Unplugged an old printer?
Removed a webcam or headset?
Their drivers might still be installed — and can slow boot times, cause conflicts, or waste resources.
Here’s how to find and remove leftover drivers properly.
✅ 1. Show hidden drivers in Device Manager
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Press
Windows + X→ Device Manager -
Click View → Show hidden devices
You’ll see:
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Grayed out devices = disconnected hardware
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Drivers still active in the system
✅ 2. Identify old drivers
Look for:
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Printers you no longer use
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Old audio or network adapters
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Unused game controllers or storage devices
✅ Grayed out + unused device = safe to remove.
✅ 3. Uninstall device and driver package
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Right-click device → Uninstall device
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Important: Check “Delete the driver software for this device” when prompted
✅ This removes both the device and its software from Windows.
✅ 4. Use Driver Store Explorer (advanced)
Download Driver Store Explorer (RAPR) to:
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View all installed drivers
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See unused or old driver versions
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Delete unused driver packages safely
✅ Great for deep cleaning your Windows driver storage.
✅ 5. Clean DriverStore folder
Advanced users can also:
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Open
C:\Windows\System32\DriverStore\FileRepository -
Carefully delete old drivers only after full backup
⚠️ Manual edits here can cause system issues — use RAPR when possible.
Key points to remember
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Old drivers stay hidden and waste space
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Show hidden devices in Device Manager
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Always uninstall driver software with devices
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Use Driver Store Explorer for advanced cleanup
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Fewer drivers = faster and more stable Windows