How to Recover Deleted Drivers in Windows 10/11?

TL;DR:

To recover deleted drivers in Windows 10/11 effectively, prioritize using built-in rollback and restore features for recent deletions before downloading official manufacturer packages or deploying deep data recovery tools.
    ● Revert to the previously working driver version instantly using the "Roll Back Driver" option in Device Manager, which is the fastest solution but strictly requires Windows to have retained a temporary backup copy of the older driver.
    ● Execute a System Restore by running "rstrui.exe" to safely undo recent Windows updates or software conflicts that caused the driver loss, reverting system configurations to an earlier date without deleting your personal files.
    ● Obtain authentic driver installation packages directly from the specific hardware manufacturer's website to guarantee exact compatibility, or utilize third-party software like Recoverit if the necessary files are permanently deleted from system folders and temp locations.

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Drivers allow Windows to communicate with hardware such as graphics cards, printers, network adapters, audio devices, webcams, Bluetooth chips, and storage controllers. When a driver is deleted, removed, corrupted, or replaced by an incompatible version, the device may stop working, disappear, or show a yellow warning icon in Device Manager.

Before trying to recover driver files manually, identify what actually happened. A driver may be disabled, rolled forward to a bad version, removed from Device Manager, missing from the Driver Store, blocked by Windows, or replaced during an update. Each case needs a different fix.

Note: Do not download random .sys, .dll, or driver files from unofficial websites. Use Windows Update, Device Manager, your PC maker, or the hardware manufacturer's official support page.

Quick Diagnosis: Which Driver Recovery Method Should You Use?

Part 1: Why Do Drivers Get Deleted or Stop Working on Windows?

Drivers are not always physically deleted. In many cases, Windows still has the driver package, but the device is disabled, the wrong driver version is installed, the hardware ID no longer matches, or the driver is blocked because it is incompatible or unsigned.

Note: As of October 14, 2025, Windows 10 has reached end of support for regular free security updates and Microsoft technical assistance. The driver recovery steps still work, but Windows 11 or eligible Extended Security Updates are safer long-term options.

Part 2: How to Recover Deleted Drivers in Windows 10/11?

Method 1: Recover Deleted Driver Installers or Backup Files With Recoverit

Wondershare Recoverit can help when you accidentally deleted a downloaded driver installer, a driver backup folder, an exported driver package, or a folder that contains trusted .inf, .sys, .cat, and setup files.

This is different from reinstalling a driver that Windows can download again. If the driver is available from Windows Update or the official manufacturer site, redownloading it is usually safer than recovering old files from disk.

1. Stop saving new files to the drive where the driver backup or installer was deleted.
2. Install Wondershare Recoverit on a different drive or another computer when possible.
3. Open Recoverit and select the drive or folder where the driver files were stored.

   

4. Start the scan.

   

5. Filter or search for file types such as .exe, .msi, .inf, .sys, .cat, or archived driver folders.

   

6. Preview and recover the needed files.

   

7. Save recovered files to a different drive or folder.

   

8. Install the driver only if the recovered package came from a trusted OEM or hardware manufacturer source.

Note: Recovering a driver file does not automatically register it with Windows. Install driver packages through Device Manager, the official setup program, Windows Update, or pnputil when appropriate.

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Method 2: Use System Restore for Recent Driver Problems

System Restore can help when drivers stopped working after a recent driver update, Windows update, app installation, or system configuration change. It restores Windows system files, registry settings, installed programs, and drivers to an earlier restore point. It does not restore personal documents, photos, or videos.

1. Press Windows + R.

   

2. Type rstrui.exe and click OK.
3. Choose a restore point dated before the driver problem started.
4. Click Scan for affected programs if the option appears.
5. Confirm the restore point and click Finish.
6. Wait for Windows to restart and complete restoration.
7. Open Device Manager and test the affected hardware.

Note: System Restore works only if restore points were created before the driver issue. If no restore point exists, use Device Manager, Windows Update, or the official manufacturer driver instead.

Method 3: Roll Back a Recently Updated Driver

Roll Back Driver returns a device to the previous driver version if Windows still has that version stored. This method is best when a device stopped working right after a driver update.

1. Right-click Start and choose Device Manager.
2. Find the affected device.
3. Right-click the device and choose Properties.

   

4. Open the Driver tab.
5. Click Roll Back Driver if the button is available.
6. Choose a reason and follow the prompts.
7. Restart the PC and test the device.

Method 4: Download the Correct Driver From the Official Source

Official drivers are usually the safest way to recover a missing driver package. For laptops and prebuilt PCs, start with the PC manufacturer's support page because chipset, audio, touchpad, Wi-Fi, graphics, and power-management drivers may be customized for that model.

1. Open Settings > System > About and note the PC model, Windows edition, and system type.
2. Open Device Manager and find the device with a warning icon or Unknown device entry.
3. Right-click the device, choose Properties, open Details, and select Hardware Ids when you need exact identification.
4. Visit the official PC maker or hardware manufacturer support page.

   

5. Choose the exact model and Windows 10 or Windows 11 version.
6. Download the latest stable driver package.
7. Run the installer as administrator or install the .inf package through Device Manager.
8. Restart the PC and test the hardware.

Note: For network drivers, download the driver on another device if the affected PC has no internet access, then transfer it with a USB drive.

Method 5: Reinstall Drivers Through Device Manager

Device Manager is the built-in Windows tool for checking devices, updating drivers, uninstalling devices, and reinstalling drivers. Microsoft recommends getting driver updates through Windows Update first, but Device Manager is useful when a specific device needs attention.

1. Right-click Start and choose Device Manager.
2. Look for a yellow warning icon, Unknown device, missing category, or disabled device.
3. Click Action > Scan for hardware changes.
4. If the device appears, right-click it and choose Update driver.

   

5. Select Search automatically for drivers to let Windows search available sources.
6. If you already downloaded a trusted driver, choose Browse my computer for drivers and select the folder that contains the .inf file.
7. If the device is corrupted, you can uninstall the device, restart Windows, and let Windows detect it again.
8. After installation, restart the PC if Windows asks.

Note: Be careful with the option that attempts to remove the driver software for the device. Use it only when you intentionally want to remove the current driver package before installing a clean version.

Method 6: Check Windows Update for Optional Driver Updates

Windows Update can provide recommended and optional driver packages for many devices. This is a safe first source for common hardware, especially when Device Manager cannot find a driver locally.

1. Open Settings.
2. Go to Windows Update.
3. Click Check for updates.

   

4. Open Advanced options.
5. Open Optional updates.
6. Expand Driver updates.
7. Select only the driver updates that match the problem device.
8. Click Download & install and restart if required.

Note: On Windows 10, regular free support ended on October 14, 2025. If driver or security updates are no longer available for your device, consider Windows 11, OEM support tools, or eligible Extended Security Updates.

Advanced Method: Reinstall or Back Up Drivers With PnPUtil

pnputil is a Microsoft command-line tool for managing Plug and Play driver packages. It is useful when you have a trusted exported driver folder or when you want to create a driver backup before repairs.

Note: Run pnputil from an elevated Command Prompt or Terminal. Do not manually delete files from C:\Windows\System32\DriverStore.

Part 3: Tips to Recover Deleted Drivers Without Data Loss

Driver recovery can affect hardware stability, network access, display output, and boot behavior. Use the precautions below before changing storage, chipset, graphics, network, or security-related drivers.

More Related: How to Recover Recently Deleted Photos

Conclusion

To recover deleted drivers in Windows 10/11, start with the least risky option. Use Roll Back Driver for a bad recent update, Scan for hardware changes for an uninstalled device, Windows Update for common driver packages, and the official OEM or hardware manufacturer site for model-specific drivers.

If multiple drivers broke after a system change, use System Restore if a restore point exists. For advanced backups or .inf-based packages, use pnputil. Avoid manual DriverStore edits and unofficial driver download sites.

Use Wondershare Recoverit only when local driver installers, exported driver folders, or backup files were deleted. If Windows can redownload the driver from a trusted source, reinstalling the official package is usually safer than restoring old driver files.