Quick overview:
Installing new hardware, upgrading and removing devices are the horror of any Windows operating system, as old driver remnants remain in the configuration, which can cause problems and reduce speed.
Identify and delete driver corpses via the device manager
You can also find these drivers in the Device Manager using a small hidden setting and can remove them without hesitation.
1. Click with the right mouse button on Workplace and select Properties.
2. Now click on the tab Extended and then to Environment variables. Click under System variables the button New and enter under Name of the variable now the name devmgr_show_nonpresent_devices in. Under Value of the variable you must have a 1 type in. Now close this window!
3. Now switch to Hardware and look for the Device Manager which will take you straight to the overview of all system components. Here you can click on View > Show hidden devices.
If you now click on the +-icons, dozens of unused driver corpses are revealed.
3. All entries that are now displayed paler can usually be deleted without hesitation, as they are simply no longer needed by the system and are relics from long-forgotten times. Some are still needed and will be (re)installed automatically the next time the system is started. Nevertheless, I recommend creating a backup or using the system restore function and not removing all entries at once: Proceed step by step to make it easier to recognize potential problems - if there are any.
NOTE FOR NEW PUBLICATION: This article was produced by Sandro Villinger and comes from the Windows Tweaks archive, which has been built up since the late 1990s.
On Windows Tweaks you will find time-saving tech guides for PC, software & Microsoft. For a stress-free digital everyday life. Already we have been "tweaking" Windows since 1998 and just won't stop!
