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How to remove all the manufacturer pre-installed drivers on Windows 10?

Anonymous
2023-05-28T05:05:37+00:00

Hi,

I have a very important software product which now only works in Windows safe mode. In normal mode, the product cannot login to its server.

So, I suspect that a non-Windows driver is a culprit. Resting my Windows does not help. To avoid purchasing a new machine, my last hope is to remove all the manufacturer pre-installed drivers. Can someone kindly guide me how to do that? After removal, I can reinstall these drivers via the manufacturer's website only on a need basis.

Tony

Windows for home | Windows 10 | Devices and drivers

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

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  1. Anonymous
    2023-05-29T04:31:41+00:00

    There are different types of resets:

    a) reset save files

    b) reset remove files

    c) reset using the cloud

    Make a free or pay backup image and save the image to another disk drive or the cloud.

    Clean install the latest version of windows without drivers and applications > install only the software > report findings in normal and clean boot, and safe mode

    If the above fails then clean install an older version of Windows 10 (1607, 1703) and report similar findings into this thread.

    Microsoft Windows and Office ISO Download Tool (heidoc.net)

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  2. Anonymous
    2023-05-28T05:57:57+00:00

    Hello,

    Thanks for reaching out! I'm Microsoft user like you.

    It is not suggested to remove Drivers as they are required to running Windows well.

    1. You can perform clean boot using steps mentioned in below article.

    https://support.microsoft.com/topic/da2f9573-6e...

    1. You can also uninstall any unwanted software or programs from Control Panel > Programs and Features > Select program > Right click > Uninstall.

    In case of additional questions, reach out back to me, and I will be happy to help and try our best to resolve your issue.

    Best Regards,
    Prakash

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  3. Ramesh 176.1K Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
    2023-05-29T04:46:22+00:00

    Hi Tony,

    Not sure if removing the OEM drivers will fix your original issue. But here's how to remove the OEM drivers from the device.

    The 3rd party driver packages can be fully uninstalled using a GUI tool called Driver Store Explorer (GitHub). Alternatively, you can use the DISM/PnpUtil console tools to uninstall the 3rd party drivers. Please see How to Completely Uninstall a Driver. Before deleting them, please backup the driver packages in case you need them later.

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  4. Anonymous
    2023-05-28T22:18:58+00:00

    Hi Prakash and questions_, thanks to both of you for the information provided. I just tried "clean boot" that Prakash recommended. The problematic software product still doesn't work in the clean boot environment. I assume that "clean boot" already removes all 3rd-party drivers. If so, then the culprit is from either Windows or hardware, right?

    For questions_'s questions, the software product works in Windows safe mode with networking, where the product can connect to its company server. I tried both WIFI and Ethernet and found no difference.

    I do not understand questions's 7a step. Is it the same as resetting Windows? I did reset Windows by Start -> Setting -> Update & Security -> Recovery -> Reset this PC -> Remove everything -> Local reinstall (Remove apps and setting but keep personal files).

    Thanks for your help. I hope that there is anything else to try to find the culprit.

    Tony

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  5. Anonymous
    2023-05-28T06:30:17+00:00
    1. At any time make free or pay backup images so that you can perform trial and error steps and return to the backup image as needed.

    (Acronis, Aoemi, EaseUS, Macrium, Paragon, etc.)

    1. One or more of these links may be useful:

    Enable or Disable Driver Updates in Windows Update in Windows 10 | Tutorials (tenforums.com)

    Prevent Windows Update from Updating Specific Device Driver | Tutorials (tenforums.com)

    Turn On or Off Device Driver Automatic Installation in Windows 10 | Tutorials (tenforums.com)

    1. Does the software product work only in:

    a) safe mode

    b) safe mode with networking

    c) safe mode with command prompt

    1. Is the computer using Ethernet or Wifi or both?
    2. A Windows 10 clean install can be performed without connecting to the internet
    3. As trial and error steps:

    a) Clean install Windows 10 (install no drivers or applications)

    b) Install the third party software > test the software

    Clean install:

     [https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/1950-clean-install-windows-10-a.html&sa=U&ved=2ahUKEwjt6s3lqJv_AhVRIn0KHTcQAZMQFnoECAAQAg&usg=AOvVaw01dJoMi2A1dedqkH3cepHa](https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/1950-clean-install-windows-10-a.html&sa=U&ved=2ahUKEwjt6s3lqJv_AhVRIn0KHTcQAZMQFnoECAAQAg&usg=AOvVaw01dJoMi2A1dedqkH3cepHa)
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