windows 10 will automatically install drivers for most hardware devices after the reset. The operating system contains a built-in driver store that includes generic drivers for many devices, including keyboards, mice, network adapters, and more. These drivers will be installed automatically during the reset process.
However, for more specialized devices, such as graphics cards or sound cards, you may need to manually install the drivers from the manufacturer’s website. Windows 10 may not have the correct drivers for these devices in its built-in driver store, so you will need to download and install them manually.
Can I Reset Windows 10 Without Losing My Personal Files?
Yes, you can reset Windows 10 without losing your personal files. The reset process allows you to choose whether to keep your personal files or remove them. If you choose to keep your personal files, they will be preserved during the reset process and will be available after the reset is complete.
However, it is still recommended to back up your personal files before resetting Windows 10, as there is always a risk of data loss during the reset process. You can use the built-in Windows tool, Backup and Restore, to create a backup of your personal files and store them in a safe location.
How Long Does It Take to Reset Windows 10?
The time it takes to reset Windows 10 can vary depending on the speed of your computer and the amount of data that needs to be erased and reinstalled. On average, the reset process can take anywhere from 30 minutes to several hours.
During the reset process, Windows 10 will erase all of your installed programs, settings, and files, and then reinstall the operating system from scratch. This process can take some time, so be patient and do not interrupt the process.
Is Resetting Windows 10 Safe?
Resetting Windows 10 is a safe process when done correctly. The reset process is designed to erase all of your installed programs, settings, and files, and then reinstall the operating system from scratch. This can be a useful troubleshooting tool if your system is experiencing problems due to malware or software conflicts.
However, it is still important to take precautions before resetting Windows 10, such as backing up your personal files and drivers, and creating a system image backup. This will ensure that you can restore your system to its current state if something goes wrong during the reset process.