Remain (always?) drivers after de-installation of software?

[Camille Petersen]

Assume I installed a new device (e.g. Flatbed-Scanner, Mobile broadband HSDPA modem, ...)
During the installation the actual program and all necessary drivers are installed.
After installation everything works fine.

Now I de-install the software through ControlPanel (e.g. because I want to access the
device with other software).

Are the drivers always kept even when I uninstall the software which originally
installeds the drivers?

If not always but occasionally: How can I find out (without trial and error) if
all necessary components of the drivers package are still available after
de-installation or at least some of the required drivers are removed ?

Assume I don't know the name of the driver files.

Camille

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Assume I installed a new device (e.g. Flatbed-Scanner, Mobile broadband HSDPA modem, ...)
During the installation the actual program and all necessary drivers are installed.
After installation everything works fine.

Now I de-install the software through ControlPanel (e.g. because I want to access the
device with other software).

Are the drivers always kept even when I uninstall the software which originally
installeds the drivers?

Bear in mind that there is a vast difference between "device drivers"
and the utilities and/or applications that come with and help you make
use of the device. The sole purpose of device drivers is to "tell" the
operating system how to access the device in question. The accompanying
software is for the user to use to interface with the features of said
device. Even if you decide to replace the OEM software utilities with a
3rd party product, the operating system will still need the device
drivers in place; you don't want them removed, as its highly unlikely -
for both technical and legal reasons - that the makers of your new
application will be able to provide their own drivers for a competitor's
proprietary (and probably patented) device.

The answer to your question is that it depends entirely upon the way
the manufacturer(s) of the software and drivers coded their removal
routine. Reputable manufacturers who hire only competent programmers do
their best to ensure that every last vestige of the programs/drivers are
removed, assuming you're removing them because you replaced the device.
(But they also usually offer one the option of installing _only_ the
device drivers, so that the device can be used with other applications.)
Less reputable manufacturers, like HP, for example, call it "close
enough" if the Start Menu, Desktop, and Control Panel icons are deleted,
along with the main program folders; they leave behind most of the files
that were placed in Window's system folders.

If not always but occasionally: How can I find out (without trial and error) if
all necessary components of the drivers package are still available after
de-installation or at least some of the required drivers are removed ?

Except by contacting the pertinent manufacturer and asking, and
assuming that they'll answer honestly, you can't, at least not very
easily. A knowledgeable technician can extract the information from the
Windows registry, in most cases.


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:


http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/555375

They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. ~Benjamin Franklin

Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. ~Bertrand Russell

The philosopher has never killed any priests, whereas the priest has
killed a great many philosophers.
~ Denis Diderot

 

[Bruce Chambers]

If, after uninstalling the software and rebooting your machine, the machine
doesn't re-find your hardware and ask for drivers, the drivers have remained
intact.

If the drivers are gone, you can let Windows reacquire them by just putting
the disc back into the drive and letting Windows search it. If it asks to
install the software, just tell it no.

Sorry, but the OP did stipulate "without trial and error."


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:


http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/555375

They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. ~Benjamin Franklin

Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. ~Bertrand Russell

The philosopher has never killed any priests, whereas the priest has
killed a great many philosophers.
~ Denis Diderot

 

[Mark Adams]

Assume I installed a new device (e.g. Flatbed-Scanner, Mobile broadband HSDPA modem, ...)
During the installation the actual program and all necessary drivers are installed.
After installation everything works fine.

Now I de-install the software through ControlPanel (e.g. because I want to access the
device with other software).

Are the drivers always kept even when I uninstall the software which originally
installeds the drivers?

If not always but occasionally: How can I find out (without trial and error) if
all necessary components of the drivers package are still available after
de-installation or at least some of the required drivers are removed ?

Assume I don't know the name of the driver files.

Camille

If you don't know the name of the driver file, the simplest way to tell if
it is still there would be to call the manufacturer and ask them if the
driver is uninstalled along with the software. They might even be able to
tell you if there is a way to install the driver without the accompanying
software. Certainly, they should at least know the name of the driver file.

 

[Lem]

Assume I installed a new device (e.g. Flatbed-Scanner, Mobile broadband HSDPA modem, ...)
During the installation the actual program and all necessary drivers are installed.
After installation everything works fine.

Now I de-install the software through ControlPanel (e.g. because I want to access the
device with other software).

Are the drivers always kept even when I uninstall the software which originally
installeds the drivers?

If not always but occasionally: How can I find out (without trial and error) if
all necessary components of the drivers package are still available after
de-installation or at least some of the required drivers are removed ?

Assume I don't know the name of the driver files.

Camille

Of course, after you have installed all of the s/w that was packaged
with the device, including the drivers, you can go to Device Mnager,
find the device, go to the Drivers tab of its Properties sheet, and
click the Driver Details button, which will provide you with a list of
all of the relevant driver files for the device.