PnPUtil Command Syntax

  • 2 minutes to read
  • Contributors
    • Eliot Graff
    • NabilFates
    • Nathan Bazan

To run PnPUtil, open a Command Prompt window (Run as Administrator) and type a command using the following syntax and parameters.

Note  PnPUtil (PnPUtil.exe) is included in every version of Windows, starting with Windows Vista (in the %windir%\system32 directory).

pnputil [/add-driver <...> | /delete-driver <...> |
         /export-driver <...> | /enum-drivers | /?]

Commands

/add-driver <filename.inf | *.inf> [/subdirs] [/install] [/reboot]

Add driver package(s) into the driver store.

/subdirs - traverse sub directories for driver packages.  
/install - install/update drivers on any matching devices.  
/reboot - reboot system if needed to complete the operation.

/delete-driver <oem#.inf> [/uninstall] [/force] [/reboot]

Delete driver package from the driver store.

/uninstall - uninstall driver package from any devices using it.  
/force - delete driver package even when it is in use by devices.  
/reboot - reboot system if needed to complete the operation.

/export-driver <oem#.inf | *>

Export driver package(s) from the driver store into a target directory.

/enum-drivers

Enumerate all 3rd party driver packages in the driver store.

/?

Displays the command-line syntax.

Legacy Command Mapping

The following commands are still supported, but are legacy. We recommend that you use the up-to-date syntax instead.

  -a [-i]  <filename.inf> ==> /add-driver <filename.inf> [/install]

  -d [-f]  <oem#.inf>     ==> /delete-driver <oem#.inf> [/force]

  -e                     ==> /enum-drivers

Comments

For examples of how to use the PnPUtil tool, see PnPUtil Examples.