Device Manager

ace-rimmer · 21 May 2014 at 13:56

Hi all

does anyone know how you can completely remove a driver, tape driver in this case, so that the big yellow question mark appears instead, no matter what i do windows always picks it up again, even if i remove the driver files.

thanks

Nocky24 · 21 May 2014 at 14:17

I'll take a punt in saying that the drivers in question might still be residing in this location: C:\Windows\System32\DriverStore

Whenever you attach the device it'll look here first and most likely keep picking the driver out and installing it.

ace-rimmer · 21 May 2014 at 14:24

hi

cheers i tried looking for that folder but doesn't exist, forgot to say im using XP

pigeonguyuk · 21 May 2014 at 14:27

@ ace-rimmer

Is this any good to you?
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2500967

Opps.. this is for Win 7 so im sure there is a smiliar Process for XP

Nocky24 · 21 May 2014 at 14:29

Ah I see. This link might be of use: http://www.msigeek.com/322/driver-store-in-windows-7-and-vista

If you can do it with GPO like the above poster mentions then that would be a neater way of doing it.

ace-rimmer · 21 May 2014 at 14:32

cheers ill give that a go

ChocolateStarfishRammer · 21 May 2014 at 14:32

I have to ask... why would you want to?

If you want to change the driver just update it and point to specific location.. no?

ace-rimmer · 21 May 2014 at 14:39

hi

basically i work in a repair center and the test we use requires not to have a driver installed, no idea why but if it is installed it fails.

Captain Fizz · 22 May 2014 at 10:31

Might be worth a try?
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/315539

I use this after P2V'ing a machine to clean up the leftovers.