I got this Windows 7 PC That Was Already Used but the internet drivers are missing

Mohamed Wadud 0 Reputation points
2026-05-11T14:42:19.9766667+00:00

I got this Windows 7 PC That Was Already Used but the wireless internet drivers are missing how can I install them on my Windows 11 PC With Internet to bring them to my Windows 7 PC

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Devices and drivers
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  1. Sin-D 11,190 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator
    2026-05-12T00:36:40.8266667+00:00

    Hi Mohamed Wadud,

    I understand you have a Windows 7 PC without wireless drivers, and you want to use your Windows 11 PC to download and transfer them.

    Since Windows 7 is End of Service (EOS), it no longer receives driver updates or security fixes from Microsoft. You can still try the workaround below, but compatibility may be limited.

    Have you already tried the Q&A Assist suggestions? In addition, before going further, I’d like to clarify a couple of key details:

    • Do you know the exact model of the PC or laptop (for example: Dell Inspiron 3558, HP Pavilion, etc.)?
    • In Device Manager on the Windows 7 PC, does the Wi‑Fi adapter appear as an “Unknown device” or is it missing completely?

    Looking forward to your updates.

    Note: Please follow the steps in our documentation to enable e-mail notifications if you want to receive the related email notification for this thread.

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  2. AI answer

    2026-05-11T14:42:33.33+00:00

    Use the Windows 11 PC to download the correct wireless (Wi‑Fi) driver from the device or adapter manufacturer, copy it to USB, then install it on the Windows 7 PC.

    1. On the Windows 11 PC (with internet):
      1. Identify the wireless adapter used by the Windows 7 PC (from its documentation, labels, or by checking Device Manager on that PC if possible).
      2. Go to the PC or adapter manufacturer’s website and download the Windows 7 driver for that exact wireless adapter.
      3. If the download is a ZIP file, unzip it so the .inf file is visible. If it is an EXE installer, keep the EXE.
      4. Copy the unzipped driver folder (with the .inf file) or the EXE installer to a USB flash drive.
    2. On the Windows 7 PC (no internet):
      1. Plug in the USB flash drive.
      2. If the driver is an EXE, run it from the USB and follow the setup wizard to install the driver.
      3. If the driver is a set of files including an .inf file:
        • Open Device Manager.
        • Find the wireless adapter (likely under Network adapters or as an unknown device with a warning icon).
        • Right‑click it and select Update Driver Software.
        • Choose Browse my computer for driver software.
        • Browse to the folder on the USB that contains the .inf file and complete the wizard.
    3. If Windows 7 still does not detect the adapter:
      1. Use Windows Update on the Windows 7 PC (after you have some temporary wired connection, if possible) to search for driver updates:
        • Click Start, type Update, then click Windows Update.
        • Click Check for updates and install any driver updates listed for network hardware.
      2. If the wireless adapter is still not listed in Device Manager at all, the manufacturer’s driver from step 1 must be installed; if that fails, the adapter may be unsupported or faulty.

    For Wi‑Fi issues where the adapter is missing or disabled, also verify in Device Manager that the adapter is enabled and that the installed driver version matches the latest one from the manufacturer.

    References:

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