Computer diagnostics

Why would I need software to back up my drivers?

There is one thing that drives me crazy, when I’m reinstalling my Windows XP (or Vista) – looking for my drivers backup CD. It’s gone when you need it most, and what follows is disassembling the PC and checking your motherboard, graphics card, audio card etc… Besides you get the “pleasure” of Googling for the driver utilities and software, hoping you will quickly find what you need in one place.

Bad news is that manufacturers find it convenient to clean up their relic driver database every once in a while, leaving you with no other options, except browsing once more through hundred’s of results and hoping that some computer geek left a link in a tech forum to an existing driver files. You may get lucky, but more often than not you may just waste a lot of time, when the solution is quite simple – use what you have right now, utilizing one of 4 smart driver backup tools. Even more – update your drivers with best software that I have stumbled upon and then back them up. I have been successfully using a few XP driver utilities that might make your digital life much more comfortable.

1. Driver Max

This one, created by innovative solutions software company, deserves a separate post without any doubt. It comes in a freeware and charged version. In a freeware program version apart from being able to back up and restore my PC drivers, I could also perform an update, install and even identify unknown devices, – which is rare. Here is the Driver Max in-depth review.

2. Double driver

Double driver is a user friendly driver program and has one unique attribute that singles it out from other free driver utilities. It is portable and no install is needed. You may use it from flash or any other means of storage device. Download it, extract the archive and run the program – that’s it. The manufacturer’s website is, however, not working, so don’t expect any support there. The user interface is minimalistic, but there’s one drawback (at least for me) – the driver selection window is a bit complex. There is no explanation on what needs to be installed and what is just optional. Some drivers were ticked and most were not, so I figured the ticked ones were the most necessary ones. The backup was done in minutes without any hang up. It’s neat, easy and small program. Click for Double Driver software free download.

• Portable – no install needed;
• Drivers back up is done in a clear manner, each located in a separate folder;
• Ability to back up driver files in a structured folder (default), a compressed folder (zipped), or a single file self extract (executable);
• Driver restoration is done in the same manner – locating backup and following the installation wizard commands;
• Ability make a back up from non bootable MS Windows;

• Complex setup of essential drivers’ selection;
• Manufacturer’s website is closed, no support is available;
• After drivers are restored from backup, some of them are still missing – no idea why…

3. Driver magician Lite 3.91

After I have tested and used a number of driver tools, this one really caught my attention. Not because it’s freeware – yeah, it is though, – but also because it’s supported by a driver software company that sells the full driver magician version. It means that it will be updated and supported as long as the full version is sold on the market. Besides, the program was pretty easy to use – cudos for the freeware manufacturers. So far I am officially naming it the second best driver backup software I have used. There were some drawbacks though – it would freeze sometimes and take too much time for backup, but nobody’ perfect, right? Download it here.

Features:

• Driver back up, restoration and removal abilities;
• Detection of unknown devices;
• User friendly;
• Detailed info on the hardware drivers, with necessary to backup items marked in red;
• Clones all drivers to auto – setup;
• Free of charge;

• No driver updates available;
• Backup process takes about 20 minutes;
• Freezes a PC occasionally;

4. Uniblue Driver scanner

I would like to also point out this particular driver scanner, though it lacks backup function.

Uniblue scanner is not free – the subscription costs 25 $ for one year. You may pay 50 $ for the subscription package, which includes driver scanner, registry booster and speed up my pc utilities. Three useful pc tune up utilities for the double price is quite a bargain, compared to just one driver scanner. Here is a download link.

Features:

• Driver scanning engine and fast detection of possible updates;
• Quick and secure driver downloads;
• Automatic restore points to return to a previous state, in case of any driver issues;
• Easy, one click driver installations;
• Super user friendly interface;
• You may download the utility and check your PC drives for free;

• The update, installation and restore functions are disabled, unless you buy the full version;

Once you get a hang of just one of the mentioned driver backup applications – you no longer need to play detective in search of your PC driver files.