Device drivers are the software programs that enable communication between your device and the operating system of your computer. In order to take advantage of the features and capabilities of your device, it is important to ensure that you have the latest version of the device drivers.
Updating device drivers is generally considered a relatively simple process. It is important however that you familiarise yourself with the process and understand the risks involved in any device driver updates.
1. Determine Your Device Driver Version
The first step in updating your device drivers is to determine which version you currently have installed. In Windows 10 you can do this by pressing the Windows logo key + X key combination on your keyboard. This will bring up the Quick Access Menu which allows you to view Device Manager. Once opened, find the category for your device and double-click it to expand it. You should then see the name of your device and the associated device driver version.
In other versions of Windows, you can look for this information from within the “System Properties” section. To access System Properties, click the Start button and type in “System Properties”, or alternatively search for it in the Control Panel. Once opened, click the “Device Manager” link on the left hand side of the window. Expand the categories until you find your device, then double-click it to view the device driver version.
2. Check for Driver Updates
Once you have established which version of the device driver you have installed, the next step is to check for any available updates. It is important to note that not all device manufacturers provide the latest updates, so you may need to contact the manufacturer or visit their website to find out if there are any updates available.
If you are unable to find out if there are any updates available, you can also check websites such as Windows Update, which can provide driver updates for many devices. To access Windows Update, open the control panel and select “Windows Update”. Here you can check for new updates and install them if any are available.
3. Install Device Driver Updates
When downloading a driver update, it is important to ensure that you are downloading the correct version for your device and operating system. This can be done by checking the download page carefully, ensuring that the version you are downloading matches the version installed on your device.
Once you have downloaded the driver update, you can begin the installation process. For Windows 10 users, this involves double-clicking the .exe file that was downloaded and following the on-screen instructions. If you are using an earlier version of Windows, the updated driver file should launch automatically and guide you through the installation process.
4. Uninstall Old Drivers
It is important to uninstall any previous versions of device drivers before installing updated drivers. This can be done from within Device Manager. Right-click the device for which you want to remove the drivers and select “Uninstall”. You may be asked to confirm that you want to uninstall the driver, and it is important that you select “Yes” to continue.
Once you have successfully removed the old driver, you can proceed with the installation of the updated driver.
5. Manually Update Drivers
If you are unable to find any driver updates from the device manufacturer or Windows Update, you may need to manually update your device drivers. This involves downloading the updated driver files from the manufacturer’s website and copying them to your PC.
Once the driver files have been downloaded, you need to open Device Manager and right-click the device for which you want to update the drivers. Select “Update Driver” and then “Browse my computer for driver software”. When prompted, select the location where you saved the updated driver files and then follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.
Updating your device drivers is essential to ensure that you are taking full advantage of the features and capabilities of your device. By following the steps outlined above, you should be able to get the latest version of your device drivers and keep your device running smoothly.