Where are drivers downloaded from windows update stored?

Question

I've got a printer that I periodically have to install on a number of computers... I've lost the driver disk, but the drivers are on windows update. The only problem is that windows update takes forever when I'm updating the printer driver db. I'd like to just toss the driver onto my network storage machine.

So where are they stored if I've already updated via windows update?

Solution 1

You may have better luck using a third-party piece of software such as DriverMax.

This will save you having to dig around the %windir%\SoftwareDistribution folder looking for cryptically named driver files. You can simply export the printer driver to a zipped file or a folder of your choosing and away you go.

I think an even better solution would be to head on over to the manufacturer's website for the printer and download the driver package directly from there. That way, you'll benefit from any additional features of the printer and have access to detailed settings that might not be available using the standard WHQL driver downloaded from Microsoft Update.

Solution 2

Download location is

C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution

You can also check this link - http://www.windowsbbs.com/windows-xp/46941-windows-update-default-download-folder.html

Comments

[mukama]

Sorry for the late reply: I've been off sick for a couple of days. I'll check out DriverMax and see if that'll work for what I need. The particular printer driver that is given from the manufacturer is in the form of an exe which also installs other software that I don't want on the workstations.

[JUL974]

I have used Windows Update an got the Folder from it. It is know on my google Drive so you can copy it : tinyurl.com/HPPRINTERSWUX64