Integrate drivers in a "living" Windows

[FranceBB]

Hi,

I'm here to ask you a kinda weird question this time. I know that Windows has a limit of components that you can change, but there is a workaround to avoid them to be checked. That said, I use to simply swap my hard drive/SSD and/or clone it in order to change computers. I mean, I just have to unplug my hard drive (or SSD) from my actual computer, plug it again in a new motherboard (a brand new config), install drivers and everything is ready.

I know that, thanks to Nlite, I can integrate drivers packs in a Windows Install (I did it in the past), but I was wondering whether it's possible to do it in a "living" Windows or not.

Thank you in advance. ^_^

[jaclaz]

You may use the offline sysprep approach.

Offline Sysprep:
http://www.911cd.net/forums//index.php?&showforum=43

http://forum.driverpacks.net/viewtopic.php?id=3312

jaclaz

[FranceBB]

Ok, so... I did something slightly different. I decided to integrate drivers using nlite, then I copied the new i386 folder (containing drivers) in C and I set Windows to look at that folder instead of looking for a CD via regedit (I just had to change a path in a key). In other words, now if I would like to install, for instance, a new language, it won't ask for the Windows CD, but it will look for the required files in the folder named i386 I copied in C. That said, it should do the same with drivers every time I connect a new device and every time I change my hardware.

[jaclaz]

Well, not to put you down in any way , but that is the "normal" behaviour when you install "from hard disk" (as opposed to "from external media"), something that many OEM's and most technicians have done since good ol' NT times.

jaclaz

Edited April 4, 2016 by jaclaz