How to Delete Driver Packages in Windows 11: Step-by-Step Guide to Fix Driver Issues

Driver packages in Windows 11 help your computer communicate properly with hardware devices. Sometimes, outdated or corrupted drivers can cause issues with your system’s performance. Deleting old or problematic driver packages can help fix these driver-related problems.

This guide will walk you through the easiest ways to delete driver packages safely. We will explain each step clearly, so even beginners can follow along without confusion.

By removing unnecessary or faulty drivers, you can improve system stability and avoid conflicts between devices. This process is especially useful if you have installed multiple versions of a driver and want a clean start.

Let’s get started with the basic steps to delete driver packages in Windows 11.

Quick Note Before You Begin

Make sure you have administrator rights on your Windows 11 PC. Deleting driver packages requires elevated permissions.
Create a system restore point or backup your important data. This ensures you can undo changes if something goes wrong.
Close all open programs to avoid conflicts during the driver removal process.
Identify the exact driver package or device you want to remove. Removing the wrong driver can cause hardware to stop working.

Step 1: Open Device Manager

Device Manager is a built-in Windows tool where you can view and manage all hardware and their drivers.

Click the Start button or press the Windows key on your keyboard.
Type Device Manager into the search bar and press Enter.
The Device Manager window will open, showing a list of hardware categories.

This step is important because Device Manager lets you see which devices have drivers installed and offers options to update, uninstall, or disable them.

Step 2: Locate the Device and Uninstall Its Driver

Now you need to find the device whose driver package you want to delete.

In Device Manager, click the arrow next to the category your device belongs to (for example, Display adapters for graphics cards).
Right-click on the device name you want to remove the driver for.
Select Uninstall device from the context menu.
In the pop-up window, check the box that says Delete the driver software for this device. This ensures the driver package is removed from the system, not just the device entry.
Click Uninstall to confirm.

Uninstalling the device driver this way removes both the device from Device Manager and the associated driver files. This is the basic method for deleting driver packages.

Step 3: Use the Command Prompt to Delete Driver Packages (Advanced)

If the device driver does not uninstall properly via Device Manager, you can use the Command Prompt to manually delete the driver package.

Click Start, type cmd, then right-click Command Prompt and choose Run as administrator.
In the command window, type the following command and press Enter to list all driver packages:

pnputil /enum-drivers

Look through the list to find the Published Name of the driver package you want to delete (it usually starts with oem and ends with .inf).
Type the following command to delete the driver package, replacing oemXX.inf with the actual published name:

pnputil /delete-driver oemXX.inf /uninstall /force

Press Enter. This command will forcibly remove the driver package from your system.

This method is useful when the graphical interface doesn’t allow driver removal, or when you want to clean up leftover driver files.

Alternative Method: Use the Settings App to Remove Devices

You can also uninstall devices and their drivers from the Windows Settings app.

Open Settings by pressing Windows + I.
Go to Bluetooth & devices or the relevant section for your hardware.
Find your device under the appropriate category.
Select the device and click Remove device.
Confirm the removal when prompted.

This method may not always delete the driver package itself, so combining it with Device Manager or Command Prompt steps is recommended for full removal.

FAQs About Deleting Driver Packages in Windows 11

Will deleting a driver package harm my computer?

Deleting a driver package removes the software that allows hardware to communicate with Windows. If you remove a necessary driver, the device may stop working. Always ensure you delete the correct driver and have backups.

Can I reinstall the driver after deleting it?

Yes. After deleting a driver, Windows may automatically reinstall a generic driver, or you can manually reinstall the latest driver from the manufacturer’s website.

Why should I delete old driver packages?

Old or unused driver packages can cause conflicts or take up disk space. Removing them helps maintain system stability and performance.

What if I cannot uninstall a driver using Device Manager?

Try the Command Prompt method with pnputil for advanced removal. Running Device Manager or Command Prompt as administrator is essential for successful uninstallation.

Is it safe to use the /force option with pnputil?

The /force option forces removal even if the driver is in use. Use it carefully, as it can cause temporary device malfunction until the driver is reinstalled.

When Nothing Works

If you still experience driver issues after attempting these steps, consider the following options:

System Restore: Roll back your system to a previous point where everything worked fine.
Windows Update: Check for updates that might include new driver versions.
Driver Update Tools: Use trusted third-party tools to scan and fix driver problems.
Official Support: Visit the Microsoft support page or your hardware manufacturer’s website for detailed assistance and downloads.

Conclusion

Deleting driver packages in Windows 11 can resolve many hardware and driver-related problems. Starting with Device Manager for simple uninstallation is best, followed by command-line tools for more stubborn drivers.

Always back up your system before making changes, and verify that you delete the correct driver package to avoid hardware issues. With these steps, you can keep your drivers up to date and your system running smoothly.