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by Bill Detwiler, Head Technology Editor
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Sorting out device driver problems in Windows, can be a bit tricky. Windows Vista and XP often retain old drivers even if you upgrade or change hardware. Unfortunately, these old, and sometimes hidden, drivers can cause hardware conflicts or make your system behave erratically — even if you’re no longer using them. In this IT Dojo video, I’ll show you how to find those old drivers and root them out of your system once and for all.

Which device driver has caused you the most trouble in Windows Vista or XP?

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For those of you who prefer text to video, you can click the Transcript link that appears below the video player window or you can also read Greg Shultz’s article, “Get rid of old device drivers hidden in Vista,” on which this video is based.

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Bill DetwilerBill Detwiler is Head Technology Editor of TechRepublic. Previously, he worked as a Support Tech and IT Manager in the social research and energy industries. Read his full bio and profile. You can also follow him on Twitter.

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Which device driver has caused you the most trouble in Windows Vista or XP? Bill Detwiler - TechRepublicTechrepublic Moderator | 06/08/09
So far, so good santeewelding | 06/08/09
Or foreign crackers? JCitizen | 06/17/09
these old device drivers are like gold. pmclayton1@... | 06/09/09
Hear, Hear. RoseburgClint@... | 06/09/09
RAM drive Driver Threv | 06/09/09
Getting the device driver files joeller | 06/11/09
Removing drivers bcjinsantafe | 06/21/09
Right but, .... joeller | 06/23/09
posted in wrong place officerbill | 06/09/09
Adding system var sandrok911@... | 06/09/09
Also a good to know sandrok911@... | 06/09/09
PCI Standard RAM Controller x16 found hidden... chris1837@... | 06/09/09
I answered "none", then recalled ocie3@... | 06/09/09
The DevCon command-line utility functions as an alternative to Device Manag Walilaw | 06/09/09
how do repeated drivers occur? alliancemillsoft@... | 06/10/09
Results of removal kim.hall10@... | 06/10/09
Other, Ximeta NDAS over wireless 54g AlterGeek | 06/17/09
Unused Drivers gdpowell62@... | 06/17/09
Great tip! leo8888 | 06/22/09
XP Shutdown Problems denkile | 06/22/09
Realtek Sound Driver Install Problem rcward1@... | 07/09/09
Program or driver? rodan1@... | 12/29/09
RE: Video: Find and delete hidden Windows Vista and XP device drivers marcusphamilton@... | 06/09/09
RE: Video: Find and delete hidden Windows Vista and XP device drivers Bacarolle 1 | 06/09/09
RE: Video: Find and delete hidden Windows Vista and XP device drivers lcini | 06/09/09
RE: Video: Find and delete hidden Windows Vista and XP device drivers Irritated_User | 06/09/09
RE: Video: Find and delete hidden device drivers thula@... | 06/09/09
Had the same problem after purging Symantec.. JCitizen | 06/17/09
DM - View - Show Hidden Craig_B | 06/09/09
Re: DM - View - Show Hidden sandrok911@... | 06/09/09
Help with mass uninstall officerbill | 06/09/09
Mass uninstall sandrok911@... | 06/09/09
RE: Video: Find and delete hidden Windows Vista and XP device drivers brad@... | 06/09/09
RE: Video: Find and delete hidden Windows Vista and XP device drivers rscholz@... | 06/09/09
Hidden Driver waldenasta | 06/09/09
RE: Video: Find and delete hidden Windows Vista and XP device drivers jw1ls5n0129@... | 06/09/09
RE: delete hidden Windows device drivers rkramer@... | 06/09/09
Perhaps USB devices "installed" into varying ports KevinSGreen | 06/15/09
Makes sense to me... JCitizen | 06/17/09
nonpresent devices removal isdkm@... | 06/18/09
TechVideos.. I don't watch them e_caroline@... | 06/09/09
Noted. santeewelding | 06/09/09
Take a Chill Pill mmahan@... | 06/09/09
Depends on one's learning style dvl44@... | 06/09/09
Your characterization of a "real tech pro" is dead wrong Bill Detwiler - TechRepublicTechrepublic Moderator | 06/09/09
Funny how these complainers always claim they are... JCitizen | 06/17/09
Sorry, but e_caroline has a point... aylb@... | 06/17/09
Dang! JCitizen | 06/19/09
I don't watch them either, but.... joeller | 06/12/09
Here! Here!... JCitizen | 06/17/09
Constructive Idea bernalillo | 06/12/09
What an IDIOT! earthrat@... | 06/17/09
RE: Video: Find and delete hidden Windows Vista and XP device drivers johnlindemann@... | 06/09/09
RE: Video: Find and delete hidden Windows Vista and XP device drivers thomas.moore@... | 06/09/09
RE: Video: Find and delete hidden Windows Vista and XP device drivers microface@... | 06/09/09
Let me count the ways... mikifinaz1@... | 06/09/09
MS tech support joeller | 06/12/09
One of the few Windows issues I couldn't solve.. JCitizen | 06/17/09
RE: Video: Find and delete hidden Windows Vista and XP device drivers john.m.stewart@... | 06/09/09
RE: Video: Find and delete hidden Windows Vista and XP device drivers debbie.keller@... | 06/09/09
RE: Video: Find and delete hidden Windows Vista and XP device drivers dbryce@... | 06/09/09
bluetooth took me a full day Onno@... | 06/09/09
Me too except... JCitizen | 06/17/09
RE: Video: Find and delete hidden Windows Vista and XP device drivers groufskd | 06/09/09
RE: Video: Find and delete hidden Windows Vista and XP device drivers Gis Bun | 06/09/09
RE: Video: Find and delete hidden Windows Vista and XP device drivers luis_a_lema@... | 06/09/09
RE: Video: Find and delete hidden Windows Vista and XP device drivers waltrutka@... | 06/09/09
Hidden Non-Plug and Play Antivirus Drivers lizzz@... | 06/10/09
RE: Which device driver has caused you the most trouble hughes.ctr@... | 06/10/09
RE: Video: Find and delete hidden Windows Vista and XP device drivers bud6642 | 06/11/09
Nice Tip! bernalillo | 06/11/09
RE: Video: Find and delete hidden Windows Vista and XP device drivers ronbo256@... | 06/11/09
After doing this, my advise alliancemillsoft@... | 06/12/09
RE: Video: Find and delete hidden Windows Vista and XP device drivers d.g.buckley@... | 06/12/09
Sometimes the message is right. actonlab@... | 06/13/09
Thanks d.g.buckley@... | 06/14/09
RE: Video: Find and delete hidden Windows Vista and XP device drivers n.champaigne@... | 06/12/09
System bus drivers PhilippeV | 06/14/09
Interesting.. JCitizen | 06/17/09
RE: Video: Find and delete hidden Windows Vista and XP device drivers clarity1 | 06/15/09
Microsoft Transciever v 3.0 for Bluetooth JCitizen | 06/17/09
RE: Video: Find and delete hidden Windows Vista and XP device drivers peter.stephens@... | 06/17/09
is the hardward or software? tommyjin the usa | 06/17/09
troubled driver parport.sys blu_lau_vip@... | 06/17/09
Yellow splat... JCitizen | 06/22/09
RE: Video: Find and delete hidden Windows Vista and XP device drivers tgramm@... | 06/18/09
RE: Video: Find and delete hidden Windows Vista and XP device drivers mikem@... | 06/18/09
RE: Video: Find and delete hidden Windows Vista and XP device drivers emeutia@... | 07/01/09
RE: Video: Find and delete hidden Windows Vista and XP device drivers gypkap@... | 07/15/09

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