Windows devices use software called device drivers to interact with hardware and other connected devices. Device drivers allow the Windows system to identify, configure and control your hardware. You can update your devices’ drivers in the Device Manager or by using third-party software.
Updating Drivers in Windows Device Manager
The Device Manager is a tool that you can access in Windows to manage the hardware installed on your computer. The list of device types it displays includes network adapters, USB ports, disk drives and sound cards. Updating a driver in Device Manager is simple and straightforward.
1. Press the Windows key and type ‘Device Manager’. Select the first result from the search results.
2. Find the device you want to update and expand the section by clicking on the arrow next to its name.
3. Right-click on the device and select “Update Driver Software…”
4. Choose the option to search automatically for updated driver software.
5. Windows will search for the latest version of the driver and install it if it finds one.
6. Restart your computer for the changes to take effect.
Using Third-Party Software
If you don’t want to manually search for driver updates, you can use a driver updating program. These programs search for and download the most recent driver files available for your devices. Some also offer additional features like backup and restore functionality, as well as improved driver detection and reporting.
1. Download and install the driver updating program that you prefer.
2. Launch the program and let it scan your system for outdated drivers.
3. Review the list of outdated drivers and choose which ones you want to update.
4. The program will automatically download and install the updated drivers.
5. Reboot your computer so the changes can take effect.
Using Driver Detectors
Driver detectors are tools that can scan and report which drivers are installed on your machine and if they are up to date or not. They are helpful if you don’t know the exact make or model of your hardware, or if you want to determine which drivers may be causing issues with your system.
1. Download and install a driver detector program.
2. Launch the program and let it scan your system for all installed hardware.
3. Review the list of drivers and their status. Look for the ones that are marked as outdated and note their information.
4. Update the drivers by using the steps outlined above for updating drivers in Windows Device Manager or using third-party software.
Conclusion
You can easily update your drivers in Windows using the Device Manager or a driver updating program. Driver detectors can be useful for identifying outdated drivers and finding the correct drivers for your hardware, if you don’t know the exact model or make. Updating your drivers can help keep your system running smoothly, and should be done on a regular basis.