DriverMax (Windows 7 Home Premium to Ultimate)

[Abdullah37]

Hello,

I was wondering whether I could restore the drivers in W7 Ultimate if I backup them from a Home Premium.

Also will this work from Windows XP to Windows 7 HP or Ultimate?

Thanks in advance

 

[IanDrexP]

I think Drivers between Windows 7 Versions are the same especially Microsoft Drivers but XP to Win 7 may cause problems like BSODs or will probably never install in the first place

 

[Abdullah37]

so I'd only do it XP to XP and W7 to W7?
but I mean like if I backup videocard driver from W7 HP and then install Ultimate and backup it, will it function properly?? (same for other drivers like sound etc.)

Also a question, should I restore all drivers from what I get? because there are system drivers etc. and I don't actually know what they do. (again HP to Ultimate)

 

[HammerHead]

32Bit Vs 64Bit

If you don't change from 32bit to 64Bit (or visa versa) The drivers should be the same.

 

[Abdullah37]

If you don't change from 32bit to 64Bit (or visa versa) The drivers should be the same.

even XP to 7?

 

[gregrocker]

To upgrade Home Premium to Ultimate use Windows Anytime Upgrade - How to - Windows 7 Forums.
Takes minutes to unlock the extra features.

Driver manager programs are not needed in Win7 except in the rarest cases of really old hardware where you cannot come up with a driver or two in which case I do still sometimes pull out the old trusty DriverMax freeware.

Otherwise they are in the WIn7 installer, quickly updated via optional Windows Updates when you enable Automatically get recommended drivers and updates for your hardware. Any missing after all Updates are done can normally be found on the Support Downloads webpage for the PC or Device model, or if more obscure by googling.

 

[Layback Bear]

I prefer to use Windows to install required drivers if it can. They have been tested to work well with Windows 7. Their/there are some exceptions.
WHQL Testing - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[marsmimar]

Just a personal experience story. I have a Sony Vaio laptop. Several months ago I was notified via Windows Updates that a new Intel driver was available. I used two different driver scanning utilities and they also said a new driver was available. I went to the Intel website, found the new driver, installed it, and immediately began getting BSODs. Uninstalled it, reverted back to the previous version and all was well again.

Contacted Intel and they said just because a new driver is released doesn't mean it will always work on a specific machine. Computer manufacturers often modify the driver for their specific builds. Sony had not yet modified the latest Intell driver so that's why it didn't work for me. It took Sony about 6 months to release their own version. That driver did work and is on my Vaio.

Moral of the story: newer isn't always better and in the case of drivers, if it ain't broke don't fix it.

 

[Abdullah37]

BUt I'm thinking of re-installing windows (because my PC is infected with many viruses).
I know all those methods.
therefore I was asking this... All my drivers will be deleted.

 

[Layback Bear]

I do agree marsmimar. If one doesn't have a problem be happy and leave the drivers and bios alone is my policy.
That is why I posted.
Their/there are some exceptions.
I have a video driver dated July 19/2010 and it's the only one that works properly. I have tried many. On a new install for the most part Windows 7 does a great job with drivers. Like greg mentioned sometimes you have to look for a driver. Windows 7 is packed with drivers right out of box.

 

[Abdullah37]

my only question:
Will the drivers function properly if I backup them from a Windows 7 Home Premium with drivermax, format it and install Windows 7 Ultimate and then restore the drivers?
Cheers (I only want an answer on this question).

I have many devices from which I lost the driver installation CDs so I have to search one by one again and I don't want to do it. Just answer my question above please, thanks.

 

[Abdullah37]

bump

 

[marsmimar]

my only question:
Will the drivers function properly if I backup them from a Windows 7 Home Premium with drivermax, format it and install Windows 7 Ultimate and then restore the drivers?
Cheers (I only want an answer on this question).

I have many devices from which I lost the driver installation CDs so I have to search one by one again and I don't want to do it. Just answer my question above please, thanks.

Maybe. Some devices use separate drivers for 32 bit systems and 64 bit systems. Going from Windows 7 Home Premium 32-bit to Ultimate 64-bit could be a problem. Going from Home Premium 32-bit to Ultimate 32-bit should work in theory.

 

[bobafetthotmail]

in case you don't know what 32-bit and 64-bit is read this.

To know if your current OS is 32 or 64 bit, read this, to know what you are installing, depends from the disk you are using, it should clearly state it during installation.

As long as both windows 7 (HP and Ultimate) are both 32 bit OR both 64 bit, doing the backup with drivermax should work.

 

[AC]

If you UPGRADE your drivers will still be there. Use the Windows Anytime Upgrade (Start Menu)
If you CLEAN INSTALL, you will have to reinstall most drivers.