Over time, multiple driver updates can leave stale oem*.inf files. It is possible to have two different drivers both using oem69.inf on separate machines, but on a single system, each number is unique. However, uninstalling a driver does automatically delete its .inf file, leading to clutter.
The file oem69.inf is a assigned by Windows to a third-party driver during installation. Because these names are generated sequentially (oem1.inf, oem2.inf, etc.), the specific hardware it controls depends entirely on your unique system configuration. Common Identifications
In a clean installation of Windows, you will not find oem69.inf . Instead, you will see system files like setupapi.inf or input.inf . However, once you start installing third-party drivers (e.g., for a Logitech webcam, NVIDIA GPU, or a generic Bluetooth dongle), Windows renames and stores those drivers in the C:\Windows\INF folder using the format.
When you plug in a new printer, GPU, or USB device, Windows looks for an associated .inf file to understand how to communicate with that hardware.
Article last updated: May 2026. Information applies to Windows 10, Windows 11, and Windows Server 2019/2022.
unless you have identified it as the cause of a specific error. Removing a critical driver (like your disk controller or keyboard) can make your system unbootable. Always create a System Restore point before manually deleting drivers. Microsoft Learn
| Section | Purpose | |---------|---------| | [Version] | Shows provider name, driver date, and version. | | [Manufacturer] | Identifies the hardware vendor. | | [SourceDisksNames] | Original source media. | | [Strings] | Readable hardware IDs and device descriptions. | | [DestinationDirs] | Where files will be copied. |
