Windows 7: How do I force windows to use a driver it doesn't list?

Hello, I have a microphone that needs the Generic USB Audio driver, and it displays it as malfunctioned(I heard from some people that it usually does that at first with this kind of mic), so I went ahead and tried to use the update driver function. I went ahead and into browse drivers, unchecked compatible drivers only, and looked for the Generic USB audio driver. It wasn't where I thought it would be on the manufacturer menu, so I looked through them all. It wasn't there. I tried using the search for driver in x location by grabbing the Generic USB Audio driver file from my windows directory and placing it in a new folder, then setting it to look in the new folder. Didn't work. I've searched quite a little bit for a solution and even asked aforementioned people how to fix it. Everything told me to do the first thing I did. I tried each step again. I tried unplugging the mic then plugging it back in then trying again. No luck. So, now I'm desperate, considering my voice is my job, and MY computer my workplace. Could someone please help me with this? I'm even up for directly editing files related to this I'm so desperate.

Who manufactured the mic? Have you tried downloading the driver from their site and installing fresh?
You might have to uninstall first in Device manager. It sounds as though you know how to get there since you tried update driver.
I think the generic usb audio driver is dependent on other services - you can check those inside device mgr (or maybe inside services) - look at dependencies and see if those services are running

Peace!

It uses the Generic USB Audio driver that comes with windows.

I tried uninstalling it, but you cannot uninstall unrecognized device.

I don't see what you mean by check dependencies of Generic USB Audio. I tried looking for it in services and can't seem to find it, so I think I'm doing something wrong here.

ok, I was a bit confused and I think I confused you.
You mentioned "...and it displays it as malfunctioned(I heard from some people that it usually does that at first with this kind of mic), so I went ahead and tried to use the update driver function."

I assumed that you were in device mgr when you tried to "use the update driver function". You can uninstall instead of update the driver. Try that first - then plug the mic in and see if Windows loads the driver.

I was lazy when I spoke about services - sorry. There are a few services associated with audio that I know of (maybe 3). Look for services that reference audio; Windows Audio and Windows Audio End Builder both should be running. If not check the dependencies there. Ah - also Audio service all should be running, Qwave isn't as important as the others.

Peace!

I cannot seem to find any services related to audio. I have a feeling this might not be good.

Did you try to uninstall whatever "it displays it as malfunctioned......so I went ahead and tried to use the update driver function" was?

Again, I'm assuming that you're seeing "it displayed as malfunctioned" in device mgr and you were still in device mgr when you "tried to use the update function". If you're not in device mgr, please elaborate.

About the services - Don't panic!

Does audio play - say thru Media Player? If so then audio is fine, if not well that's another issue. Let's focus on the mic on this thread. But I'm betting that you do have audio playback.

Run system information, export it to a text file, then post it in a reply - that will help.
open Windows help (fn 1 any empty area of your desktop) -> search for system information - > click on open system information then from the sysinfo file menu select export (to a text file). Attach that output to a reply here.

I'll be off for tonight 2300 est here. but will check back in the morning. That should give you some time to collect the Sysinfo and post it. Use the paperclip on the reply window to attach your output.

Peace!

I cannot seem to find what you mean. I press F1, search system information, can't find open system information exactly, click the closest thing to that, it opens windows performance index, no "sysinfo file menu", not really any file menus at all...

What kind of sound "card" do you have? Is it after market or is it built in to the mother board? You may need to tweak the settings in what ever control panels that you have.

Okay, but how does tweaking the minimal settings of my sound card have anything to do with windows not recognizing a USB driver?

Let me start again, then
You will not find a generic USB audio driver to update
MSDN Generic USB Audio Device

1) Who manufactured your microphone?

2) Can you uninstall what you refer to as "malfunctioned"?

3) Provide System Information see attached images for help on howto