USB Keyboards: Plug N' Play: Unanswered

Question

Hello--I just wanted to double-check a detail.

I am aware that a USB keyboard is plug n' play (when using Windows) so that it can be plugged in and unplugged while the computer remains on.

Q1. If a USB keyboard is going to be 'swapped' for another USB keyboard, is it still considered plug n' play (and the drivers will automatically install) 'OR,' in this case,should the computer be turned off first and the new USB keyboard plugged in (so that the drivers are automatically installed)?

Answer:

Q2. When the drivers of a new USB keyboard are installed, does it 'override' the drivers of the old USB keyboard or does the computer 'remember' the old drivers in case the old USB keyboard is plugged in again?

Answer:

The information is appreciated.

Answer 1

100% correct.

As a result, when the keyboard is plugged in, it is literally plug n' play because there are no installation steps required.

Correct again ... and for the same reason there are no uninstallation steps when you unplug.

When you plug in the keyboard, the keyboard tells Windows what model it is, and Windows says "I got you covered."

However - do pay heed to what Canadian Tech explained: When the plug and play device is a storage device, like a USB flash drive or an external hard drive, you should eject the device from the notification area before you physically remove it.

Answer 2

Windows 7 has all the drivers it needs for 99.9% of keyboards. It is so automatic and quick, you will not even notice.

As a matter of fact, you can have more than one keyboard connected at the same time and they will both work.

By definition, USB connected devices can be connected and disconnected on the fly. ONE CAVEAT: If it is a storage device (not keyboards), you must first use the "Safe to remove" tool first.

Answer 3

Swapping one USB keyboard (or mouse) for another USB keyboard (or mouse) is safe to do while the computer is on.

Since drivers for plug-and-play peripherals are included in Windows, as I originally wrote, these drivers were 'installed and saved' when Windows was installed.

These drivers were supplied to Microsoft by the peripheral manufacturers themselves. Microsoft has neither the proprietary knowledge nor the legal right to write drivers for peripherals that other companies build.

Over time, peripheral manufacturers may supply Microsoft with newer versions of the drivers they originally provided to Microsoft to include in Windows. The updated drivers are 'installed and saved' by Windows Update.

Thus, Windows may have more than one installed and saved driver for any given peripheral, and in that case Windows uses the most recent version of the driver. The earlier versions are still installed and saved - this is necessary for a situation where an updated driver causes problems. If that happens you can revert to an earlier version of the driver.

All this discussion of drivers only applies to the drivers that Microsoft receives from device manufacturers for inclusion in Windows. Device manufacturers commonly include additional software for their devices that you can install yourself. This is common for keyboards and mice, where the manufacturer's software may give you the ability to remap keys, use special function keys and remap mouse buttons, for examples.

Answer 4

R-X:

Am I correct then about the following points:

-Swapping one USB keyboard for another USB keyboard is 'safe' to do while the computer is on.

-The driver for the 'first' USB keyboard was 'installed and saved' the first time that it was plugged in.

-Every time a 'different' USB keyboard is plugged in, a new driver will be 'installed and saved' but only rhe most recent driver for the 'currently-plugged in-keyboard' will be used by the computer.

Answer 5

Plug-and-play means that Windows already has a driver for the device in question. That's why you can plug and unplug a device at will without needing to restart your computer. If Windows has more than one driver for a given device it will use the most recent version.