Over time, your Windows 11 PC can accumulate old, unused drivers from previously connected devices like printers, scanners, old phones, or external hardware. These leftover drivers, often called “ghost” or hidden drivers, take up disk space and can sometimes cause conflicts. When you connect a new device that relies on an outdated or conflicting driver, it may not work properly—even if Windows recognizes it—or it might function only partially.
In such cases, removing the old drivers is a good step. After removal, restart your computer and install the latest drivers directly from the device manufacturer’s official website for the best compatibility and performance.
Always proceed with caution: only remove drivers you are certain are unused to avoid disrupting essential hardware like your graphics card, network adapter, or storage controllers.
Accessing Device Manager
The primary tool for managing drivers in Windows 11 is Device Manager.
- Right-click the Start button (Windows logo) on the taskbar.
- From the context menu, select Device Manager.
Alternatively, press Windows key + X and choose Device Manager, or search for “Device Manager” in the Start menu. You need administrator privileges, so if prompted, confirm with yes.
Showing Hidden and Non-Present Devices
By default, Device Manager hides old or disconnected devices.
- In Device Manager, click the View menu at the top.
- Select Show hidden devices.
This reveals faded (grayed-out or transparent) icons for non-present or unused devices. These represent old hardware drivers that Windows still remembers but are no longer active.
Expand categories like “Universal Serial Bus controllers,” “Network adapters,” “Human Interface Devices,” “Printers,” or “Other devices” to spot them. Look for faded entries related to old peripherals you no longer use.
Identifying and Removing Unnecessary Drivers
Carefully review the list:
- Focus on faded icons for devices you haven’t used in years (e.g., an old webcam, printer, or USB device).
- Avoid removing anything related to current hardware, such as display adapters, processors, system devices, or disk drives.
- If unsure about a device, research its name online or leave it alone.
To remove:
- Right-click the faded device entry.
- Select Uninstall device.
- In the confirmation dialog, check the box Delete the driver software for this device (if available). This removes the driver package from the Driver Store, preventing automatic reinstallation.
- Click Uninstall or OK.
Repeat for other unused entries.
After Removal
Restart your computer to apply changes fully.
If you plan to connect the old device again or a similar one:
- Download and install fresh drivers from the manufacturer’s website (e.g., Dell, HP, Logitech, or Realtek).
- Avoid relying on Windows Update for critical drivers, as manufacturer versions often include better features and fixes.
For deeper cleanup of the Driver Store (advanced users), tools like Disk Cleanup (search for “cleanmgr,” select “Clean up system files,” and check “Device driver packages”) can remove duplicate/old versions. Third-party tools like Driver Store Explorer (RAPR) exist but use them only if comfortable.
Conclusion
Regularly cleaning out old drivers helps maintain a lean, efficient Windows 11 system, reduces potential conflicts, and frees up space. By using Device Manager’s built-in features, you can safely target only unnecessary items without risking system stability. Always back up important data before making changes, and if issues arise after removal, Windows can usually reinstall needed drivers via Device Manager’s “Scan for hardware changes” option or System Restore. This simple maintenance task keeps your PC running smoothly for new hardware additions.