Workaround for USB devices not getting detected in Vista after Windows update
Recently there was an update released by Microsoft that caused a disaster for USB devices. Microsoft is yet to release a fix for it and we hope there will be one soon. The main cause seems to be KB938371, a prerequisite hotfix that gets installed from windows update. Also there’s some people saying this similar incident is also caused by a recent windows defender update.(not officially proved)
The main problem the users face is that their USB devices such as flash drives,cameras,scanners,mice,keyboards …etc.. doesn’t get recognized after the update and that specific hotfix cannot be uninstalled from windows.
Alright so if you are having similar issues use the following workaround until Microsoft can get this sorted out.(keep in mind that it may work for some and not for some…that’s windows.. hehe)
Make sure all your USB devices are unplugged first.
Make sure to take a backup copy of the original file before deleting or modifying it.
1. Go to the following location “%WinDir%/inf” [eg: C:\windows\inf by default]. Locate the file called “INFCACHE.1” and delete it.
2. Download the following files given here
3. There should be 3 files included, usbstor.inf,usbstor.PNF and USBSTOR.SYS.
4. Search your windows folder for those following files and replace them (fore some this is not needed but to be on the safe side do this)
5. Restart your PC
6. Now plug in one of your USB devices that didn’t get detected earlier. Go to device manager there will be an unknown USB device or something similar with a question mark.
7. Right-click select properties and in the driver tab select Update driver and for the driver location give %WinDir%/winsxs (you might be prompted several times always give the same location when prompted). You might get a warning saying about an unsigned driver or similar, just install anyway.
8. After that you will get the driver installed successfully notice. Restart your PC.
Hopefully that’s all you will need to do…
keep all backed up files safely incase you require them later (its windows …you never know)
Mirror for the usb files (see step 2)
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thanks BlackNoise
for posting this. this is really useful for ppl who has installed this stupid update accidentally.
BTW this will also help for those who are getting error messages for other USB devices and for people getting the following error message
“Windows found the driver for your device but encountered an error installing it, file not found”
:whistle: :whistle:
on May 5, 2008
It solved all the problems with all the USB devices.
on May 9, 2008
This issue is still affecting my Vista install. The keyboard and touchpad on my HP nc8430 are completely dead. I don’t have the time or energy to do a reinstall.
on May 18, 2008
Hi Craig
so guess maybe u missed a step (only guessing). good luck
well this is pretty easy you can manually install the USB drivers downloaded frm the manufacturer and do a manual driver update in you hardware device manager. Have a go at it and let me know. this method works fine. we never post anything without testing it
on May 19, 2008
Thanks for the response Wizard.
The thing I’m puzzled about is this solution refers to replacing the usbstor files which are used for usb storage devices. My issues is related is my usb keyboard and touchpad.
I really hope Microsoft hurry up with a fix.
on May 19, 2008
I wonder if this is related….
I just purchased a Samsung 500 GB HD, plugged it into my USB – SATA “IcyBox” enclosure, and plugged in the USB cable to my Vista laptop. Vista responds that it cannot find a driver for this baby. All my other older USB storage devices work fine.
I also cannot delete the file specified above.
on May 27, 2008
Ooooh yeah. I remember this update, it was crappy.
My mouse didn’t get detected and i was bound to use Speech Recognition to control my computer. In fact, I think it messed around with the firmware, i had trouble with the mouse in XP too after that install (quad boot computer).
I yelled at the guys on Microsoft for it…
on July 7, 2008
Sounds like my last chance to install my wheel
on July 17, 2008
Didn’t work for me. Maybe I’m doing something wrong.
When I plug in my USB-key, Vista installs a device driver succesfully, and there is no question mark in devicemanager. When I try to update the driver from devicemanager (pointing to winsxs), Vista will just tell me that I already have the best driver.
I wasn’t able to copy the files to winsxs because of permission-problems. I couldn’t use the usual method of making my group the owner of the folder.
I would be very happy, if you could help me further, because I can’t see any of my USB-storages in Vista (except in devicemanager).
Thank you,
Jesper
on August 4, 2008
@Jesper
I think your problem is because you couldn’t copy the files into winsxs. If you are having problems taking ownership use the below reg file which will give you an option of taking ownership in your right click context menu. try to copy those files and follow the given steps.
http://dotnetwizard.net/dsplus/download.php?p=Add_Take_Ownership.rar
also usually this post mainly applies to USB devices that do not get detected because of drivers not getting installed properly. So please check if your usb-key does work by plugging it into a different pc.
If you still have problems do post a comment and the Wizard will help you.(he is a bit busy until the 6th
)
on August 4, 2008
Thank you, Blacnoise – what a neat little gem you had in that regfile!
Unfortunately I couldn’t solve my problem even by following all your steps.
Maybe you are right, it can be a different problem, here what it’s like: All kinds of USB-storag – keys, cardreader, extern harddisk and camera won’t show up in Vista. That is: I can see them in device manager (where everythings looks OK) and in the command prompt, but not in windows explorer, and not in the applications.
My USB-keyboard, mouse and printer works OK. Also the devices work on other Vista-machines and worked previously on mine.
I can see, that a lot of people are posting about the same problem – some have been helped by some kind of moving around with the usbstor-files.
Of course, I’ll be very grateful if somebody can help. I’ve used a lot of hours on this and is close to desperation!
on August 5, 2008
so far it seems you have a different problem
I think the wizard should be able to help you with this issue. but in the mean time you can try the below solutions.(2nd link i do not think you will need but i put it just for reference)
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/941600
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=51F0EF25-280B-4613-A600-C61224BACD1C&displaylang=en
also you could try plugging in the usb, right-click my computer icon, select “manage” and under that go to Storage>Diskmanagement. If your usb drive is listed simply right click it select “Change drive letter and paths” and assign another drive letter.
as alternate solutions(you will probably not like these
) you can always try a system restore. or backup your current data and do a clean install. So far thats the help I can give but i shall see if there a solution and let you know if there is. 
on August 7, 2008
I’m having the same trouble on vista since a week though my pen drive or infrared dongle is being detected, my printers arent.. i’ve got a lexmark x3650 and an epson stylus 785.. It says windows cannot recognise usb device.. but i tried to connect the printers to an old pc on which i’ve xp… and it did work smoothly.. but its a pain to go through that old pc since it’ damn low on memory. Any suggestions?
on November 20, 2008
Amazing tips, thank you
It solved all the problems with all the USB devices
on November 29, 2008
I try it and it works nearly 100%. Most of the usb device can be detected excpet for my celcom usb modem . I wonder why?
on June 20, 2009
This unfortunately did not work for me. However, by going into control panel -> Programs and Features -> View Installed features. And removing the latest Service pack. I am no longer having problems. I also hid the SP2 update the next time it came up to prevent the problem from happening again.
on August 23, 2009