How to roll back a driver installation in Windows step by step

Rolling back a driver installation in Windows is a task that many users overlook until they encounter a problem after a recent update. Whether it's because the new driver creates conflicts, causes system instability, prevents a component from functioning properly, or is simply incompatible, Knowing how to go back can save you hours of frustration. Nowadays, it's very common that after installing a new version of a driver, you notice that everything was working better before and you don't know how to undo that change. Fortunately, Windows offers several options to reset drivers in a simple and effective way, but scattered or unclear information on the Internet can complicate the process for those who are not familiar with it.

In this article, you'll find a complete and up-to-date guide on how to roll back a driver installation in Windows, as well as tips to avoid problems with future updates. Using best practices and based on information from leading official sources and reference forums, we explain step by step how to revert to a previous driver, when it's worth doing so, and what alternatives exist if the driver rollback option isn't available. We also explain how to download the correct driver versions and the scenarios in which a rollback is a good idea. This way, you'll have control and peace of mind that your system will run stably and efficiently.

Why might you need to roll back a driver in Windows?

Updating device drivers is often necessary to ensure optimal compatibility, performance, and security. However, It is common for a driver update to cause problems.: from performance glitches and function crashes to blue screens or system freezes. This is especially true for drivers for video cards, network adapters, sound devices, and printers.

Some of the most common reasons why you might want to roll back a driver installation in Windows are:

• The new driver generates conflicts with the hardware, causing errors or malfunctions.
• The update installs an incompatible driver with your version of Windows or the specific device.
• The updated driver removes important features that were present in the previous version.
• Stability issues such as crashes, slowdowns, or failures to start the system after the update.
• You are testing drivers in beta phase and you need to revert to the previous stable version quickly.

In any of these situations, The option to roll back the installed driver is key to return your computer to a functional state without having to reinstall the entire operating system or restore a full backup.

What happens when you install a new driver in Windows?

Windows, for several versions, has incorporated an automated functionality that back up the previous driver every time a driver update is installed. This allows you to reverse the change and return to the version that was working correctly if problems are detected after the update. Many users are unaware of this option and opt to manually search for and install an older version, unaware that the system itself has the previous driver saved, ready to be easily restored.

How to roll back to a previous version of a driver using Device Manager

Windows Device Manager is the primary tool for managing hardware drivers on your computer. By following these steps, you can restore an old driver in less than a minute:

1. Balance Win + R to open the Run dialog box. Writes devmgmt.msc and press Enter to open Device Manager.
2. Find the category of the hardware whose driver you want to roll back (for example, “Display Adapters” for a graphics card).
3. Right click on the problematic device and select Properties.
4. Go to the tab Controller.
5. Click the button Revert to the previous controller (or “Restore Driver”).
6. Confirm the action when prompted. Windows will reinstall the previous driver version and return the device to its original state before the change.
7. When you're done, restart your computer if prompted for the changes to take full effect.

Important: If the Roll Back Driver option is grayed out or unavailable, it may mean that a previous version has not been installed from Windows, the driver has never been updated, or the backup copy of the old driver has been deleted.

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Workarounds if the "roll back driver" option does not appear

It is not always possible to use the rollback function from Device Manager itself, for example:

• The manufacturer has not provided a previous stock driver.
• A driver has been manually installed without Windows saving a previous copy.
• The equipment is new and has only had one version of the driver installed.

In these cases, you have several practical alternatives:

1. Manually download and install the old version of the driver

Visit the official website of the hardware manufacturer (for example, NVIDIA, AMD, Intel, HP, Lenovo, Realtek, among others) and look for the support section or downloads. They usually offer previous versions of each driver there. Make sure you download the exact version that matches your device model and operating system.. Then, follow these steps to install it correctly:

1. Download and save the old driver file to your hard drive.
2. Unzip the file if it comes in compressed format (ZIP or similar).
3. Go to Device Manager.
4. Right click on the device, select Update Driver.
5. In the window that opens, choose Search for drivers on your computer.
6. Click on Examine… and select the folder where you unzipped the old driver.
7. Click on Next for Windows to install the selected driver.
8. If Windows detects that the version is older, it will ask if you want to install it anyway. Accept and continue.

2. Uninstall the problematic driver

Another useful alternative is to simply uninstall the driver that's causing the errors. To do this:

1. Open Device Manager as explained above.
2. Right click on the affected device and select Uninstall device.
3. Check the “Delete the driver software for this device” option if available.
4. Restart your computer. In most cases, Windows will automatically reinstall the most stable or generic version of the driver during the next Boot.

This method is useful if you want Windows to restore a compatible base driver or if you plan to manually install an older version.

3. Use system restore points

When a driver update causes serious problems and you cannot roll back or download a previous version, an emergency option is restore the system to a point before the change. Windows usually creates restore points automatically before major changes such as driver installation, although this isn't always enabled by default.

1. Balance Win + R, writes rstruct and hit Enter.
2. Follow the wizard to select a restore point created before the problematic driver update.
3. Confirm the restore and wait for Windows to finish the process and restart your computer.

This process may affect other settings or files if they have been modified between the restore point and the current time.

Some useful tips before updating or rolling back a driver

• Create a manual restore point before installing drivers, especially if they're beta or pre-release versions. You can do this from the Windows search engine by typing "Create restore point" and following the wizard.
• Always download drivers from official sources (never from websites of dubious origin) to ensure that they are safe and do not contain malware.
• Note the version and date of the current driver before installing a new one. This makes it easier to go back if problems arise.
• If you can't find the right driver, consult the manufacturer's technical support. or search specialized forums with screenshots and hardware details.
• For graphics, network and sound adapters, Update drivers only if the manufacturer recommends it or there are problems, especially on older computers or those with sensitive hardware.

Related article:

How to Update Graphics Drivers in Windows 7 and Windows 10

Isaac

Passionate writer about the world of bytes and technology in general. I love sharing my knowledge through writing, and that's what I'll do on this blog, show you all the most interesting things about gadgets, software, hardware, tech trends, and more. My goal is to help you navigate the digital world in a simple and entertaining way.