Are you having trouble getting rid of old drivers in Windows 11? It can be a real headache trying to uninstall drivers that are no longer necessary or compatible with the new Windows 11 operating system. Fortunately, there are some simple steps that you can take to successfully uninstall drivers in Windows 11. In this article, we will walk you through the process of how to uninstall drivers in Windows 11, so you can get your computer running optimally once again.

How to Uninstall Drivers Windows 11

Uninstalling Drivers with Device Manager

Device Manager is an important tool in Windows that enables you to view, manage, and uninstall drivers. Here’s how to use it to uninstall drivers on Windows 11:

Step 1: Open Device Manager

Open the Device Manager by pressing the Windows Key + X, and choosing Device Manager from the list.

Step 2: Locate the Driver

Once in the Device Manager, locate the driver you want to uninstall. You can either search for it in the search box, or locate it in the list of devices.

Step 3: Right-Click the Driver

Once you’ve located the driver, right-click it and select Uninstall device.

Step 4: Confirm Uninstallation

A confirmation window will appear. Select Uninstall to confirm the uninstallation of the driver.

Step 5: Restart the Computer

Once the driver has been uninstalled, restart your computer to ensure that the changes take effect.

Uninstalling Drivers with PowerShell

PowerShell is a powerful scripting language that can be used to manage drivers on Windows 11. Here’s how to use it to uninstall drivers:

Step 1: Open PowerShell

Open PowerShell by pressing the Windows Key + X, and choosing Windows PowerShell from the list.

Step 2: List Installed Drivers

Once in PowerShell, type the following command to list all the installed drivers:

Get-PnpDevice -Class SystemDriver

This will list the installed drivers.

Step 3: Choose the Driver to Uninstall

Once you’ve located the driver you want to uninstall, copy the InstanceID of the driver.

Step 4: Uninstall the Driver

Once you’ve copied the InstanceID, type the following command to uninstall the driver:

Remove-PnpDevice –InstanceID

Replace with the InstanceID of the driver.

Uninstalling Drivers with the Command Prompt

The Command Prompt can be used to uninstall drivers on Windows 11. Here’s how to do it:

Step 1: Open Command Prompt

Open the Command Prompt by pressing the Windows Key + X, and choosing Command Prompt from the list.

Step 2: List Installed Drivers

Once in the Command Prompt, type the following command to list all the installed drivers:

pnputil -e

This will list the installed drivers.

Step 3: Choose the Driver to Uninstall

Once you’ve located the driver you want to uninstall, copy the InfName of the driver.

Step 4: Uninstall the Driver

Once you’ve copied the InfName, type the following command to uninstall the driver:

pnputil -d

Replace with the InfName of the driver.

Related FAQ

Q1: How do I uninstall drivers in Windows 11?

A1: The easiest way to uninstall drivers in Windows 11 is to use Device Manager. To do this, open Control Panel, select System, then select Device Manager. From here, select the driver you want to uninstall, right-click it, and select Uninstall. Confirm the uninstallation, and the driver will be removed from Windows 11.

Q2: What will happen if I uninstall the wrong driver?

A2: Uninstalling the wrong driver can cause serious problems for your system. If you uninstall a necessary driver, your computer may not be able to start up properly or you may experience other issues such as losing access to certain hardware or programs. It is important to make sure you are uninstalling the correct driver before proceeding.

Q3: What should I do if Device Manager won’t uninstall the driver?

A3: If Device Manager won’t uninstall the driver, you can try using a third-party driver uninstaller. There are several free programs available online that can help you uninstall drivers. You may also need to use the Command Prompt to force uninstall the driver if it won’t uninstall through Device Manager.

Q4: Can I reinstall a driver after uninstalling it?

A4: Yes, you can reinstall a driver after uninstalling it. After uninstalling the driver, you can find and download the latest version of the driver from the manufacturer’s website. Once you have downloaded the driver, you can install it using Device Manager or the third-party driver uninstaller.

Q5: Can I uninstall a driver without using Device Manager?

A5: Yes, you can uninstall a driver without using Device Manager. You can use a third-party driver uninstaller or the Command Prompt to force uninstall the driver. It is important to note that uninstalling a driver without using Device Manager may cause issues with your system.

Q6: Is there a way to undo the changes made when uninstalling a driver?

A6: Yes, there is a way to undo the changes made when uninstalling a driver. You can use System Restore to restore your computer to a previous state. To do this, open Control Panel, select Recovery, then select System Restore. From here, you can choose a restore point and restore your computer to a point before the driver was uninstalled.

How to Uninstall Device Drivers in Windows 11

In conclusion, uninstalling drivers in Windows 11 is a straightforward process. With the help of the Device Manager and the Uninstall option, you can quickly and easily remove drivers that are no longer necessary. Furthermore, it’s always a good idea to have the latest drivers installed on your system to ensure that your hardware is functioning at its best. Whether you’re a seasoned tech expert or a novice user, uninstalling drivers in Windows 11 is a task that anyone can manage.