Uninstalling all drivers in Windows 10 sounds pretty daunting, but honestly it’s not as bad as it looks—if you know where to start. Sometimes, trying to fix hardware conflicts or just do some deep cleaning requires removing those drivers completely. Just a heads up: it’s super important to backup your data beforehand, because messing with drivers can sometimes cause system hiccups. Plus, creating a restore point via System Restore before diving in is never a bad idea—it can save a lot of headaches if things go sideways.
How to Uninstall All Drivers in Windows 10
If you’re ready to get your hands dirty and clear out all those device drivers, here’s the approach that works (or at least, worked on my setup).Be aware: this process can make your hardware act a bit funny until Windows auto-reinstalls some basic stuff, so don’t be surprised if your network or display tries to play hard to get afterward. On some machines, it fails the first time—you just gotta try again or reboot and see what gets reinstalled automatically.
Accessing Device Manager
- Right-click the Start button and select Device Manager. Alternatively, hit Windows + X and choose it from the menu.
- This opens a window with all your hardware categorized—think of it like a hardware inventory. Here’s where you’ll find and remove drivers.
Select a Device Category and Prepare to Uninstall
- Pick a category—like Display adapters, Network adapters, or Sound, video and game controllers.
- Click the little arrow to expand and see the devices underneath. Keep in mind, some categories might have one device, others multiple.
Uninstalling a Driver
- Right-click on a device and hit Uninstall device. If prompted, check the box for Delete the driver software for this device. Because of course, Windows has to make it harder than necessary.
- Confirm and move on. Sometimes, there’s a warning—just say yes and keep going.
Repeat for All Devices and Be Smart
- Do this for each device category—probably takes a little time but don’t rush. Make sure not to accidentally remove drivers for critical system functions unless you’re absolutely sure. For example, messing with network or storage drivers can turn your machine into a paperweight temporarily.
- If you’re uncomfortable with uninstalling certain drivers (like your network adapter), consider leaving those alone or doing the process in Safe Mode.
Reboot and Watch the Magic
- Once everything’s uninstalled, reboot your PC. This triggers Windows to do some housekeeping, removing leftover driver bits.
- In some cases, Windows will reinstall some basic drivers automatically—kind of weird, but not totally surprising. On another setup, nothing happens until you manually install drivers again.
After all that, you’re basically starting fresh. Windows ends up with only the essential system drivers, so now you can install new or updated drivers without the clutter of old ones.
Tips for Uninstalling All Drivers in Windows 10
- Backup your data—always. It’s like insurance for this kinda risky process.
- Create a restore point before starting. You never know when things might go sideways.
- Research critical drivers—know what’s essential (like your graphics or network adapter) before uninstalling everything.
- Use Safe Mode if things get sticky. Boot into Safe Mode (hold Shift + restart to access recovery options) and then do the driver cleanup if necessary.
- Be ready to reinstall drivers manually after all is said and done, especially if some devices don’t come back automatically.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why would I need to uninstall all drivers?
Sometimes, deep issues or hardware conflicts demand a clean slate—kind of like resetting your hardware setup without reinstalling Windows.
Can I reinstall drivers after uninstalling them?
Yep, Windows usually auto-reinstalls basic stuff, but for full driver functionality, you’ll probably have to do it manually or via driver updater tools.
Will my computer function without drivers?
It can run, but expect limited hardware support. Basic features might work, but high-res displays, audio, or network might go silent.
What if I uninstall the wrong driver?
No worries—you can roll back or restore through System Restore. Just remember where you backed up your system.
Is it safe to uninstall all drivers?
It’s safe if you know what needs to stay—that’s why caution is key. Do it on a system you’re okay troubleshooting afterward.
Summary
- Open Device Manager.
- Identify a device category and expand it.
- Right-click and Uninstall device. Check delete driver software if prompted.
- Repeat until all drivers are gone.
- Reboot and wait for Windows to settle up.
Wrap-up
Uninstalling all drivers in Windows 10 is kind of a nuclear option, but it can be useful for fixing stubborn hardware conflicts or doing a deep clean. It’s not exactly a walk in the park, but if you remember to back up first and be careful with critical drivers, it’s doable. After rebooting, Windows tends to get rid of old driver leftovers and sets you up for a fresh start—whether that’s installing new drivers or troubleshooting hardware issues. Just don’t expect everything to run perfectly right away, and have your driver updates ready.
Hopefully this shaves off a few hours figuring it out. Good luck!