Windows – Is it possible to install a device driver without having the device

driverswindows 7windows-embedded-7

I need to install drivers for a Startech WiFi dongle, but I don't actually have one to hand.

Any instructions I've found on installing driver software involves going into the Device Manager and right-clicking on the device and going for there, but of course if I don't have the device then it won't appear there.

I've tried, "Add Legacy Hardware" => "Have Disk…" in the device manager, which lets me browse to my driver files, but after I browse to the driver file and click "OK", the list of network adapters is blank.

If I run the setup application that came with the device, then it also installs the utility, which I don't want.

Is this even possible?

Best Answer

from Administrative command prompt

pnputil -a e:\foldername\driver.inf

You will need to extract the driver until the *.inf file is visible.