Four Methods to Back Up Network Card Drivers
Backing up network card drivers is an essential step when maintaining and upgrading computer systems. This article will detail several effective methods for backing up network card drivers.
Why is it important to back up network card drivers?
Network card drivers enable the computer's operating system to recognize and control the network card hardware, ensuring the computer can connect to the network. If the drivers are damaged or lost, it can lead to network connection issues, severely affecting work and daily life. Therefore, backing up network card drivers before updating or reinstalling the operating system is crucial.
1. Using Third-Party Tools
Driver Sentry is a professional driver management software responsible for installing, updating, and upgrading computer drivers. It also offers a driver backup function. It is recommended that users install this software on their computers to avoid issues caused by driver problems.
Click the download button to get the latest version of Driver Sentry. After installation, open the software and click "Scan".
Check if the network card drivers need updating based on the scan results. If an update is needed, click the "Update" button.
Once the update is complete, click "Backup". Review the network card drivers and then click "Backup Now" in the upper right corner to start the backup process.
2. Using the Windows Built-in DISM Tool
Type "cmd" in the search bar, find Command Prompt, right-click, and select "Run as administrator".
Enter the following command to back up the drivers to a specified folder (e.g., C:\DriverBackup):
dism /online /export-driver /destination:C:\DriverBackup
This command will back up all drivers, including network card drivers.
Once the backup is complete, it will display "The operation completed successfully". You can then go to the "DriverBackup" folder to view all the backed-up drivers.
3. Manual Backup
If you know the installation directory of the network card driver or have downloaded the driver from the manufacturer's website, you can manually back up the driver files.
Locate the driver's installation directory, typically found in "C:\Windows\System32\drivers" or "C:\Windows\System32\DriverStore\FileRepository".
Copy the relevant files to your backup folder.
4. Backing Up Using Device Manager
Press "Win+X" and select "Device Manager".
In the device list, find "Network adapters", right-click it, and select "Properties".
In the device properties window, switch to the "Driver" tab and then click "Driver Details".
In the "Driver Details" window, you will see a list of driver files. Note these file paths and then manually copy them to another secure location, such as a USB drive or cloud storage service.
Backing up network card drivers prevents network issues and allows for quick restoration after system updates or reinstallations, providing extra protection and ensuring network stability.
See also:
Nvidia GeForce Game Ready 560.81 WHQL Driver Released
One-click driver update, Driver Sentry makes it easy for you
