Windows relies on numerous drivers to communicate with your hardware. Over time, outdated, corrupted, or malicious drivers can compromise system stability and security. NirSoft’s InstalledDriversList is a lightweight, portable utility that allows you to quickly view, export, and audit all installed drivers on your system.
Here is a step-by-step guide on how to use this tool to maintain a healthy Windows environment. Step 1: Download and Run InstalledDriversList
Because InstalledDriversList is a portable application, it does not require a standard installation process.
Visit the official NirSoft website and download InstalledDriversList. Extract the downloaded ZIP file to a folder of your choice.
Right-click InstalledDriversList.exe and select Run as administrator. Running it with elevated privileges ensures the tool can access deep system driver details without restriction. Step 2: Analyze the Driver Dashboard
Once launched, the tool displays a comprehensive grid featuring every driver recognized by Windows. To audit your system effectively, focus on these critical columns:
Driver Name & Display Name: The internal service name and the user-friendly name of the driver.
Status: Indicates whether the driver is currently Running or Stopped.
Startup Type: Shows how the driver loads (e.g., Boot, System, Automatic, Manual, or Disabled).
Driver Type: Identifies if it is a Kernel Driver or a File System Driver.
File Modified Time & Created Time: Crucial for identifying recently installed or updated drivers that might be causing sudden system instability.
File Version & Company: Helps verify authenticity. Legitimate drivers usually display known vendors like Microsoft, Intel, NVIDIA, or Realtek. Step 3: Audit Drivers for Security and Stability
An effective audit involves filtering out the noise to find potential problem areas. Use these strategies to scan your list:
Spot Unsigned Drivers: Look at the Digital Signature column. Legitimate modern drivers are almost always signed. An unsigned driver, or one with an unknown signer, warrants a closer look as it could indicate malware or poorly coded software.
Investigate Unknown Vendors: Sort the list by the Company column. Look for blank fields or unfamiliar entity names.
Cross-Reference Errors: If your PC recently suffered from a Blue Screen of Death (BSOD), sort by Modified Time to see which drivers were altered right before the crashes started.
Search Online: If a driver looks suspicious, right-click it within the tool and select Google Search – Driver Name to instantly see what the file does and if other users have reported issues with it. Step 4: Export the Driver List for Documentation
Exporting your driver list is highly beneficial for creating system baselines, sharing logs with IT support, or comparing drivers before and after a major Windows update. Method 1: Exporting via the Graphical Interface Open InstalledDriversList.
To export specific drivers, hold Ctrl and click the desired rows. To export everything, press Ctrl + A.
Click the File menu at the top left and choose Save Selected Items (or press Ctrl + S).
Choose your save location and select your preferred format from the Save as type dropdown. The tool supports .txt, .csv, .html, and .xml. Method 2: Generating a Quick HTML Report Go to the View menu.
Click HTML Report – All Items (or HTML Report – Selected Items if you highlighted specific rows).
Your default web browser will instantly open a clean, formatted table of your drivers. You can right-click this browser page and select Save as to keep a permanent copy. Method 3: Automated Export via Command Line
For system administrators looking to automate audits across multiple machines, InstalledDriversList supports command-line arguments. Open Command Prompt as an administrator and use one of the following commands:
To export to a CSV file: InstalledDriversList.exe /scomma “C:\Logs\driver_list.csv”
To export to a tab-delimited text file: InstalledDriversList.exe /stab “C:\Logs\driver_list.txt”
To export to an HTML report: InstalledDriversList.exe /shtml “C:\Logs\driver_list.html”
By integrating these commands into a deployment script, you can easily gather driver inventories from various endpoints across a network. Conclusion
Regular driver audits are a proactive way to secure and optimize Windows. By leveraging InstalledDriversList, you eliminate the tedious process of digging through Device Manager or the Windows Registry. In just a few clicks, you can generate a clean inventory, verify digital signatures, and export vital documentation to keep your system running smoothly.
To help tailor this workflow, could youI can provide specific scripting templates or troubleshooting steps for your exact scenario.
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