Updating drivers is an important part of maintaining computer health. Keeping drivers up to date helps ensure the computer continues to run smoothly and efficiently, and can help fix various errors and issues that may arise. Additionally, updating drivers can bring about new features and improve performance.
Firstly, you will need to identify what drivers may need updating. To do so, you can use either Windows Device Manager, or a third-party driver detection program such as Driver Booster or Snappy Driver Installer. Windows Device Manager is a built-in tool which allows you to view all devices connected to your computer and their driver status. From here you’ll be able to view whether a driver is outdated, and if it needs to be updated.
If you choose to use a third-party driver detection program, these applications will scan your computer for outdated drivers and provide you with a list of recommended updates. These programs are often faster and easier to use than Windows Device Manager, however they can be more expensive and may require some level of expertise.
After you have identified the drivers that need updating, you need to download and install them. If you are using Windows Device Manager, you can update the driver by right clicking on the device. Here you will find an option to ‘Update Driver’. You will then need to follow the steps to install the new driver.
If you chose to use a third-party driver detection program, you will need to click on the update button next to each device listed. This will then start the download process for the relevant driver. Once the download is complete, you must follow the instructions on screen to install the driver.
Another way to update drivers is to search online for them. In this case, you would need to know your device’s make and model, as well as the version of your operating system. This information can be obtained from Windows Device Manager. Once you have this information, you can search for the latest driver on the manufacturer’s website or other reliable sources.
You will then need to download and install the driver. The actual installation process will vary depending on the type of driver and your operating system. For example, some drivers may require you to run an installation program while others might require manual installation.
You should also be aware that some drivers are only available through Windows Update. These drivers are installed automatically once they are released by Microsoft. In this case, you will not need to manually download and install them.
Finally, it is important to remember that updating drivers can sometimes cause more issues than it solves. If a driver isn’t compatible with your system, it could result in a number of problems. Furthermore, installing incorrect drivers can cause even more serious issues, such as data corruption and instability. For this reason, it is best to ensure any drivers you are about to install are compatible with your system and are from a trustworthy source.