How to Install Vista Drivers on Windows 7

   Information

Often, especially on 64 bit systems, Windows 7 will not install Vista drivers correctly first time, due to it not reporting itself properly. You end up with XP drivers that don't work. This tutorial will show you how to fix that.

OPTION ONE

When the Drivers are in a Setup File

   Note

This method should be used whenever you have a "setup file" or .exe extension to run to install the drivers.

Leave the device unplugged while doing this (Unless the drivers are stored on the device, for instance a Mobile Phone)

If you have already installed the Incorrect Drivers, then do a System Restore, or Restore a System Image, to the point before you installed the drivers, otherwise this won't work.

1. Right Click the Setup File and Click "Properties".

2. Click on the Compatibility tab.

3. Check the box marked "Run this program in compatibility mode for" and select "Windows Vista" from the drop down list.

4. Check the "Run as Administrator" box.

5. Run the setup file as normal, Hopefully Windows will now report itself as Vista, and will install the correct files.

OPTION TWO

When the Drivers are in a Zip Folder

   Note

Once again:
If you have already installed the Incorrect Drivers, then do a System Restore, or Restore a System Image, to the point before you installed the drivers, otherwise this won't work.

If the drivers are in a Zip Folder, then extract them to the folder of your choice, plug your device in so Windows reports "Driver Installation Failed" then unplug the device and then do the following:

1. Open Device Manager (Start>Control Panel>Hardware and Sound>Device Manager)

2. Under "Unknown Devices" you will see your device listed. Right Click it and then click "Update Driver Software"

3. When Windows asks how you want to look for Drivers, click "Browse my Computer for Driver Software"

4. When it asks for the location of the driver click "Browse" and navigate to where you just extracted the driver to.

5. Double click the driver file, and then click "Next".

6. Once Installation is complete, plug your device in, Windows should then find the drivers, beep a few times and then it will be working


ENJOY :)

   Information

This tutorial is the intellectual property of (c)2009 Martin Joy a.k.a severedsolo and is only authorised to be hosted on sevenforums.com This tutorial is not to be copied without my explicit consent and when consent is granted the original author must be credited along with a link to this tutorial

Related Tutorials

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• How to Run a Program in Compatibility Mode in Windows 7
• How To Install A Driver in Add Hardware Wizard
• How to Uninstall a Device and Device Driver in Vista and Windows 7
• How to Roll Back a Device Driver in Device Manager