Solved How do I safely remove old USB drivers so I can start fresh?

[templar]

Hi folks, Allow me to elaborate on my question. I have a D-Link 7-port USB hub, and connected to the first port I have an Integral USB SD card reader that I always keep connected. Recently, I purchased another Integral USB SD card reader for use with my PS3. To check that it worked, I put it in my D-Link hub 2nd port, but while the device registered it would not recognise any SD cards I put into it. So I tried it in ports 3, 4, 5, etc to see if it would work but it didn't. I eventually blew inside the opening and it worked and wondered whether there was a bit of dust on the connection.

The thing is, I have heard that when you plug in a USB device it creates a driver but that driver remains connected even after you have removed the USB device.

I would be very interested in knowing if/how I can remove the unused drivers which were created when I tested the SD card reader on my USB hub safely, (without using system restore), to start fresh, as obviously I don't want a load of unused drivers clogging up. Does anyone have any methods or is there some USB driver management software that can do it?

Does Windows download a separate driver for each of the 7 USB ports I plugged the USB Card Reader into, or is there simply one driver? Example: Would I enter device manager, select Generic USB Hub and right-click uninstall or would I choose Generic USB SD Reader Device, and right-click uninstall?

Thanks.

 

[marsmimar]

This article offers a good analysis of how to uninstall drivers from Windows 7.

Uninstall Drivers from Vista & Windows 7

You might also want to go through this previous Forum thread to get some additional insight from other members.

http://www.sevenforums.com/graphic-cards/233317-necessary-remove-older-drivers.html

Whatever you decide to do, I strongly recommend that, at a minimum, you create a restore point before modifying your machine. Even better, a system image.

 

[Faladu]

I believe that driver is one of many available to 7 built in, added as needed, and nothing to worry about. [GENERIC] I think you could right click Uninstall that one without a problem.

There are some USB tools out there, but you really should be fine, just wait for storage devices to finish transfers before removing is the main rule to follow.

I still have a !'d Unknown device in Device Manager, and all the USB drives or devices (MP3 player) work fine, I know it was a MP3 player that did it, but I put 2 gigs on it and charge it via USB, it's probably hanging on and can't handle not having the device attached thus the ! and been a non-issue any way.

 

[templar]

Okay, thanks guys!