Location of Drivers [Archive]

Mcbuddah

06-29-2004, 09:45 AM

I hope this question isnt' too noobish.
I am trying to find where Windows XP keeps the printer drivers on hand. I've checked the 'Inf' folder and found a multitude of drivers. None of them seem to be the drivers I was looking for. (I am looking for HP Laserjet drivers.) I know I can download any of these drivers from their respectable sites, I was just trying to avoid doing that.

arkamw

06-29-2004, 10:34 AM

Quite honestly, the best thing is to download the drivers from their respective sites. Not only do you get the latest drivers, you also get the latest software bug fixes and compatibilities. So it's worth getting. Provided that you haven't downloaded anything, the default stuff in the \INF folder is stuff that came with Windows. And while it is usually set for max compatibilty, it may not enable or take full advantage of all the feature sets a piece of hardware is capable of.

As to where Windows stores drivers, they can be distributed throughout the \Windows directory with a lot of them residing in the \System32 directory. This is, by all means, not the only place that drivers can be installed. Much will depend on where the install path puts the drivers (i.e. where the .inf files tells it to put drivers and look for them) and where the software that you are using expects them to be. I have seen drivers from a few things be installed in the \Program Files directory.

But, seriously, just drop by the mfg website and pick up the latest drivers as it's really the best thing to do.

Cheers.

stevewm

06-29-2004, 10:36 AM

Not to mention HP makes it very easy to find drivers. Just click the "Support and Drivers" link on the homepage, type in your model, click your OS and then click Download :)

It couldn't get any easier.

Mcbuddah

06-29-2004, 06:48 PM

djnes

06-30-2004, 02:43 PM

Good point, off to HP.com I go. :)

If you have trouble finding them, send me the model number and I'll get them for you.