Adding Drivers to Windows Post-Install

Discussion in 'Windows 7' started by l33tissw00t, Jun 18, 2017.

  1. l33tissw00t

    l33tissw00t MDL Addicted

    Dec 6, 2012
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    #1 l33tissw00t, Jun 18, 2017
    Have a working Windows installation at C:\Windows. However, due to a hardware change, it won't boot (missing driver(s)). Can I somehow install a driver to that environment, without being able to boot to it? (Maybe via dism /add-driver from WinPE)

    Thanks
     
  2. shhnedo

    shhnedo MDL Expert

    Mar 20, 2011
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    #2 shhnedo, Jun 18, 2017
    What's this "hardware change" which prevents booting?
     
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  3. l33tissw00t

    l33tissw00t MDL Addicted

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    #3 l33tissw00t, Jun 18, 2017
    Last edited: Jun 18, 2017
    (OP)
    Hypothetical, in a way. Someone attempting to move windows installation to a completely new hardware (mobo, cpu, ram, etc) environment (yes, i know, bad idea).
     
  4. neutralin0

    neutralin0 MDL Novice

    Mar 18, 2014
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    #4 neutralin0, Jun 21, 2017
    Yes, you should use Dism.
    Do you know which drivers are required? If so, try this:

    - Create bootable Windows install media (USB, for example)
    - Add a folder like "MyDrivers" to the root of the install media, and put all needed drivers inside (make sure they are extracted .inf and .sys files)
    - Boot from the install media and in, WinPE, start Command Prompt by pressing Shift+F10
    - Run Dism like this:
    Code:
    dism /image:C:\ /add-driver /Driver:X:\MyDrivers /Recurse
    Where "C:\" is where the OS is installed (Windows folder) and "X:\MyDrivers" is where the new drivers are located.

    You will have to find the appropriate drive letters, for your specific case.

    The "/Recurse" argument makes sure that all subfolders are scanned for inf files to install.