If you're using Windows 7 or 8.1, you need to install a driver before plugging in your board.

If you're using Windows 7 or 8.1, you'll need to install a driver to use a CircuitPython-compatible board. You do not need to install drivers on Mac, Linux or Windows 10.

First, uninstall any older versions of the driver with the following steps:

Unplug any boards.
Navigate to Uninstall or Change a Program by opening Control Panel->Programs->Uninstall a program.
Uninstall everything named "Windows Driver Package - Adafruit Industries LLC ...".

Next, download the new 2.5.0.0 (or higher) Adafruit Windows Drivers Package using the following link:

Download Adafruit Windows 7/8.1 Driver Installer

When running the installer, you'll be shown a list of drivers to choose from. You can check and uncheck the boxes to choose which drivers to install.

The Windows Drivers installer was last updated in November 2020 (v2.5.0.0) . Windows 7/8.1 drivers for CircuitPython boards released since then, including RP2040 boards, are not available. The boards work fine on Windows 10 without extra drivers.

It is recommended that you upgrade to Windows 10. Windows 10 makes the drivers unnecessary and solves other problems.There are currently no plans to update the available drivers, given that Windows 7 is end-of-life. As of this writing, you can still upgrade for free from Windows 7 or 8.1 to Windows 10. See these links.

This guide was first published on Dec 19, 2017. It was last updated on May 19, 2022.

This page (Windows 7 and 8.1 Drivers) was last updated on Oct 20, 2021.

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