How to Update Windows 10 Drivers

Edited 5 months ago by ExtremeHow Editorial Team

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Drivers are essential software components that allow Windows 10 to communicate with hardware devices connected to your computer. These devices can be printers, graphics cards, network adapters, and more. Keeping these drivers updated is crucial for the optimal performance of your computer. Updated drivers can fix bugs, introduce new features, and improve the efficiency of your hardware. In this guide, we'll explore different ways to effectively update Windows 10 drivers. Whether you're updating manually, using Windows Update, or taking advantage of device manufacturers' tools, this comprehensive guide will walk you through the process step-by-step.

Understanding the importance of drivers

Before we discuss ways to update drivers, it is important to understand what drivers are and why it is important to update them. Drivers are essentially translators between the Windows operating system and your hardware device. They enable the OS to understand the capabilities of the hardware and allow the hardware to perform the tasks requested by the OS.

For example, if you want to print a document, Windows communicates with the printer driver to translate the digital data of the document into a format that the printer can understand and print. Therefore, if the driver is outdated or corrupted, it can lead to malfunctions, decreased performance, or even complete failure of the hardware.

Ways to update drivers in Windows 10

Method 1: Using Windows Update

Windows Update is a built-in tool in Windows 10 that automatically downloads and installs necessary updates, including driver updates. This method is generally the most reliable as it involves certified drivers verified by Microsoft. Here are the steps to update drivers using Windows Update:

1. Open Settings: Click the Start button and choose Settings or press Windows+I to open the Settings panel.
2. Go to Update & Security: In the Settings window, click Update & Security.
3. Check for updates: Click the Check for updates button. Windows will now search for available updates and install them automatically.
4. Optional updates: Sometimes, additional driver updates are available as optional updates. To access them, click View optional updates. If any driver updates are listed, select the ones you want to install and then click Download and Install.

Using Windows Update for driver updates is convenient, but it may not include the latest drivers for every peripheral or device, as Microsoft's testing and approval process can cause delays.

Method 2: Update the drivers manually

Updating drivers manually can be beneficial when you need the latest features or improvements offered by the device manufacturer. Follow these steps to update drivers manually:

1. Identify the device model: First, identify the specific model and manufacturer of the device you want to update the driver for. This information is usually printed on the device, in the owner's manual, or can be found in the Windows Device Manager.
2. Visit the manufacturer's website: Go to the support or driver downloads section of the device manufacturer's website and search for your device model.
3. Download the driver: Find the correct and latest driver compatible with your Windows 10 version, then download it to your computer.
4. Install the driver: Sometimes, a downloaded driver will come with an installer. Run the installer and follow the on-screen instructions. If no installer is included, update manually through Device Manager (see next section).

Method 3: Using Device Manager

Device Manager provides a way to manage installed drivers and update them directly. Here's how to use Device Manager to update drivers:

1. Open Device Manager: Right-click the Start button and select Device Manager.
2. Locate the device: In the Device Manager window, locate the device you want to update. Devices are neatly categorized, so you may have to click the small arrow next to a category to see a list of compatible devices.
3. Update the driver: Right-click the device name and select Update Driver.
4. Search automatically: You will be presented with two options. Select Search automatically for updated driver software. Windows will then search online and locally for updated drivers.
5. Browse my computer: If you have already downloaded the driver from the manufacturer, select Browse my computer for driver software, navigate to where the driver is stored, and proceed with the installation.

Driver update utilities

There are many third-party programs available that make driver updates simple. They automatically scan hardware, identify outdated drivers, and get the latest updates. Some popular tools include Driver Booster, DriverPack Solution, and Snappy Driver Installer. While they can make updating drivers easier, make sure any tool you use is reputable and has positive reviews, as unreliable tools can start problems instead of solving them.

Possible issues and solutions

• Incompatibility: Sometimes, the new driver may not be fully compatible, causing problems. If this happens, roll back the driver to a previous version using Device Manager.
• Missing features: It is possible that new driver updates do not have some of the features of older versions. To revert back, the rollback option or contacting the manufacturer's customer support may be helpful.
• Update notification: Windows may not always alert you about available driver updates. You can get better information about the latest drivers by using proactive monitoring tools or software from the device manufacturer.

Conclusion

Keeping your Windows 10 drivers updated is important for smooth operation and to ensure you get the best out of your hardware. Using Windows Update is generally a safe bet, but manually ensuring the device has the latest drivers directly from the manufacturer's website may be necessary for newer hardware or specific problems. Device Manager provides a built-in tool for updating drivers and can also help manage outdated or incompatible drivers. For those who prefer an automated solution, driver update utilities provide an easy alternative to manual updates.

Understanding and managing drivers plays a key role in maintaining an efficient and problem-free computing environment. If you encounter any particular problems with driver updates, consider contacting the hardware manufacturer's support for solution advice. Ensuring that your drivers are current can significantly enhance both the security and performance of your system, leading to a more seamless and enjoyable user experience.

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