Quick Overview
DriverStore Explorer (RAPR) is a powerful tool for managing Windows driver packages. It provides a graphical user interface to view, add, and remove drivers from the Windows Driver Store, offering functionality beyond the built-in Windows tools. RAPR is particularly useful for system administrators and power users who need to manage drivers efficiently.
Pros
- User-friendly interface for managing drivers in the Windows Driver Store
- Ability to detect and remove old or redundant driver packages, freeing up disk space
- Supports both GUI and command-line interfaces for flexibility in usage
- Regular updates and active community support
Cons
- Requires administrative privileges to perform most operations
- May be overwhelming for casual users unfamiliar with driver management
- Potential risk of system instability if critical drivers are removed incorrectly
- Limited to Windows operating systems
Getting Started
To use DriverStore Explorer:
- Download the latest release from the GitHub releases page.
- Extract the ZIP file to a folder of your choice.
- Run
Rapr.exeas an administrator. - The main window will display all driver packages in the Driver Store.
- Use the interface to view, add, or remove driver packages as needed.
For command-line usage:
Rapr.exe /online /enum
Rapr.exe /online /delete <driver_inf_name>
Note: Always exercise caution when removing drivers, and ensure you have a system backup before making significant changes.
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Driver Store Explorer (RAPR)
â ï¸ Warning
Driver Store Explorer modifies the Windows driver store. Improper use can cause system malfunction, prevent Windows from booting, or result in loss of device functionality. Know the risks before proceeding. Always back up your drivers before deleting anything.
What is Driver Store Explorer?
Driver Store Explorer (RAPR) is a powerful tool for viewing, managing, and cleaning up the Windows DriverStore. It is intended for advanced users and administrators. If you are not familiar with Windows internals, use of this tool is discouraged.
Features
Core Operations
- Browse & List: View all third-party driver packages with detailed metadata (size, version, date etc.)
- Add/Install: Install new driver packages with optional automatic device installation
- Remove/Delete: Delete single or multiple drivers with force deletion for in-use drivers
Note: The exact implications of removing or deleting drivers depend on system state and usage. Exercise caution, as removal may affect device functionality or require reinstallation of drivers for certain hardware. - Export: Backup selected or all drivers to organized folder structures
- Smart Cleanup: Automatically identify and select old/unused driver versions
Advanced Capabilities
- Multiple APIs: Native Windows API, DISM, or PnPUtil backend support with auto-detection
- Online & Offline: Work with local machine or offline Windows image driver stores
- Device Association: View connected devices and their presence status
- Batch Operations: Multi-select for bulk operations with progress tracking
- Real-time Search: Live filtering and CSV export for analysis
User Interface
- Multi-language: 20+ languages with RTL support
- Customizable: Sortable columns, grouping, and flexible layout
- Visual Feedback: Color coding, selection highlighting, and detailed logging
Understanding Driver Status and Removal Options
- Old drivers: Drivers are considered as "old" when newer versions exist on the system. Removing these can help free up space and reduce clutter, but may impact compatibility with certain devices or configurations. Consider backing up drivers before removal. The "Select Old Driver(s)" can automatically identify old drivers, though results may vary.
- Grayed Device Names: Drivers shown with device names in gray are associated with devices that are not currently connected (such as cameras, phones, or external drives). If you remove these drivers, you will need to reinstall them if you reconnect the device in the future.
- Force Deletion: Use this option if you need to delete a driver that is currently in use. Note: This option may not work for print drivers.
Screenshot
Installation
Requirements
- Windows 7 or newer
- .NET Framework 4.6.2 or newer
- Administrator privileges
Option 1: Download Pre-built Binary (Recommended)
- Go to the latest release page
- Download the latest ZIP archive
- Extract the files to a folder of your choice
- Run
Rapr.exe
Option 2: Install via Winget (Recommended)
winget install lostindark.DriverStoreExplorer
After installation, launch the tool by running:
rapr
Option 3: Build from Source
- Clone or download this repository
- Open
Rapr.slnin Visual Studio 2022 - Build the solution (Build â Build Solution or Ctrl+Shift+B)
- Run the executable from the output directory
Project History
Originally hosted at https://driverstoreexplorer.codeplex.com/.
Credits
- ObjectListView
- Managed DismApi Wrapper
- FlexibleMessageBox
- Resource Embedder
- PortableSettingsProvider
- Strong Namer
Sponsors
Free code signing on Windows provided by SignPath.io, certificate by SignPath Foundation.
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