Describes an update that installs version 1.9 of the WinUSB driver file and library file on a computer that is running Windows XP, Windows Vista, or Windows Server 2008.

Learn how to format a flash drive to NTFS on a Windows PC.

Start your device from the USB drive that was created with Recovery Drive. The process to boot from a USB drive may vary by manufacturer, so refer to your device's manual if needed. Create a recovery drive to reinstall Windows in case you experience a major issue such as hardware failure.

Installation media, such as a USB flash drive, can be used to install a new copy of Windows, perform a clean installation of Windows, or reinstall Windows. To create installation media, go to the software download website, where step-by-step instructions can be found.

Personal data and files can be backed up to an external hard drive, USB flash drive, or a cloud location, such as OneDrive. Windows must be activated after it's reinstalled. Usually, activation happens automatically after going online. For more information, see Activate after reinstalling Windows.

Download the drivers for the desired device from the device manufacturer's site. Make sure to download the correct drivers that match the version and architecture of Windows. Once downloaded, if necessary, uncompress the downloaded drivers. Make a note of where the drivers are located on the Windows device.

When critical Windows system files are missing or corrupted, your operating system may begin to malfunction. Common symptoms include Windows features not working properly, system errors, or Windows becoming unresponsive or freezing.

Each Surface device is eligible to receive new driver and firmware updates until its end-of-servicing date listed in Surface devices driver and firmware lifecycle for Windows-based devices. You can quickly check the health of your Surface drivers and firmware using the Surface app. Open the Surface app.

If Windows won't start or isn't responding, you can use a USB recovery drive to access recovery tools and solve problems. Your Surface comes with Windows recovery info that allows you to refresh it or reset it to its factory condition. If your Surface does turn on, see Reset or recover your Surface for some other options.

This update includes a fix for an incorrect device driver (“Microsoft – WPD – 2/22/2016 12:00:00 AM - 5.2.5326.4762”) that was released by a third-party on March 8, 2017 that affected a small group of users with USB connected phones or other media devices that rely on Media Transfer Protocol (MTP).