Last Updated on December 24, 2022 by Mathew Diekhake
Windows Vista makes it easy to uninstall a device/program and device driver. It is not essential to remove devices/programs or drivers from a computer. However, if you are running out of drive space, you may wish to uninstall a device or program. Driver files are much smaller than the average program. But you may wish to uninstall old drivers to avoid conflicts, or you may wish to uninstall an existing problematic driver and replace it with another driver version.
The following tutorial demonstrates how to uninstall a device and device driver when using a version of the Windows Vista operating system.
How to Uninstall a Device/Driver in Windows Vista
There are two ways you can uninstall a device, device driver, and program in Windows Vista. One method is simpler to follow, and the other using Device Manager is more complicated but offers more options to change devices and drivers beyond uninstalling them. Here is how to do both:
1. The main way to install a device or program is from the Control Panel. Open the Control Panel and select Classic View from the top left corner. From Classic View, click on Programs and Features.
2. You will now see the Uninstall or change a program heading, under which are the devices/device drivers and programs installed on your computer. Click once on the device/device driver or program you want to uninstall, and then click on the Uninstall button at the top of the menu to remove that entry from the entire computer. |
The method above is the simplest way to remove devices, drivers, and programs from a computer, but there is also another way, that is very popular among technicians. Here is how to do it their way:
1. Open the Control Panel, ensuring it is showing in its Classic View again, and click on the Device Manager icon.
2. Scroll down the list of devices in Device Manager and click on the + symbol next to it to expand the device. You will now have a submenu with other devices or drivers asscociated with the same device. Click to highlight the one you want to delete and then right-click on it and select Uninstall from the context menu.
3. Rather than uninstalling immediately, it will open the Properties dialog for that device or driver. This is important so you can do more associated tasks than just uninstalling, which is why Device Manager is popular among technicians. But those looking to simply uninstall can click on the Uninstall button from the Properties dialog.
In conclusion, that is how to uninstall a device, device driver, or program in Windows Vista.