Tutorial to backup/export currently installed Windows 10 printer drivers

[arlen holder]

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Tutorial to backup/export currently installed Windows 10 printer drivers

Please improve so that all benefit from every action.
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1. DISM: (Deployment Image Servicing and Management tool Version: 10.0.17763.1)

Open an admin prompt:
mkdir C:\tmp\hp2100\hp2100_bck_DISM
dism /online /export-driver /destination:C:\tmp\hp2100\hp2100_bck_DISM

Each driver is exported in a separate folder in which not only *.inf files
are placed, but also all related files (*.sys, *.dll, *.exe etc).
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2. PSEXPORT: (Export-WindowsDriver)

Open an admin prompt:
mkdir C:\tmp\hp2100\hp2100_bck_PSEXPORT
%SystemRoot%\system32\WindowsPowerShell\v1.0\powershell.exe
Export-WindowsDriver -Online -Destination C:\tmp\hp2100\hp2100_bck_PSEXPORT
exit
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3. BRMEXPORT: (printer migration wizard export)

Open an admin prompt:
mkdir C:\tmp\hp2100\hp2100_bck_BRMEXPORT
%SystemRoot%\system32\PrintBrmUi.exe
(o) Export printer queues and printer drivers to a file
(_) Import printer queues and printer drivers from a file
Next
(o) This print server (\\servername)
(_) A print server on the network
Next
Review the list of items to be exported > Next
Export printer data to: (Browse & choose a file name)
(For example: C:\tmp\hp2100_bck_BRMEXPORT\hp2100brmexport)
(This will save the file with ".printerExport" as the extension.)
(C:\tmp\hp2100\hp2100_bck_BRMEXPORT\hp2100brmexport.printerExport
Next (Saved printer port 192.168.1.116_8, TCP)
Finish
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4. PMCEXPORT: (Print Managemnent Control export)

mkdir C:\tmp\hp2100\hp2100_bck_PMCEXPORT
%SystemRoot%\system32\printmanagement.msc
(Expand "Print Servers" in the left pane.)
(Right click on the "local" print server.)
(Select "Export printers to a file")
(This brings up the same "Printer Migration" wizard as before.)
Review the list of items to be exported > Next
Select the file location > Browse > (Choose a location)
(For example: C:\tmp\hp2100_bck_PMCEXPORT\hp2100pmcexport)
(This will save the file with ".printerExport" as the extension.)
(C:\tmp\hp2100\hp2100_bck_BRMEXPORT\hp2100brmexport.printerExport)
Next (Saved printer port 192.168.1.116_8, TCP)
Finish
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Note: Some people suggest these freeware tools:
o Double Driver <http://www.boozet.org/dd.htm>
o DrvBack <https://sourceforge.net/projects/drvback/
Be advised that these tools may fail to back up PRINTER drivers. :(
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How to restore printer drivers which you archived above:
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A. The user should be able to restore the drivers simply by doubleclicking
on either of the *.printerExport files created using the steps above.
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B. The user should be able to restore the device drivers using DISM:
dism /online /Add-Driver /Driver:C:\tmp\driversPS /Recurse
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C. The user can restore the drivers by using the Windows Device Manager GUI:
%SystemRoot%\system32\devmgmt.msc
(Rightclick on the desired device & choose "Update Driver".)
(Select "Browse my computer for driver software")
(Select the backup & make sure "Include subfolders" is checked.)
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D. The user can restore drivers by running the Printer Migration wizard:
%SystemRoot%\system32\PrintBrmUi.exe
(o) Import printer queues and printer drivers from a file
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E. The user can restore drivers by running the Printer Management console:
%SystemRoot%\system32\printmanagement.msc
(Expand "Print Servers" in the left pane.)
(Right click on the "local" print server.)
(Select "Import printers from a file")

Note there may be an option for
o Keep existing printers (this won't overwrite existing printer drivers)
o Overwrite existing printers (this will replace existing printer drivers)
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Note: There may be other methods for backing up printer drivers that I'm
unaware of, so please do suggest working methods so that everyone benefits
from your knowledge.
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For updates, please consult the (admittedly horrid) archives located at:
http://tinyurl.com/alt-comp-os-windows-10 & at
http://alt.comp.os.windows-10.narkive.com

Usenet keyword searches may be performed at: https://www.binsearch.info/
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--
fup set to _only_ the alt.comp.os.windows-10 archives, as per Mike Easter.

[arlen holder]

On Sat, 13 Apr 2019 00:40:24 -0000 (UTC), arlen holder wrote:

> Tutorial to backup/export currently installed Windows 10 printer drivers

See also where typical 3rd-party suggested driver backup methods apparently fail:
o How do we save an old already installed HP printer driver on Windows 10 for future use?
<https://groups.google.com/d/msg/comp.sys.hp.hardware/YZzZVkdm8Ig/yBZfNN4MCgAJ>

Why do the typical 3rd-party driver backup methods (apparently) fail?
o I don't know why.

Do you?