Hardware vendors usually update the device's drivers regularly, to modify bugs in older drivers, improve driver compatibility, and so on, in general, newer drivers often mean better performance and more reliable stability, which is what many friends see when a vendor publishes a new driver The main reason for the system driver to be updated immediately within the first time.
But we also have to face up to another problem, that is, the new version of the driver often means immature, not in a wide range of hardware and application conditions for extensive testing and there is such a problem, although it is related to the technical capabilities of manufacturers, responsibility, but in many cases is unavoidable. The impact is a direct reduction in system stability, particularly in Windows Vista, where Windows Vista is relatively demanding for drivers, and improper drivers are often the main cause of stability--in this case, The feasible solution is to revert the driver to the old version before the update, after all, to ensure the stable operation of the system is the first requirement.
So what if you don't have an older version of the driver on hand? Is it impossible to revert to using the old version of the driver state?
The answer is no, in Windows vista--also includes Windows xp--, the system automatically backs up older drivers before applying a new version of the driver, in case there is a problem that allows the user to simply switch back to the driver that was normally used. Here's how to use Windows Vista as an example to describe specific steps.
switch back to the older driver in Windows Vista
- Log on to Windows Vista with an administrator or a user with Administrator privileges;
- Right-click in the desktop's computer icon, select Properties, and select Device Manager in the Properties window's task list;
Of course, you can also access Device Manager through the Control Panel or other means.
The corresponding UAC prompt window will pop up and click "Continue"
- According to the specific needs, in the Device Manager to find the appropriate device, the folding items can be clicked next to the "+" to expand,
- Right-click on the device item that you want to switch back to the older driver, select Properties;
- Click on the "Driver" tab page;
- Here you can see the "Roll Back Driver" button, click and Confirm when you pop up the query window to switch the driver used by the device to the older driver, which allows Windows Vista to reinstall the older driver.
If the logged-on user does not have administrator rights, or if the device driver is not updated with the original driver, the Rollback driver button appears dimmed as an optional state.
This allows Windows Vista to uninstall the updated driver and still use the older version with better stability.
Note : As mentioned above, this method also applies to Windows XP, except that in Windows XP the corresponding button is identified as "return driver (R)" Instead of "rollback driver (R)", which is another inconsistency in Microsoft's Chinese translation process. Even though you use "Roll back Driver" in English windows.