Vista USB device drivers not found... a fix!

This was the first problem I experienced with Vista. I had a Sandisk U3 2GB Titanium drive which for some reason wouldn't detect under Vista. Vista would search for drivers, say they couldn't be found and ask me to insert a CD with the driver... and as you may know, only Win95 needs USB drivers.

The fix requires you edit registry settings. I take no responsibility if this actually ruins your system... that said, if you can't use USB devices, your Vista system is in a bad state either way because everything these days tends to need USB.

As will always be the case, I have tested this solution. It works and I would rate is as an easy fix to apply.

Tested: Windows Vista Home Premium.
Original Source: Microsoft TechNet Post
Thanks to: NareshV

VISTA USB DEVICE DRIVER FIX.

1. Click the Start icon (Start Menu).
   


2. Either type "regedit" (without the quotes); or
   
   Click Run and type "regedit", then Click OK.
   
   

NOTE: Vista User Account Control may ask for permission to continue. If so, click Continue.

This will load Registry Editor.


3. In Registry Editor, navigate to:
   
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\
   Software\
   Microsoft\
   Windows\
   CurrentVersion
   
   
   TIP: You will know you are in the right place because the Status Bar gives your location.
   
   
4. In the right hand Registry Editor pane (click on picture above for close up), double-click DevicePath.
   
   
5. In the Edit String window. Add a semicolon ";" to the end of the existing details. Then add this path
   
   %SystemRoot%\System32
   
   The full details in the edit window should now look like this:
   
   %SystemRoot%\inf;%SystemRoot%\System32
   
   
   IMPORTANT NOTE: If there is ANYTHING else there, DO NOT REMOVE IT! Just add %SystemRoot%\System32 only. If you did delete something by accident, just click Cancel and repeat from Step 4 again.
   


6. Click OK to save the changes.
   


7. Exit Registry Editor.

Once you have done this, you may need to uninstall all USB devices that haven't installed properly so that Windows can rediscover them. This is done from Windows Device Manager found in Control Panel. This is the cleanest way to make sure everything then attempts to reinstall again and the drivers get discovered.

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