Preload Drivers Windows 7

single PC or network?

You can slipstream drivers to a OS install disc for a single PC

Read: techpowerup.com

Link:
http://www.techpowerup.com/forums/threads/slipstream-drivers-into-windows-7.120729/

If a network PC

Read: "Preloading Driver Packages"

Link:
https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/hardware/ff549748%28v=vs.85%29.aspx?f=255&MSPPError=-2147217396

It is only for a single PC, Windows 7 is already installed. I do not want to install fresh Windows 7 OS , create an image or modify a *. WIM.
Just want to add Drivers to a already Windows 7 OS installed on a PC.
Is there a directory that i can copy the drivers into, so that when the hardware is installed, Windows OS can find the drivers to install.

Thanks.

I'm not completely sure of the objective conditions here.  But I'll take a stab at it:

I would use something like Driver Magician to back up all the drivers on a known system.
Then you can put them in a folder or restore them or .....

Also see: https://www.experts-exchange.com/questions/27532542/Backup-Drivers.html

"I need to preload drivers in Windows 7, while the hardware is not installed...So that, once the hardware is installed windows could find the drivers."

Connect to the internet and go to the hardware manufactures website and download and install the drivers.

Note that almost all newly installed hardware will be seen by win. 7 and genetic drivers will be installed automatically.
You can then update the drivers from the hardware manufactures website.
Also some hardware come with a driver install disc.

RE: "is there a directory?"  
I believe that any directory will do as you can point to it.
And, if you use Driver Magician or similar program, it will "restore" the drivers it's backed up.

DriverFinder Version 2 may be of help.

See: microsoft.com

Link:
http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/compatibility/CompatCenter/ProductDetailsViewer?Type=Software&Name=DriverFinder&Vendor=DeskToolsSoft&ModelOrVersion=2&Locale=1033%2C2057%2C3081%2C4105%2C16393&BreadcrumbPath=driverfinder&tempOsid=Windows%207

"the hardware is not installed (the devices are absent)"

What devices?

Please list the devices with the manufacturers model numbers for further advice, if we have not already solved your question.

Regards,

Michael

here is what i do in such a case :
if you have  unknown devices in device manager, you can use this procedure to identify them :

1- visit the motherboard manufacturers support site, for downloading drivers
2- use windows update >optional updates to find them

3- Start>Programs>Accessories>System Tools>System Information.
Now select  "Components" and highlight "Problem Devices".
All hardware devices with a driver problem will be listed here.
Make a note of the first line of the PNP Device ID line of the entry. It will show a Vendor number and a Device number (VENxxxxDEVxxxx) both four digits long.
Look up those numbers here:   http://www.pcidatabase.com/index.php

This will tell you the manufacturer and the chip number.  
Check the manufacturer's website first or google them - or post them here

4- If your LAN is running, you can also use windows update> optional drivers, or  use a driver update software

It remains unclear whether you know what the devices and drivers are or have the drivers installed on some computer or NOT.  
Thus, you are getting disparate answers which may not be to the point.
Some clarification would be very helpful.

also - be careful when using tools like driverfiner or magician -they try to install lots of unwanted software  with it

Thanks everyone for your comment.
The solutions are provided here, mostly, apply when the drivers are unknown. But in this case, I have the working drivers but i do not have the hardware installed yet, so what i am asking is, how  can i inject the already working drivers, load (feed) them to OS, when the hardware is installed windows use these drivers.
The drivers all have cat files....they have already tested. where can I copy the drivers.
Thanks

I'm not sure what you're asking regarding "where can I put the driver files?"
In each case you should be able to direct the installation process to the folder of your choice.
pnputil requires a path and filename.

Use Add Hardware Wizard to Install your Drivers.
Read:
microsoft.com

Link:
https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/hardware/ff553639%28v=vs.85%29.aspx

netrock - where did you get the drivers?   post link plse

Thank you all,
The solution offered by " nobus" using pnputil, is what i was looking for.

Keep up the Excellent Job!

thanks for posting your solution!