PNPUTIL command in Windows
The PNPUTIL command in Windows allows users to manage device drivers effortlessly. From adding new drivers to removing old ones, and listing all currently installed drivers, PNPUTIL provides a convenient way to handle driver management tasks. The command can be run from the Command Prompt or PowerShell, making it accessible to both novice and advanced users. Whether you need to troubleshoot driver issues or simply want to keep your system up to date, PNPUTIL is a valuable tool in the Windows environment.
PNPUTIL Syntax:
Section titled “PNPUTIL Syntax:”pnputil [options] [parameters]Windows PNPUTIL Options:
Section titled “Windows PNPUTIL Options:”| Option | Description |
|---|---|
| -a | Add a driver package to the driver store. |
| -d | Delete a driver package from the driver store. |
| -e | Enumerate all 3rd party driver packages. |
| -f | Force the operation to succeed when the driver package is unsigned. |
| -i | Install a driver package. |
| -u | Uninstall a driver package. |
| -y | Quiet mode, do not ask for confirmation. |
| -? | Display help. |
PNPUTIL Parameters:
Section titled “PNPUTIL Parameters:”| Parameter | Description |
|---|---|
| /? | Display help information. |
| /add-driver | Install a driver package. |
| /delete-driver | Delete a driver package. |
| /disable | Disable a device. |
| /enable | Enable a device. |
| /enum-drivers | Enumerate all 3rd party drivers. |
| /export-driver | Copy the driver files from the driver store to a specified directory. |
| /import-driver | Copy the driver files to the driver store. |
| /install | Install a driver package. |
| /update | Update a device. |
| /uninstall | Uninstall a device and delete the driver package. |
How to use PNPUTIL command:
Section titled “How to use PNPUTIL command:”List all driver packages
Section titled “List all driver packages”pnputil /enum-driversThis command lists all driver packages currently in the driver store.
Add a driver package to the driver store
Section titled “Add a driver package to the driver store”pnputil /add-driver C:\Path\to\Driver\driver.infAdds a driver package located at the specified path to the driver store.
Remove a driver package from the driver store
Section titled “Remove a driver package from the driver store”pnputil /delete-driver DriverPackageName.infDeletes a specific driver package from the driver store using its name.
Import a driver package to the driver store
Section titled “Import a driver package to the driver store”pnputil /add-driver C:\Path\to\Driver\driver.inf /installImports and installs a driver package from the specified path to the driver store.
Scan for new hardware
Section titled “Scan for new hardware”pnputil /scan-devicesInitiates a scan to detect new hardware devices on the system.
List all published driver packages
Section titled “List all published driver packages”pnputil /enum-published-driversDisplays a list of all published driver packages in the driver store.
List devices with a driver package
Section titled “List devices with a driver package”pnputil /enum-devicesLists all devices along with their associated driver packages in the driver store.
Remove all driver packages
Section titled “Remove all driver packages”pnputil /delete-driver * /uninstallRemoves all driver packages from the driver store, effectively uninstalling all drivers.
How do I use pnputil to list all the drivers on my system?
Section titled “How do I use pnputil to list all the drivers on my system?”To list all the drivers on your system using pnputil, run the following command:
pnputil /eHow can I add a driver package using pnputil?
Section titled “How can I add a driver package using pnputil?”To add a driver package using pnputil, use the following command:
pnputil /a <driverinf>How do I uninstall a driver package with pnputil?
Section titled “How do I uninstall a driver package with pnputil?”To uninstall a driver package with pnputil, execute the command:
pnputil /d <OEM*.INF>Can I export a driver package with pnputil?
Section titled “Can I export a driver package with pnputil?”Yes, you can export a driver package using pnputil by running the command:
pnputil /e /f <path\to\exported\folder>How do I search for a specific driver package with pnputil?
Section titled “How do I search for a specific driver package with pnputil?”To search for a specific driver package using pnputil, use the following command:
pnputil /f /s <keyword>How can I get detailed information about a driver package with pnputil?
Section titled “How can I get detailed information about a driver package with pnputil?”To get detailed information about a driver package with pnputil, run the command:
pnputil /a <driverinf> /?Can I force an update of a driver package using pnputil?
Section titled “Can I force an update of a driver package using pnputil?”Yes, you can force an update of a driver package with pnputil by running the command:
pnputil /i /a <driverinf> /fHow do I remove all driver packages in the driver store with pnputil?
Section titled “How do I remove all driver packages in the driver store with pnputil?”To remove all driver packages in the driver store using pnputil, execute the following command:
pnputil /delete-driver *Applications of the PNPUTIL Command
Section titled “Applications of the PNPUTIL Command”- Add a driver package to the driver store
- List all driver packages in the driver store
- Delete a driver package from the driver store
- Enable or disable specific driver packages
- Export a driver package from the driver store
- Import a driver package into the driver store
- Show information about a specific driver package in the driver store