How to Update Drivers on Windows

Edited 2 weeks ago by ExtremeHow Editorial Team

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Keeping your computer's drivers updated is important for maintaining its performance and stability. Drivers are parts of the software that allow your operating system to communicate with your hardware components. Without the correct drivers, your hardware cannot function properly. In this detailed guide, we will walk you through the steps needed to update drivers on Windows.

Why update drivers?

Before we go into detail about how to update drivers, it's important to understand why you should keep them updated:

• Improved performance: Updated drivers can improve the performance of your hardware. For example, updated graphics drivers can improve game performance and display resolution.
• Bug fixes: Manufacturers release driver updates to fix known bugs and issues. These updates can resolve crashes, glitches, and other problems.
• Security: Updated drivers may include security patches that protect your system from vulnerabilities.
• Compatibility: New drivers often introduce support for new operating systems and applications.

Understanding driver types

Before you start updating drivers, it's helpful to understand what types of drivers you might need:

• Device drivers: These drivers control hardware components such as graphics cards, sound cards, network adapters, and printers.
• System drivers: These drivers manage core system functions such as storage controllers, chipset drivers, and input devices (mouse and keyboard).
• Peripheral drivers: These drivers handle external devices connected to your computer, such as USB devices, webcams, and external hard drives.

Manual driver update

One way to update drivers on Windows is to do it manually. Here are the steps:

Checking the Device Manager

1. Press the Windows + X keys on your keyboard to open the Quick Access menu.
2. Select Device Manager from the list.
3. In the Device Manager window, you will see a list of all the hardware components on your computer.

Identifying and updating out-of-date drivers

1. Look at the list of devices and identify which of them has a problem. Devices with outdated drivers usually have a yellow triangle with an exclamation mark next to it.
2. Right-click on the device that needs an update and select Update Driver.
3. In the next window, select Search automatically for updated driver software. Windows will search for the latest driver and install it if it finds it.
4. If Windows doesn't find a new driver, you can choose Browse my computer for driver software and manually locate the driver if you've already downloaded it from the manufacturer's website.

Automatic driver updates

Another way to update drivers is to use automated tools provided by the operating system or third-party software solutions:

Windows Update

Windows Update can sometimes provide driver updates:

1. Click the Start button and then select Settings (gear icon).
2. Go to Update & Security.
3. Select Windows Update from the sidebar.
4. Click Check for Updates. Windows will search for updates, including driver updates.
5. If any updates are found, you can download and install them.

Using a third-party tool

Several third-party tools can also help you keep your drivers updated:

• Driver Booster: This is a popular tool that scans for outdated drivers in your computer and installs the latest versions.
• Driver Easy: This tool allows you to scan for driver updates and download them. However, the free version has download speed limitations.
• Snappy Driver Installer: This is a free tool that scans for driver updates and installs them. It is open-source and supports offline installation.

Updating specific types of drivers

For specific hardware components, you may need to take additional steps to update the drivers:

Graphics driver

Graphics drivers are vital for optimal performance on your computer. Here's how to update your graphics driver:

1. Identify your graphics card model. You can do this by opening Device Manager, expanding the Display Adapters section, and noting the name of your graphics card.
2. Go to the manufacturer's website (NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel).
3. Find the latest drivers for your graphics card model.
4. Download and install the graphics driver update by following the on-screen instructions.

Network Drivers

Network drivers control your wired or wireless network adapter:

1. Identify your network adapter model by opening Device Manager and expanding the Network Adapters section.
2. Visit the manufacturer's website (such as Intel, Realtek, or your computer manufacturer's site).
3. Find the latest driver for your network adapter model.
4. Download and install the update following the instructions provided.

What to do if a driver update causes problems

Sometimes, updating a driver can cause unexpected problems. If you experience problems after a driver update, you can roll back the driver:

1. Open Device Manager.
2. Right-click on the problematic device and select Properties.
3. Go to the Driver tab.
4. Select Roll Back Driver to revert to a previous version.

Best ways to update drivers

Follow these best practices to ensure your driver updates go smoothly:

• Backup your data: Always back up your important data before updating drivers. This can prevent your data from getting lost if anything goes wrong.
• Create a system restore point: Create a system restore point before updating drivers. This allows you to restore your system back to a previous state if the update causes problems.
• Update regularly: Make it a habit to check for driver updates regularly. Updated drivers ensure that your system runs optimally and safely.
• Avoid beta drivers: Beta drivers may not be stable. Unless you need a feature specific to the beta version, stick with the official release.

Updating drivers for Windows 10 and Windows 11

Windows 10 and Windows 11 offer similar methods to update drivers. The steps mentioned above will work for both operating systems. However, there may be slight changes in the user interface.

Conclusion

Updating drivers on Windows is an essential task to maintain the performance, stability, and security of your computer. Whether you choose to update drivers manually, use Windows Update, or rely on third-party tools, keeping your drivers up to date is essential. Follow the steps and best practices outlined in this guide to keep your hardware running smoothly and efficiently.

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