Installing ADB and Fastboot Drivers on Windows PC

Installing ADB and Fastboot Drivers on Windows PC. While exploring custom recoveries, unlocking the bootloader, or rooting your device by flashing .img files, you may have come across two terms – Android ADB & Fastboot. ADB stands for Android Debug Bridge, which allows for a connection to be established between your PC and phone. This can be achieved by turning on USB debugging mode in your phone settings under the developer options menu. On the other hand, Fastboot mode can be enabled by booting up your phone in Fastboot and connecting it to your PC using the USB data cable.

Fastboot mode is useful for flashing .img files and performing other similar tasks. However, installing Android ADB and Fastboot drivers on your Windows PC, you previously had to install Android SDK tools and utilize the Platform tools. We previously shared a comprehensive guide on this process, but it was time-consuming and difficult to comprehend. While searching for a simpler, lightweight alternative, I came across the Minimal Android ADB and Fastboot driver tool on the XDA forum. Credit goes to shimp208 for creating such a great tool.

This tool is compact, taking up only 2 MB of space. With its help, I was able to install the drivers on the VMware which I use for Windows 7. Below, I have elaborated on how to install and utilize this tool thoroughly.

It’s important to note that this tool is simply a time-saving alternative and is best for those who only need the Fastboot and ADB for flashing purposes. If your goal is installing ADB and Fastboot drivers for actual Android development, it is strongly suggested to use the drivers provided by the Android SDK tools. You can find a comprehensive guide on their installation here.

Minimalist Installing ADB and Fastboot Drivers

Quick Installing ADB and Fastboot Drivers:

Get hold of the Minimal ADB & Fastboot Drivers tool by downloading it. Latest V1.4
Execute the downloaded minimaltool.exe file and proceed with the tool installation.
While installing, ensure to select the option “Create a desktop icon” or “Create a desktop shortcut“.
There are three ways to launch the tool: You can access it through the Start menu, use the icon created on the desktop, or navigate to Program Files > Minimal ADB & Fastboot > Right-click on an unoccupied space while holding the Shift key and select “Open Command Window Here”.
Feel free to use the Command prompt to perform any necessary tasks.
If you wish to install a .img file, you must first move it to the Minimal Tool folder located within Program Files x86.
To enter Fastboot mode, you must initiate it on your device and establish a connection. For instance, on HTC devices, you can access Fastboot mode by selecting it through HBoot and then connecting your device. On Sony devices, you can turn off your device and while holding down the back or volume up key, plug in the USB cable.
Congratulations! You have now installed Android ADB & Fastboot drivers. I hope the process did not take longer than two minutes.