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Question

Neccesary to uninstall windows drivers before installing new

by Oct 25, 2012 11:41AM PDT

Do I have to uninstall the drivers windows installs during the actual installation process before installing the drivers from the actual companies? For example, I install windows with no internet connection, then disable updates and automatic hardware installation. Then I want to install the latest drivers for my video card, sound card, ethernet, wireless adapter, and so on, but there is already drivers windows installed during the installation process, usually from like 2006. I think I dont have to uninstall these first since there plug and play drivers or something, but wanted to check to be sure.

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6 Posts
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Answer
You get 2 or more answers on this one.
by Former Forum moderator Oct 25, 2012 11:47AM PDT

I've done both methods and frankly can't tell the difference.

Why not follow the video card maker's suggestion and not guess?

Any plug and play drivers can be ignored. But some folk fight it a lot. I don't.
Bob

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question
by bigdisney Oct 25, 2012 12:16PM PDT

There isn't anything said about windows drivers when it comes to any piece of hardware I use, including the video card. That is why I asked on here. Also its not just the video card, I was asking about all drivers. For example, the sound, wifi, and video all have stock drivers installed when windows is installed so you can use the pc. Then I want to install the latest drivers made by the hardware manufacturer, not the ones windows installed that are dated 2006. Its not that I am trying to update an amd or nvidia driver if thats what you were thinking, its that I am installing the current video driver over the one windows install when you install windows on your pc. Thanks

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Then with each device, the answer must be.
by r. proffitt Former Forum moderator Oct 25, 2012 1:18PM PDT

-> Follow the maker's directions. <-

For Nvidia I've had very good results installing the newer driver without bother from the old one. There are folk that want to try it the other way so let them do that!
Bob

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misunderstood me
by bigdisney Oct 25, 2012 1:54PM PDT

You must have misunderstood me. There is nothing said about windows drivers on ANY of my hardware. If there was I wouldnt have to come here and ask. So the advice of "follow the makers directions" arent valid since there is no mention of them. I will just not worry about them and leave them installed since it doesnt say anything and hopefully nothing will go wrong. If anyone has any other advice before I do it, feel free to let me know. Thanks for trying to help me r. proffitt

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When I've updated drivers,
by glb613 Oct 25, 2012 10:56PM PDT

I let the utility make the decision.

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There was something said.
by r. proffitt Former Forum moderator Oct 26, 2012 1:37AM PDT

"Then I want to install the latest drivers made by the hardware manufacturer, not the ones windows installed that are dated 2006."

You wrote that. I replied that I plow ahead if it's the stock Windows drivers. Why? The hardware maker must "deal with that" or it's a defective product.
Bob

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