How to Copy Drivers from One Computer to Another (PC & Mac)

Transferring drivers from one computer to another might seem like a daunting task, but it’s a valuable skill to have in several scenarios. Whether you’re upgrading to a new machine, setting up multiple identical systems, or simply need a backup of your current drivers, knowing how to extract and transfer them can save you time and effort. This comprehensive guide provides detailed, step-by-step instructions for both Windows and macOS, ensuring a smooth and successful driver transfer.

Why Copy Drivers?

Before diving into the how-to, let’s understand why you might need to copy drivers in the first place.

* **Upgrading to a New Computer:** Your new computer might not have the specific drivers needed for all your hardware. Copying drivers from your old computer ensures everything functions correctly.
* **Reinstalling Operating System:** A fresh OS install often requires reinstalling all drivers. Having a backup saves time and ensures you have the correct versions.
* **Setting Up Multiple Identical Systems:** If you’re setting up multiple computers with the same hardware configuration, copying drivers ensures consistency and reduces setup time.
* **Driver Backup:** Creating a backup of your drivers safeguards against potential driver corruption or loss, allowing you to quickly restore them if needed.
* **Offline Installation:** In situations where you don’t have immediate internet access, having a driver backup allows you to install drivers without relying on online downloads.
* **Legacy Hardware:** Some older hardware might not have drivers readily available for newer operating systems. Copying drivers from an older system might be the only way to get it working.

Understanding Drivers

Drivers are essential software components that allow your operating system to communicate with the hardware devices connected to your computer. Without the correct drivers, your hardware might not function properly or at all. Devices like printers, graphics cards, network adapters, and sound cards all rely on drivers to operate.

Driver files typically consist of `.inf`, `.sys`, `.dll`, and other files that contain the necessary instructions and configurations for the hardware. These files are usually located in the `C:\Windows\System32\drivers` directory in Windows and within system extensions directories on macOS.

Methods for Copying Drivers in Windows

There are several ways to copy drivers from one Windows computer to another. We will cover the most common and effective methods:

1. **Using Driver Backup Software (Recommended):**

Driver backup software provides a user-friendly interface for extracting and restoring drivers. This method is generally the easiest and safest option.

* **Step 1: Choose Driver Backup Software:**

Several reputable driver backup tools are available, both free and paid. Some popular options include:

* Double Driver (Free)
* DriverBackup! (Free)
* Driver Magician (Paid, with free trial)
* EaseUS Driver Hander (Paid, with free trial)

For this guide, we’ll use **Double Driver** due to its simplicity and freeware status. You can download it from a trusted source like MajorGeeks or Softpedia.

* **Step 2: Install and Launch the Software:**

Download the Double Driver setup file and run it. Follow the on-screen instructions to install the software. Once installed, launch Double Driver.

* **Step 3: Backup Drivers:**

* In Double Driver, click on the “Backup” button.
* Select “Scan Current System”. This will scan your computer for all installed drivers.
* A list of all detected drivers will be displayed. You can choose to backup all drivers or select specific drivers you want to copy.
* Click on the “Backup Now” button.
* Choose a location to save the driver backup. It is recommended to save the backup to an external drive or a network location.
* Double Driver will create a folder containing all the selected drivers and their associated files.

* **Step 4: Restore Drivers on the New Computer:**

* Copy the driver backup folder to the new computer.
* Install and launch Double Driver on the new computer.
* Click on the “Restore” button.
* Select “Locate Backup”.
* Browse to the location where you saved the driver backup folder.
* Double Driver will detect the drivers in the folder.
* Click on the “Restore Now” button.
* Double Driver will install the drivers on the new computer. You may be prompted to restart the computer to complete the installation.

2. **Using Command Prompt (For Advanced Users):**

This method involves using the built-in `DISM` (Deployment Image Servicing and Management) command-line tool to export and import drivers. This method requires some technical knowledge and should be used with caution.

* **Step 1: Create a Driver Export Folder:**

Create a folder on your computer where you want to export the drivers. For example, you can create a folder named “DriverBackup” on your D drive (`D:\DriverBackup`).

* **Step 2: Open Command Prompt as Administrator:**

* Press the Windows key, type “cmd”, right-click on “Command Prompt”, and select “Run as administrator”.
* Click “Yes” if prompted by User Account Control.

* **Step 3: Export Drivers using DISM:**

Type the following command and press Enter:

DISM /online /export-driver /destination:D:\DriverBackup

Replace `D:\DriverBackup` with the actual path to the folder you created in Step 1.

This command will export all third-party drivers installed on your computer to the specified folder.

* **Step 4: Copy the Driver Export Folder to the New Computer:**

Copy the “DriverBackup” folder to the new computer.

* **Step 5: Install Drivers on the New Computer:**

There are several ways to install the drivers on the new computer:

* **Method 1: Using Device Manager:**

* Open Device Manager (Press Windows key + X, then select “Device Manager”).
* Locate the device for which you want to install the driver.
* Right-click on the device and select “Update driver”.
* Select “Browse my computer for drivers”.
* Browse to the “DriverBackup” folder and select the subfolder containing the driver for the specific device.
* Click “Next” to install the driver.
* Repeat for all devices that need drivers.

* **Method 2: Using Command Prompt (For Advanced Users):**

* Open Command Prompt as Administrator.
* Navigate to the “DriverBackup” folder using the `cd` command. For example:

cd D:\DriverBackup

* Use the following command to install all drivers in the folder:

pnputil /add-driver *.inf /subdirs /install

This command will add all `.inf` files in the folder and its subfolders to the driver store and install them.

3. **Manually Copying Driver Files (Not Recommended):**

This method involves manually copying the driver files from the `C:\Windows\System32\drivers` directory and the `C:\Windows\System32\DriverStore` directory. However, this method is not recommended because it’s complex, error-prone, and may not transfer all necessary files and registry entries.

*It is highly recommended to use Driver Backup Software, as it is significantly safer and easier.* If you choose to proceed manually, be aware of the risks.

* **Step 1: Identify the Drivers You Need:**

Determine which drivers you need to copy. This can be done by checking Device Manager on the old computer to see the drivers installed for each device.

* **Step 2: Locate Driver Files:**

* The main driver files are typically located in `C:\Windows\System32\drivers`. Look for files with the `.sys` extension that correspond to the drivers you need.
* Driver information files (`.inf`) and other associated files are usually located in `C:\Windows\System32\DriverStore\FileRepository`. You’ll need to find the specific folders that contain the driver information for the devices you’re interested in.

* **Step 3: Copy Driver Files:**

Copy the necessary `.sys` files from the `C:\Windows\System32\drivers` directory and the relevant folders from `C:\Windows\System32\DriverStore\FileRepository` to an external drive or network location.

* **Step 4: Install Drivers on the New Computer:**

* Copy the driver files to the corresponding directories on the new computer (`C:\Windows\System32\drivers` and `C:\Windows\System32\DriverStore\FileRepository`). *This is risky and can cause system instability if done incorrectly.*
* Open Device Manager on the new computer.
* Locate the device for which you want to install the driver.
* Right-click on the device and select “Update driver”.
* Select “Browse my computer for drivers”.
* Browse to the location where you copied the driver files and select the `.inf` file.
* Click “Next” to install the driver.

Methods for Copying Drivers in macOS

Copying drivers in macOS is generally less common than in Windows, as macOS tends to handle driver installation and updates more automatically. However, there might be cases where you need to transfer drivers, especially for older or specialized hardware.

Unlike Windows, macOS stores drivers as kernel extensions (kexts). These files are located in various system directories.

**Important Considerations for macOS:**

* **Kernel Extension (.kext) Files:** Drivers in macOS are typically packaged as kernel extensions, which are files ending in `.kext`.
* **System Integrity Protection (SIP):** SIP is a security feature in macOS that protects system files, including kernel extensions. To install third-party kexts, you may need to temporarily disable SIP. *Disabling SIP should be done with caution and only if necessary.*
* **Kext Utility:** Kext Utility is a tool that helps install and manage kernel extensions in macOS. It can simplify the process of installing kexts and updating the kernel cache.

**Steps to Copy Drivers in macOS:**

1. **Identify the Driver (.kext) File:**

* Locate the `.kext` file(s) for the driver you want to copy. These files are typically located in the following directories:

* `/System/Library/Extensions`
* `/Library/Extensions`

* The specific location depends on how the driver was installed and whether it’s a system driver or a third-party driver.

2. **Copy the .kext File:**

* Copy the `.kext` file(s) to an external drive or network location.

3. **Prepare the New Mac:**

* Connect the external drive to the new Mac.
* Copy the `.kext` file(s) to the `/Library/Extensions` folder on the new Mac. *It’s generally safer to install to `/Library/Extensions` rather than `/System/Library/Extensions` for third-party drivers.*

4. **Install the Driver (Using Kext Utility):**

* Download and install Kext Utility from a trusted source.
* Launch Kext Utility.
* Kext Utility will automatically rebuild the kernel cache, which is necessary for the new driver to be recognized. You can also manually run it by navigating to the `/Library/Extensions` folder with the kext files. Then simply run the Kext Utility application which rebuilds permissions and the kernel cache.
* Restart your Mac.

5. **(Optional) Disable/Enable SIP (If Necessary):**

* If the driver requires disabling SIP, follow these steps:

* Restart your Mac in Recovery Mode (hold down Command + R during startup).
* Open Terminal from the Utilities menu.
* Type `csrutil disable` and press Enter.
* Restart your Mac.
* After installing the driver, you can re-enable SIP by following the same steps, but using the command `csrutil enable`.

**Example Scenario: Copying a USB Ethernet Adapter Driver:**

Let’s say you have a USB Ethernet adapter with a driver that’s not automatically recognized by the new Mac.

1. **Locate the .kext file on the old Mac:**

* The `.kext` file for the USB Ethernet adapter might be located in `/Library/Extensions`. You might need to consult the adapter’s documentation or website to determine the exact name of the `.kext` file.

2. **Copy the .kext file:**

* Copy the `.kext` file (e.g., `USBEthernet.kext`) to an external drive.

3. **Install the .kext file on the new Mac:**

* Copy `USBEthernet.kext` to `/Library/Extensions` on the new Mac.

4. **Use Kext Utility:**

* Launch Kext Utility to rebuild the kernel cache.

5. **Restart the Mac:**

* Restart the new Mac to load the driver.

Troubleshooting Driver Installation

Even with careful planning, driver installation can sometimes encounter issues. Here are some common problems and their solutions:

* **Driver Installation Fails:**

* **Windows:** Ensure you are running the installer as an administrator. Check the driver’s compatibility with your version of Windows. Try installing in compatibility mode (right-click the installer, select “Properties,” and then the “Compatibility” tab).
* **macOS:** Verify the `.kext` file is in the correct location (`/Library/Extensions`). Ensure SIP is disabled if required. Check the driver’s compatibility with your macOS version.

* **Device Not Recognized:**

* **Both:** Restart your computer. Check Device Manager (Windows) or System Information (macOS) to see if the device is listed with an error. Try uninstalling and reinstalling the driver.

* **Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) / Kernel Panic:**

* This often indicates a driver conflict or incompatibility. Boot into Safe Mode (Windows) or Recovery Mode (macOS) and uninstall the recently installed driver. Try a different version of the driver.

* **Driver Signature Issues (Windows):**

* Windows requires drivers to be digitally signed. If you encounter signature issues, you may need to temporarily disable driver signature enforcement. This can be done from the Advanced Boot Options menu (accessed by pressing F8 during startup).

* **Kext Loading Issues (macOS):**

* Make sure you used Kext Utility to rebuild the kernel cache. Verify the permissions on the `.kext` file are correct. Double-check that SIP is disabled if the driver requires it.

Best Practices for Driver Management

* **Keep Drivers Updated:** Regularly update your drivers to ensure optimal performance and security. Use Windows Update or the manufacturer’s website to download the latest drivers.
* **Create Backups Before Updating:** Before updating drivers, create a backup of your current drivers so you can easily revert to them if something goes wrong.
* **Download Drivers from Trusted Sources:** Always download drivers from the manufacturer’s website or other trusted sources to avoid malware or corrupted files.
* **Use Driver Management Software:** Consider using driver management software to automate the process of updating and backing up drivers.
* **Document Your Drivers:** Keep a record of the drivers installed on your computer, including their versions and installation dates. This can be helpful for troubleshooting issues.

Conclusion

Copying drivers from one computer to another can be a valuable skill for various situations, from upgrading your system to creating backups. While the process might seem complex at first, following the detailed steps outlined in this guide will ensure a smooth and successful driver transfer on both Windows and macOS. Remember to use driver backup software whenever possible, exercise caution when manually copying driver files, and always download drivers from trusted sources. By following these guidelines, you can keep your hardware running smoothly and efficiently.