√ How to Export and Then Import All Drivers from Windows 11

Whether you're reinstalling your operating system, upgrading your machine, or simply backing up your current setup, exporting and importing device drivers in Windows 11 is a smart move. Windows comes with thousands of built-in drivers, but some are device-specific and downloaded during use. Backing them up ensures a smooth transition without the hassle of hunting them down again.

Why Exporting Drivers Is Important

Drivers are critical software components that allow the operating system to communicate with hardware. While Windows 11 does an excellent job of identifying and installing common drivers, there are many proprietary and unique drivers (e.g., for printers, Wi-Fi adapters, audio cards) that may not be automatically recovered after a system reset or reinstall.

Manually backing up and restoring drivers guarantees that your exact hardware configuration will remain fully functional after any system change.

How to Export All Drivers from Windows 11

Exporting all drivers in Windows 11 is a straightforward task using a built-in tool called DISM (Deployment Image Servicing and Management).

Step-by-Step Guide to Export Drivers

Open the Start menu and search for Command Prompt.
Right-click on it and select Run as administrator.
Create a folder where you'll save the drivers, for example: C:\DriverBackup.
Run the following command in Command Prompt:

dism /online /export-driver /destination:"C:\DriverBackup"

This command tells Windows to look at all the drivers currently installed in your live system (online) and export them to the specified folder.

How Long Does It Take?

The time depends on how many drivers are installed. On average, it takes between 2–10 minutes.

How to Import Drivers Back into Windows 11

Once you've saved your drivers, you can restore them using Device Manager or via PowerShell.

Method 1: Using Device Manager

Open the Start menu and search for Device Manager.
Right-click on a device with a missing driver and choose Update driver.
Select Browse my computer for drivers.
Point it to the folder where you saved the drivers (e.g., C:\DriverBackup).

Repeat for any other devices missing drivers.

Method 2: Using PowerShell

pnputil /add-driver "C:\DriverBackup\*.inf" /subdirs /install

This command batch installs all drivers found in the specified folder and its subdirectories.

Benefits of Backing Up Drivers

BENEFIT	DESCRIPTION	TIME SAVED	APPLICABLE WHEN	REQUIRES INTERNET?
Offline Installs	Use on fresh installs without Wi-Fi or Ethernet	High	New Windows installations	No
Driver Version Control	Keep stable drivers instead of latest buggy ones	Medium	After OS upgrades	No
Faster Setup	No need to download drivers one-by-one	Very High	Mass installations	Optional

Tips and Warnings

Be Cautious with Old Drivers

Only restore drivers that are known to be stable. Avoid importing drivers from outdated systems unless you are certain they’re compatible.

Always back up to a non-system drive.
Double-check your .inf files before importing.
Verify functionality after reinstalling each driver.

Download Ready-Made Backup Scripts

You can download pre-made batch or PowerShell scripts to automate the export/import process:

Automate Driver Management

Some advanced users prefer third-party tools like Double Driver or NirSoft DriverView to manage and export their drivers easily with GUI support.

Final Thoughts

Driver backup may sound like a small detail, but it makes a world of difference when you're trying to recover or reinstall your system with minimum effort. Windows 11 offers a fast, easy way to handle this via DISM and PnPUtil. Once you’ve done this once, you’ll never want to reinstall Windows without it.

Top 5 FAQs About Exporting & Importing Drivers on Windows 11

1. Can I use the same drivers from Windows 10 on Windows 11?

Generally yes, but it's best to test or use only Windows 11 certified drivers to ensure compatibility.

2. Will this backup include Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and GPU drivers?

Yes, all third-party drivers, including network and graphics drivers, are included in the DISM export.

3. Can I use these drivers on another PC?

Not recommended unless the hardware is identical. Drivers are hardware-specific.

4. Where should I store my exported drivers?

Store them on an external USB or cloud drive to avoid losing them during system reinstalls.

5. What if some drivers fail to reinstall?

Manually install them via Device Manager or download the latest version from the manufacturer’s website.

How to Export and Then Import All Drivers from Windows 11