USB WiFi Adapter - Built-In Win7 Drivers?


  1. Posts : 3
    7Pro-x64
       #1

    USB WiFi Adapter - Built-In Win7 Drivers?


    I'm looking for a USB WiFi adaptor that I can plug into a Win7 box and it will work without downloading or installing any new drivers. i.e., Drivers are included with Win7 and the adapter will work just by plugging it in.

    I want to be able to use it on newly imaged machines to get them on network fast and download updates, etc., without having to carry around extra flash drives, discs, etc.

    As an example, I have a Verizon Jetpack that I can just plug into Win7 and it comes right up without installing anything. Though, I'd rather not use my data when WiFi is available.

    I've been searching the 'net for about an hour or so and just can't find any useful answers. Any recommendations?
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  2. Posts : 9,600
    Win 7 Ultimate 64 bit
       #2

    Why not include the drivers in the image you are using?
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  3. Posts : 3
    7Pro-x64
    Thread Starter
       #3

    Lady Fitzgerald said:
    Why not include the drivers in the image you are using?
    Certainly a great idea... however, I'm not doing the imaging nor do I have access to it.

    Maybe I'm just being overly difficult and should just get any ol WiFi dongle and put the driver on a flash drive... it's that few extra steps that is bothering me, and the likelihood of me forgetting/losing the flash drive at the most inopportune moment.
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  4. Posts : 7,107
    W7 home premium 32bit/W7HP 64bit/w10 tp insider ring
       #4

    drivers


    Have you actually looked to see which drivers are available within the W7 driver file??

    Controlpanel>devicemanager>networkadapters> Updatedriversoftware>BROWSE MY COMPTER SOFTWARE >>
    LET ME PICK >> SELECT network adapter>>>

    >>>UNCHECK SHOW COMPATIBLE HARDWARE<<<

    you will then get a list of the drivers by manufacturer that W7 holds.

    Roy
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  5. Posts : 3
    7Pro-x64
    Thread Starter
       #5

    torchwood said:
    Have you actually looked to see which drivers are available within the W7 driver file??

    Controlpanel>devicemanager>networkadapters> Updatedriversoftware>BROWSE MY COMPTER SOFTWARE >>
    LET ME PICK >> SELECT network adapter>>>

    >>>UNCHECK SHOW COMPATIBLE HARDWARE<<<

    you will then get a list of the drivers by manufacturer that W7 holds.

    Roy
    I started out doing that, but the list was quite large. I guess I could poke at a few of the known brands and see what's there.

    Edit: Yeah, just went back and looked at list... a lot of the listed adapters do not include the model number in their name. Also, even if I find one listed, that doesn't mean the revision I buy will work with the drivers in Win7.
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  6. Posts : 7,107
    W7 home premium 32bit/W7HP 64bit/w10 tp insider ring
       #6

    Thats true i actually had a belkin wifi dongle, Which is actually based on the Realtek driver, RT2870, i used/updated it. instead of the belkin one it, was about 2 generations newer.

    Roy
      My Computer


 

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