Manually Reinstalling a Network Adapter Driver on a Windows Client

Overview

This lab simulates a network driver failure on a Windows 10 client and walks through the steps to recover the missing driver by downloading it on the server, sharing it over the network, and reinstalling it manually on the client.

Skills Demonstrated
Identifying and troubleshooting network adapter issues using Device Manager
Verifying loss of connectivity via ping to external IPs
Searching for and downloading correct drivers from the Microsoft Update Catalog
Creating and managing shared folders with proper permissions
Extracting .cab driver packages using the Command Prompt
Manually reinstalling a driver using the Update Driver > Browse method
Verifying successful driver installation through network functionality tests
Tools Used
Windows Server (Active Directory Domain Services)
Windows 10
Device Manager
Microsoft Update Catalog
Command Prompt
Shared Network Folder

1. Environment Setup

  • Installed a Windows Server VM
  • Created a local Administrator account
  • Installed Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS)
  • Promoted the server to a Domain Controller with the domain name: lab.local
  • Created a user:
    • Name: John Doe
    • Logon Name: j.doe

2. Simulate Network Driver Failure

  • On the Windows 10 Client, opened Device Manager

  • Navigated to Network Adapters

  • Identified two adapters:

    • Adapter 1: NAT (Internet access)
    • Adapter 2: Host-only (internal/domain traffic)
  • Uninstalled Adapter 1 and confirmed loss of internet access by pinging 8.8.8.8

3. Acquire Driver from Server

  • On the Windows Server, navigated to:
    Microsoft Update Catalog
  • Searched and downloaded the Intel PRO/1000 MT Desktop Adapter .cab driver package
  • Created a shared folder on the Domain Controller
  • Added the .cab file and configured read/write permissions

4. Transfer and Install Driver on Client

  • On the Windows 10 Client, mapped the shared drive:
    \lab.local\Shared\
  • Copied the .cab file to C:\Users\j.doe\Downloads, renamed it to IntelNicDriver
  • Created the folder: C:\Drivers\NIC
  • Opened Command Prompt and extracted the driver contents:
expand C:\Users\j.doe\Downloads\IntelNicDriver.cab -F:* C:\Drivers\NIC

5. Reinstall Driver via Device Manager

  • Opened Device Manager > Network Adapters
  • Selected the device with the missing driver and clicked Update Driver
  • Chose "Browse my computer for drivers" and selected C:\Drivers\NIC
  • Driver was successfully installed
  • Verified functionality by pinging 8.8.8.8 — success!