Updating your graphics card drivers in Windows is an important part of ensuring that your computer runs smoothly. Outdated drivers can cause system instability, reduce performance, and even cause hardware or software issues. It’s important to keep your graphics driver up to date to get the most out of your system and avoid potential problems. Here’s how to update your graphics driver in Windows.
1. Check Which Graphics Card You Have
The first step to updating your graphics card driver is to determine which one you have. There are a few ways to do this.
First, you can open the Device Manager by typing ‘device manager’ into the Start Menu search bar and clicking on the result. Once there, expand the ‘Display Adapters’ section. This will show you which graphics card you have installed on your system.
If you’re not sure which graphics card you have, you can also check the box your graphics card came in. On the box, it should say which brand and model graphics card you have. If you don’t have the box, check the back of your computer for any stickers that might give you the information.
2. Download the Latest Driver
Once you know which graphics card you have, the next step is to download the latest driver. The best place to do this is from the manufacturer’s website.
You’ll want to find the website for the manufacturer of your graphics card. For example, if you have an NVIDIA graphics card, you’ll want to go to NVIDIA’s website and look for the drivers page.
Once you’ve found the driver page, you’ll need to select your operating system (e.g. Windows 8.1 or 10). You can then select your graphics card model and download the latest driver.
3. Install the Driver
After the driver has finished downloading, it’s time to install it. To do this, simply double-click on the driver file and follow the instructions on screen. Most drivers will install automatically, but some may require you to take additional steps.
Once the driver has been installed, it’s a good idea to restart your computer to make sure the installation was successful. After the restart, you should be able to launch your graphics card’s control panel to confirm the driver version and make sure all features are working properly.
4. Check For Updates
Once you’ve installed the driver, it’s a good idea to check for updates every few weeks or months. This way, you can ensure that you’re always running the latest and greatest driver version. Many graphics card manufacturers have their own update programs, which can check for new drivers and install them automatically.
For example, NVIDIA offers the GeForce Experience program, which can check for and install driver updates in the background. Check the manufacturer’s website to see if they have a similar program available for your graphics card.
5. Uninstalling Old Drivers
Before installing a new driver, it’s important to uninstall any old drivers. This ensures that there aren’t any incompatible drivers installed, which can cause conflicts and other issues. To uninstall old drivers, open the Device Manager again and select your graphics card. Then, right-click and select “Uninstall”.
You’ll be asked to confirm the uninstall, and once you do, the driver should be removed. You can then install the new driver and restart your computer, as mentioned earlier.
Conclusion
Updating your graphics driver in Windows is an important part of keeping your system running smoothly. It’s best to do this every few weeks or months to ensure you’re getting the best performance out of your graphics card. By following the steps outlined above, you’ll be able to quickly and easily update your graphics driver in Windows.