Finding and updating device drivers on Windows can be a bit complicated, depending on your specific operating system version. For example, Windows 95 required the user to go to the manufacturer’s website to check for and download updated drivers, while in later versions of Windows, such as Windows XP, 7, 8 and 10, this process is largely automated.
In Windows XP, the built-in Device Manager allows the user to identify hardware connected to the PC, and if a driver is needed for that device, the software will prompt the user to search for the appropriate driver. The driver will then automatically install, provided that the user has administrator rights on the machine.
To open the Device Manager, open the Control Panel and double-click on “System.” Click the “Hardware” tab and then click “Device Manager.” Once open, you can view all the hardware that is installed in the system, as well as any associated drivers.
If a device needs a driver and none is installed, the device will appear with a yellow question mark or exclamation point next to it. This means that the device is not functioning properly and needs a driver update. To update the driver, right-click on the device and select “Update Driver.” The system will then search Windows Update, the Internet and any CD-ROMs or disks that may be present for the appropriate driver. If the needed driver is found, it will be installed automatically.
In Windows Vista, many of these same steps also apply, but there are some differences. For example, instead of accessing the Device Manager through the Control Panel, users can type ” device manager” into the Start Menu’s Search utility to access it. Additionally, instead of searching for drivers through the Device Manager, users can use the Windows Update feature to search for driver updates.
To search for driver updates using Windows Update, open the Start Menu and select “All Programs,” followed by “Windows Update.” From here, you can choose to search for driver updates. This will scan your computer and identify any drivers that need to be updated. The software will then provide links to where you can find and download the necessary updates.
Finally, Windows 7, 8 and 10 offer similar options as those found in XP and Vista, except that they can also perform an automatic search for updates if the driver is not already installed. To check for driver updates in these operating systems, open the Device Manager and right-click on the device in question. Select “Properties,” then click the “Driver” tab. Select “Update Driver” and the system will search for (and, if available, install) the latest driver updates.
In summary, finding and updating device drivers on Windows can be a relatively straightforward process, depending on what version of the operating system is being used. Basic steps involve accessing the Device Manager, identifying hardware connected to the PC, and either launching an automated search for updates, or searching online for them manually.