OEM42.inf: What It Is & How to Uninstall

Updated 14 November 2026 · Standard formula, shown below

OEM42.inf is a Windows driver information file that Windows assigns automatically when you install a new hardware driver. It is not a program you run, but a text-based setup file that tells Windows how to install and configure a specific driver. If you are seeing OEM42.inf in your DriverStore or system folders, you likely want to know whether it is safe, what it does, and how to remove it if needed. This article explains what OEM42.inf is, why it exists, and the safe ways to uninstall it.

What Is an .inf File?

An .inf file (short for “information file”) is a plain-text file used by Windows to install drivers and other software components. It contains instructions such as the device name, the driver files to copy, registry entries to create, and the installation steps. Windows includes a built-in tool called SetupAPI that reads these files and performs the installation.

When you plug in a new device (like a USB mouse, printer, or graphics card), Windows looks for a matching .inf file. If the driver is installed manually or through Windows Update, the .inf file is copied to the system’s DriverStore (located at C:\Windows\System32\DriverStore\FileRepository). The file is often renamed with an “OEM” prefix and a number (like OEM42.inf) to avoid conflicts with other driver files that may have the same original name.

Why Is It Called OEM42.inf?

The “OEM” prefix stands for “Original Equipment Manufacturer.” When a driver is installed, Windows renames the .inf file to OEMxx.inf, where “xx” is a sequential number. The number is assigned by Windows based on the order of installation—so OEM42.inf is simply the 42nd OEM driver file that Windows created on your system. It is not a specific driver; it could belong to any hardware component, such as a chipset, audio, network, or USB device.

You can find out which device OEM42.inf belongs to by opening the file in a text editor (like Notepad) and looking for the [Manufacturer] and [Models] sections. The manufacturer name and hardware IDs are listed there. Alternatively, you can use Device Manager to view the driver details for each device and check its “Driver Details” tab.

Is OEM42.inf Safe or a Virus?

In almost all cases, OEM42.inf is a legitimate Windows system file. It is not a virus or malware by itself. However, malware can sometimes disguise itself with an .inf extension or use a similar name. To check if the file is safe, right-click it and select Properties. Look at the Digital Signatures tab—a valid driver file will have a signature from Microsoft or the hardware manufacturer. If the file is unsigned or the signature is invalid, treat it with caution and run a full antivirus scan.

It is also important to note that deleting or modifying .inf files manually can cause hardware malfunctions. Windows relies on these files to reinstall drivers automatically when you reconnect a device or after a system update. Therefore, you should only remove OEM42.inf if you are sure it is no longer needed and you have a backup or can reinstall the driver.

How to Uninstall OEM42.inf Safely

There are two main ways to remove a driver associated with OEM42.inf: through Device Manager or by using the pnputil command-line tool. Both methods are safe if you follow the steps carefully.

Method 1: Uninstall via Device Manager

Press Windows + X and select Device Manager.
Expand the category that contains the device you suspect uses OEM42.inf (you can find this by checking the .inf file’s contents).
Right-click the device and select Uninstall device.
In the confirmation dialog, check the box “Delete the driver software for this device” (if available) and click Uninstall.
Restart your computer if prompted.

Method 2: Use pnputil (Command Line)

Open Command Prompt as administrator (search for “cmd”, right-click, and select “Run as administrator”).
Type pnputil /enum-drivers and press Enter. This lists all OEM drivers with their published names and the associated .inf file.
Find the entry that shows oem42.inf in the “Published Name” column. Note the “Driver Package” name (e.g., oem42.inf).
Type pnputil /delete-driver oem42.inf /uninstall and press Enter. The /uninstall flag removes the driver package from the system and uninstalls the driver from any devices currently using it.
Confirm the prompt and restart your PC.

If you are not sure which device uses OEM42.inf, you can search online for the hardware ID found in the file, or you can use the DriverStore Explorer tool (a free utility) to view and delete driver packages with a graphical interface.

Common Problems and Misconceptions

One common misconception is that OEM42.inf is a standalone program that you can “uninstall” from the Control Panel. That is not true—it is a driver file, so it appears only in the DriverStore, not in “Programs and Features.” Trying to delete it manually from the File Explorer can cause system instability.

Another issue is that you might see multiple OEMxx.inf files (OEM1.inf, OEM2.inf, etc.). This is normal; Windows creates a new one for each driver installation. You do not need to remove all of them—only the one that corresponds to a driver you no longer need.

If you delete a driver that is still in use, Windows will reinstall it automatically the next time the device is connected or after a reboot. If the device stops working, you can reinstall the driver from the manufacturer’s website or by using Windows Update.

When Should You Uninstall OEM42.inf?

You should only uninstall OEM42.inf if you are certain that the associated driver is outdated, conflicting with another device, or you have replaced the hardware. For example, if you upgraded your graphics card and the old driver is still present, you might remove the old driver package to free space and avoid conflicts. However, for most users, there is no need to manually delete these files—Windows manages them automatically and cleans up unused drivers over time.

If you are running low on disk space, you can use the built-in Disk Cleanup tool to remove old driver packages. Open Disk Cleanup, select the drive with Windows, click “Clean up system files,” and check the “Device driver packages” option. This removes outdated driver versions safely.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I just delete OEM42.inf from the File Explorer?

No. Manually deleting the file from the DriverStore can break the driver installation and cause hardware issues. Always use Device Manager or pnputil to uninstall the driver properly.

How do I find out which device uses OEM42.inf?

Open the file with Notepad and look for the [Manufacturer] section. The hardware ID (like PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_1234) will help you identify the device. You can also use Device Manager to check each device’s driver details and see the “Driver File” list.

Is OEM42.inf a virus?

It is usually not a virus, but malware can sometimes masquerade as an .inf file. Check the digital signature and scan the file with your antivirus software to be sure.

What happens if I uninstall the wrong driver?

If you uninstall a driver that is still in use, the device may stop working until the driver is reinstalled. You can reinstall it from the manufacturer’s website or by using Device Manager’s “Scan for hardware changes” option.

Does Windows automatically delete old OEM.inf files?

Windows does not always remove them automatically, but the Disk Cleanup tool can delete outdated driver packages. You can also use pnputil to remove specific ones manually.

Can I rename OEM42.inf to something else?

Renaming the file will break the driver installation, and Windows will not recognize it. Do not rename or move .inf files in the DriverStore.

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