Backing up drivers before Win 7 reinstall

[Agrippa]

I'm looking into doing a repair reinstall of Win 7. In preparation I've been doing a bit of checking on the Internet. Time and again I see the warning to back up drivers; the last one I looked at said:

. . . download and store all drivers that your system needs to function - especially the network controller . . .

The problem is that nobody ever seems to amplify on this apparently important process; they just leave it hanging in mid-air. So, can anyone tell me:

1) How do I identify all these drivers that my system needs to function, especially this network controller?

2) Having identified their names how do I go about finding them.

3) How do I save them? Do I simply copy them from where I find them?

4) Are there any non-essential drivers that I need to take into consideration?

 

[fireberd]

The free Belarc Advisor should do that. Download and run it.
Belarc - System Management For The Internet Age. Software license management, IT asset management, IT security audits and more.

Also either the PC Vendor or motherboard vendor (on a custom built) will have drivers. You can download them and either burn them to a CD or save to a flash drive.

 

[RolandJS]

There are a couple of programs I used awhile back to backup all the drivers they discovered onto DVDs. DoubleDriver is the only name I can remember right now, I'm at work.

 

[ComputerGeek]

I use Double Driver too. How to backup your drivers (and reinstall them later when needed!)

Still best to start with drivers from your PC manufacturer website and/or from your device vendors. But if your network adapter doesn't work after reinstall or other drivers still come up missing having a backup copy of all your drivers on a flash drive is quite helpful

 

[Agrippa]

Thanks for the replies.

Now that you've jogged my memory I'm pretty certain that I have Belarc installed somewhere.

I've visited my OEM's site, Dell, and it does look like that if I enter the model details I can get a list of the Dell-installed drivers.

I'll make a note of the other software mentioned.