Driver Store Explorer: Manage and Clean the Windows Driver Store
Driver Store Explorer (RAPR) is a free, open source Windows program that lists every third-party driver package in the Windows Driver Store and lets you add, export or delete them. Its most popular feature selects outdated driver versions, for example old Nvidia, AMD or Intel graphics drivers, so you can remove them and get back disk space. It needs administrator rights to make changes.
This guide explains what the Driver Store is, how to download and run Driver Store Explorer on Windows 10 and Windows 11, how to remove old drivers safely, and which built-in command does the same job without extra software.
What is the Windows Driver Store?
The Windows Driver Store is the trusted collection of Microsoft (inbox) and third-party driver packages that Windows keeps on the local drive, and only packages in the Driver Store can be installed on a device. Microsoft introduced it with Windows Vista, and every later version of Windows uses it. The package files live under C:\Windows\System32\DriverStore\FileRepository.
Copying a driver package into the store is called staging. Before staging, Windows checks that the package is signed through a catalog file and that its INF file is valid and references every required file. Only after that can a device use the driver.
The problem is that Windows rarely removes packages it no longer needs. Every graphics, chipset or printer driver update adds a new package, and the old ones stay. On a PC that has received many GPU driver updates, the FileRepository folder can grow to several gigabytes.
Microsoft is clear that files in the Driver Store must not be removed or modified by hand. Deleting folders in File Explorer can break devices. Driver Store Explorer avoids that by removing whole packages through the supported Windows interfaces.
How to download and install Driver Store Explorer
Driver Store Explorer is available from the official DriverStoreExplorer GitHub repository by developer lostindark, licensed under GPL-2.0. It runs on Windows 7 and newer, including Windows 10 and Windows 11, and requires the .NET Framework 4.7.2 or newer.
You have two official ways to get it:
- Download the latest ZIP from the GitHub releases page, extract it to a folder, and run Rapr.exe.
- Install it with the Windows Package Manager: run winget install lostindark.DriverStoreExplorer in Terminal, then start it with the command rapr.
The program is portable, so the ZIP version needs no installer. Recent 1.0 releases also include an in-app self-update with SHA256 verification. Avoid third-party download portals: the GitHub repository and winget are the only sources you need, and both deliver the same open source build.
How to use Driver Store Explorer
Driver Store Explorer opens with a sortable list of all third-party driver packages in the store, showing the INF name, provider, class, version, date and size of each one. Start it with Run as administrator; without elevation, the program cannot delete or add packages.
The main features are:
- Enumerate drivers with live search, grouping and color coding, and export the list to CSV.
- Add driver packages, optionally installing them on matching devices.
- Delete one or many packages, with a force deletion option for packages that are in use.
- Export selected or all drivers into organized folders as a backup.
- Select old driver versions automatically, and in recent versions select drivers that no device uses.
- Show associated devices and whether they are currently present.
- Work on the running system or on an offline Windows image.
- Choose the backend: native Windows API, DISM or PnPUtil.
Sorting by size is the fastest way to see where the space goes: display drivers are usually at the top.
How to remove old drivers with Driver Store Explorer
Driver Store Explorer removes old drivers in a few clicks, but check the selection before you delete anything. Follow these steps:
- Create a restore point or system backup, and export the drivers you plan to remove with the Export option.
- Run Rapr.exe as administrator and wait for the list to load.
- Click Select Old Drivers. The program marks driver packages that have been superseded by a newer version.
- Review the selection: compare names, versions and dates, and uncheck anything you are unsure about, such as storage, network or chipset drivers.
- Click Delete Package and confirm the prompt.
- Read the log. Packages that are still in use fail without force deletion.
Use Force Deletion only when you know the device does not need that package, because it can remove the driver a device currently uses. If a deletion goes wrong, roll back with a restore point; the ghacks guide to managing System Restore from the command line covers the commands.
Is Driver Store Explorer safe?
Driver Store Explorer is safe to use when you download it from the official GitHub repository or winget and review what you delete. It is open source, so anyone can inspect the code, and it removes packages through the same interfaces Windows provides (the Windows API, DISM or PnPUtil) instead of deleting files directly.
The risk lies in what you remove, not in the program. The developer describes it as a tool for advanced users and administrators and recommends backing up drivers before deleting anything. Deleting the only package for a boot or storage controller, or force-deleting a driver in use, can leave a device without a driver. Keep these rules in mind:
- Delete old versions only, and keep the newest package for every device.
- Leave force deletion off unless you have a specific reason.
- Export drivers first, so you can reinstall them from the Add Package option.
- Have a restore point or full system image ready.
If you mainly want to reinstall or update drivers rather than clean them up, a driver updater such as Snappy Driver Installer Origin is the better fit.
Driver Store Explorer vs PnPUtil
PnPUtil is the command line tool built into Windows that does the core work of Driver Store Explorer without a graphical interface. It is located in %windir%\system32 and must be run from an elevated command prompt.
| Task | Driver Store Explorer | PnPUtil command |
|---|---|---|
| List drivers | Main list with size and date | pnputil /enum-drivers |
| Delete a package | Delete Package | pnputil /delete-driver oem12.inf |
| Delete a package in use | Force Deletion | pnputil /delete-driver oem12.inf /uninstall /force |
| Back up drivers | Export | pnputil /export-driver * C:\DriverBackup |
| Find old versions | Select Old Drivers | Manual comparison |
The PnPUtil command syntax is documented by Microsoft; the enum, delete and export commands work on Windows 10 version 1607 and later. PnPUtil does not show package sizes or pick old versions for you, which is why Driver Store Explorer is faster for cleanup. For a backup with DISM instead, see how to export Windows drivers using DISM.
FAQ
What does Rapr.exe do?
Rapr.exe is the executable of Driver Store Explorer. Running it opens the driver package list; it is not a background process or a Windows component.
Can I delete the FileRepository folder manually?
No. Microsoft states that staged files must not be removed or modified directly. Remove whole packages with Driver Store Explorer or PnPUtil instead.
Does Driver Store Explorer remove Microsoft inbox drivers?
No. It lists and manages third-party driver packages, the oem#.inf packages added by hardware vendors, not the inbox drivers that ship with Windows.
How much space can I free up?
It depends on how many driver updates the PC has received. Sort the list by size after selecting old drivers to see the total for your system before you delete.
Related: find large files with WizTree, Windows Maintenance Tool for repairs and cleanup
Thank you!!!
The software reviewed herein was already reviewed on gHacks.net in the past:
https://www.ghacks.net/2017/04/08/manage-windows-drivers-with-driver-store-explorer/
On my Windows 10 laptop it selected only one of 42 NVIDIA drivers as “old”. Is this expected behavior?
Screenshot at http://tinypic.com/r/21b6fbl/9
Can this be used to manipulate the Driver Store on an offline Windows 10 volume, or a Windows 10 volume attached as a secondary drive?
I ask because I’ve come across an issue at least three times now where a Windows 10 machine loses keyboard and mouse input, and not a thing seems to fix it, unless the user has working Restore Points set. I won’t turn this into a rant about how badly Windows 10 sucks, but really – this should never happen in ANY OS!
Excellent, thanks a lot !
Okay — on my Windows 7 system, I have:
* nothing under C:\Windows\SysWOW64\DriverStore\FileRepository, and
* around 1GB of stuff under C:\Windows\System32\DriverStore\FileRepository.
DriverStore Explorer isn’t loading anything. I “installed” it as a portable program under C:\Program Files (portable)\DriverStore Explorer and set the executable to run as Administrator.
Did I miss something? Do I have to have .NET Framework 4.0 exactly? .NET Framework 4.7.1 won’t do the trick?
From my research …
WIN-Vista/7 … Codeplex Archive project | https://archive.codeplex.com/?p=driverstoreexplorer ->
-> dLoad | link caption [download archive]
ie, https://codeplexarchive.blob.core.windows.net/archive/projects/driverstoreexplorer/driverstoreexplorer.zip
+ all issues are dated 2013 to 2015/2016, I assume fixed for Win-7
+ discussions are mostly Win-10 probs (which has been resolved in Github project, they hope
( in 2012 there were probs with non-English versions, resolved by developer in v0.5 (30-12-12)
I think it is for Windows 10 64-bit ONLY
Softpedia have it listed as Win-10 64-bit, but nothing on the “Driver Store Explorer” Github home page to clarify OSs.?
I am on the lookout for a program suitable for Win-7 PRO 64-bit
When I select the old drivers, I see -in one case- the highest version number is checked.
Can this be right?
RAPR has to run as an administrator to change anything, at least my prtable version does. The same thing can be done with DOS commands or Power Shell but you have to know, usually easy if the date is considered, which drivers to delete. RAPR is much easier. Driver Store can be a royal pain at times, good to know what it is and what’s in it. You’ll be surprised how much junk is in there.
Old drivers are in …DriverStore\FileRepository.
DOS method, open 2 administrator windows.
First one lists all the installed drivers
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/previous-versions/windows/it-pro/windows-server-2008-R2-and-2008/cc733034(v%3dws.10)
Second does the deleting
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/previous-versions/windows/it-pro/windows-server-2008-R2-and-2008/cc771484(v=ws.10)
This can be done in one window by alternating the commands but it gets very confusing fast.
Awesome stuff!
Great for those on laptops with a small HDD. Going to give this a shot when I have a chance.
I’ve used it for a while. It works fine, most of the time. Occasionally, it’ll remove something critical. I had it remove all drivers for a laptop’s trackpad. However, that was because HP misconfigured something. I was able to install from the internet, and it worked just fine.
Very usefull ,handy tool !
Just cleaned a lot of old-driver-crap , gives you a bit more air again………….!
Am I the only person concerned the binary is called raper (“Rapr.exe”) ?
@pd
Like John said.
I’ll add this, these overly sensitivities are one of the greatest social diseases of this century, whereby once contracted everything will become offensive including the truth.
Would be much nicer if instead people would worry about real problems and real ofensive problems in the real world.
But yes of course, that wont happen either.
“these overly sensitivities are one of the greatest social diseases of this century”
I am increasingly leaning toward the opinion that hyperbole is the greatest social disease of this century. That or fear, but the two are deeply intertwined.
@tisdisgusting
Nailed it.
Yes, you probably are – & for good reason too. There’s a vast difference between raper & rapr & it’s only your outrageously wild imagination believing of a connection & more importantly & quite ridiculously, actually concerned by it.
This should be in every Nvidia users toolbox, those old drivers fill up a small SSD in notime.