How to Completely Remove Driver Booster from Windows 10/11 (All Leftovers)

Driver Booster, while popular for automating driver updates, often becomes software users later seek to thoroughly remove. Its aggressive update tactics, bundled software tendencies, and system instability reports prompt many to uninstall it. However, a standard uninstall frequently leaves remnants causing conflicts or performance issues. As a systems engineer who’s cleaned countless machines, here’s how to fully eradicate it, including the critical drawbacks of each method:

Method 1: Standard Uninstall via Settings/Control Panel (The Starting Point, But Insufficient)

1. Windows 10/11: Press Win + I > Apps > Apps & features.
2. Windows 10 (Alt): Control Panel > Programs > Programs and Features.
3. Locate “Driver Booster” (or “IObit Driver Booster”).
4. Click Uninstall and follow the built-in wizard.
5. Crucially: If offered choices during uninstall, decline any “Keep Backup/Restore Points” or “Keep Drivers” options. Choose the most complete removal path.
6. Restart your computer.

• Drawbacks:
  • Leftover Files & Folders: Almost always leaves directories like C:\Program Files (x86)\IObit\Driver Booster, C:\ProgramData\IObit\Driver Booster, and user profile data (AppData\Local\IObit, AppData\Roaming\IObit\Driver Booster).
  • Registry Entries: Numerous registry keys under HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\IObit, HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\WOW6432Node\IObit, and HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall persist, potentially causing conflicts with future driver installations or other software.
  • Scheduled Tasks & Services: Background tasks (e.g., Scheduler_for_IObit_Driver_Booster) or services might remain active or disabled, cluttering Task Scheduler and Services Manager.
  • Driver Backups: Large driver backup folders (C:\Program Files (x86)\IObit\Driver Booster\DriverBackup or similar) are often not deleted, wasting significant disk space (gigabytes aren’t uncommon).
  • Incomplete Driver Rollback: Its own driver restore points might linger, interfering with a truly clean system state.

Method 2: Using Dedicated Uninstaller Software (Recommended for Most Users)

1. Download a reputable third-party uninstaller (Revo Uninstaller Free/Pro, Geek Uninstaller, IObit Uninstaller – ironically effective for removing its sibling).
2. Run the uninstaller tool. Locate “Driver Booster” in its list.
3. Initiate the uninstall process through the tool. The tool will run Driver Booster’s own uninstaller first.
4. Critical Step: After the standard uninstall completes, the tool will scan for leftovers.
5. Carefully review the scan results: The tool will display leftover files, folders, and registry entries.
6. Select ALL found leftovers (or use the tool’s “Select All” function). Important: Verify the paths are indeed related to Driver Booster/IObit.
7. Delete the selected leftovers. The tool may ask to back up registry entries first – recommended for safety.
8. Restart your computer.

• Drawbacks:
  • Overzealous Deletion Risk: Less experienced users might accidentally select critical non-IObit items listed if not careful during review. Always double-check paths!
  • Registry Backup Bloat: Creating numerous registry backups can consume space over time (manage these occasionally).
  • Potential Tool Conflicts: Rarely, aggressive uninstallers can interfere with other running processes. Close other apps during the process.
  • False Sense of Security: While much better than standard uninstall, extremely persistent services or deeply embedded kernel drivers might still evade some tools.

Method 3: Manual Removal (Advanced Users Only – High Risk)

Use only if Methods 1 & 2 fail or you need absolute certainty. Proceed with extreme caution.

1. Kill Processes: Open Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc), end any DriverBooster.exe, DB*.exe, or IObit processes.
2. Delete Files & Folders: Manually navigate and delete:
   • C:\Program Files (x86)\IObit\Driver Booster
   • C:\ProgramData\IObit\Driver Booster
   • C:\Users\<YourUsername>\AppData\Local\IObit
   • C:\Users\<YourUsername>\AppData\Roaming\IObit\Driver Booster
   • Check C:\Windows\System32\drivers for any suspiciously named IObit drivers (research EXACTLY before deleting!).
3. Clean Registry (Regedit – HIGH RISK):
   • Press Win + R, type regedit, press Enter. Backup your registry first! (File > Export)
   • Navigate to and delete these keys (if they exist):
     • HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\IObit
     • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\WOW6432Node\IObit (primary location)
     • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall (Look for keys with “Driver Booster” or IObit GUIDs)
     • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Schedule\TaskCache\Tree\IObit (or tasks named Driver Booster)
   • Caution: Deleting the wrong registry key can cripple Windows. Triple-check paths.
4. Remove Scheduled Tasks:
   • Open Task Scheduler (taskschd.msc).
   • Navigate to Task Scheduler Library. Delete any tasks clearly named for Driver Booster or IObit (e.g., Scheduler_for_IObit_Driver_Booster).
5. Check Services:
   • Open Services (services.msc).
   • Look for any services named “IObit” or “Driver Booster”. If found, note the service name, stop it, set its Startup Type to Disabled. Do NOT delete service registry keys unless you are an expert.
6. Delete Driver Backups: Search drives for large folders named DriverBackup, DriverBackup_DB, or DriverBackup_IObit (often within Program Files, ProgramData, or root of C:). Delete them.
7. Restart Thoroughly: Reboot multiple times.

• Drawbacks:
  • High Risk of System Damage: Accidental deletion of critical system files or registry keys can render Windows unbootable or unstable. Not recommended for non-experts.
  • Extremely Time-Consuming: Finding all remnants manually is like finding needles in a haystack.
  • Incomplete Removal Likely: It’s easy to miss hidden files, obscure registry values, or locked files.
  • Potential for Boot Issues: Mishandling services or kernel drivers can cause serious startup failures.

Method 4: Using the IObit Uninstaller Tool (Vendor Specific – Use with Caution)

1. Download the official “IObit Uninstaller” from the IObit website.
2. Install and run it.
3. Find “Driver Booster” in the list.
4. Use its “Powerful Scan” or “Forced Uninstall” option.
5. Follow prompts to remove leftovers.

• Drawbacks:
  • Potential Bias: A vendor’s tool might intentionally leave behind telemetry or components for other IObit products.
  • Bundling Risk: The installer for IObit Uninstaller itself may try to bundle other IObit software or change browser settings (be very vigilant during installation!).
  • Effectiveness: While usually good at removing the main product files, it may be less aggressive on deep registry traces than dedicated third-party tools like Revo Pro.

Professional Conclusion & Recommendation

Having dealt with the fallout of poorly uninstalled driver utilities like Driver Booster on numerous client systems, my professional stance is clear: Avoid automated driver updaters unless managing a vast, heterogeneous fleet of corporate machines where the risk justifies the tool. For typical home users and small offices, Windows Update (supplemented occasionally by visiting the OEM website for critical components like chipset/GPU drivers) is safer and avoids the bloat, conflicts, and privacy concerns inherent in tools like Driver Booster.

Regarding Removal: The standard uninstall is fundamentally inadequate. My strong recommendation is Method 2 (Dedicated Uninstaller Software). Tools like Revo Uninstaller Pro (or even its capable free version) significantly increase the likelihood of a clean removal while providing a safety net via registry backup and selective deletion. While not infallible, they strike the best balance between thoroughness and safety for most users. Method 3 (Manual) is a last resort fraught with peril – only attempt it if you have deep system knowledge and robust backups. Method 4 (IObit Tool) can work but carries its own vendor-related caveats.

Ultimately, the cleanest Driver Booster removal often involves a combination: Start with its own uninstaller (declining all extras), then ruthlessly hunt down remnants with a dedicated uninstaller tool. Reboots between steps are crucial. The persistence of its leftovers is a testament to why many experts, myself included, advise caution before installing such utilities in the first place. The potential hassle of removal often outweighs the perceived convenience.