A device driver is an essential piece of code that allows Windows 10 to detect and interact with a specific piece of hardware (such as graphics card, hard drive, or network adapter), as well as peripherals, including mice, keyboards, printers, monitors, and many others.
Mar 27, 2019 From the WinX Menu, open Settings Update & Security Windows Update and click on Check for updates button. You will have to ensure that automatic driver installation is not disabled.
Usually, Windows 10 can detect and install drivers automatically using the array of product drivers built into the system and Windows Update. However, on occasion, you may have to update a device manually for a number of reasons. For instance, when a particular piece of hardware isn't recognized automatically, stops working after an upgrade, Windows Update installs a generic package, or you need to access a new feature or bug fix.
Whatever the reason, Windows 10 comes with several options to update a device driver, including using Windows Update, Device Manager, and using auto-update assistants from device manufacturers.
In this Windows 10 guide, we walk you through several ways to properly update hardware drivers on your computer. In addition, we also outline the steps to determine if the driver was updated successfully.
How to update drivers using Windows Update
Although it can take some time until manufacturers publish their latest driver updates in Windows Update, it's still the recommended method to download and install drivers, because packages in this channel have been tested, verified, and signed by Microsoft.
To quickly update device drivers using Windows Update, use these steps:
- Open Settings.
- Click on Update & Security.
- Click on Windows Update.
Click the Check for updates button.
Once you complete the steps, if a driver is missing after an upgrade or clean installation, or a new driver has been published to improve an older version, it'll download and install automatically.
How to update drivers using Device Manager
Alternatively, you can also update drivers for a printer, wireless adapter, monitor, and other components using Device Manager.
Installing a driver from Microsoft
To update a device driver with Device Manager on Windows 10, use these steps:
- Open Start.
- Search for Device Manager and click the top result to open the experience.
- Double-click the category with the device you want to update.
Right-click the device, and select the Update Driver option.
Click the Search automatically for updated driver software option.
After you complete the steps, if a newer update is available, Device Manager will download and install the package automatically similar to Windows Update.
Installing a driver from the manufacturer
In the case that the driver isn't available through Windows Update, because it's too recent or available only in beta, you'll need to download and install the package from your manufacturer's support website manually.
When getting an update from a manufacturer support website, you should always follow their instructions, but if there are no instructions, double-click the '.exe' self-extracting package, or use this guide to extract the content of the '.zip' compressed file, and then use these steps:
- Open Start.
- Search for Device Manager and click the top result to open the experience.
- Double-click the category with the device you want to update.
Right-click the device, and select the Update Driver option.
Click the Browse my computer for driver software option.
Click the Browse button.
- Select the main folder with the content you have extracted earlier.
- Click the OK button.
- Check the Include subfolders option to allow the wizard to find the correct '.inf' file with the instructions to update the driver.
- Click the Next button.
Once you complete the steps, the new driver will install on your computer to improve the overall experience with fixes, new functionalities, or new support depending on the update.
While you can manually update a component using this method, typically, you would use these steps to install older hardware. If you're dealing with an old printer, you should follow these steps.
How to update graphics drivers on Windows 10
Although it's often not recommended to update drivers, unless necessary, graphics manufacturers are continually rolling out updates to improve the experience and support of displays and fix problems with PC games.
If you need the most recent update for your graphics card, instead of waiting to arrive through Windows Update, you can use the graphics control panel available from Nvidia, AMD, and Intel to download and install the most up-to-date driver.
You can use the links below to download the software that corresponds to your brand:
- Nvidia GeForce Experience.
- AMD Radeon Software Adrenalin Edition.
- Intel Driver & Support Assistant.
After downloading the app for your graphics card, installing the software should be as easy as your typical next, next, next wizard, and then clicking the update button from the driver's section to install the latest driver.
Downloading graphics driver manually
If you don't want to add an extra piece of software on your computer, you can also download the latest graphics drivers directly from your manufacturer support website.
You can use the links below to download the latest graphics driver:
- Nvidia.
- AMD.
- Intel.
Once you download the package, make sure to follow your manufacturer instructions to complete the installation.
Downloading graphics driver automatically
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If you're not sure the model of your graphics card, most companies also offer an assistant tool to check, download, and install the latest driver automatically.
You can use the links below to download and run the auto-detect and install driver assistant for your graphics card:
- Nvidia.
- AMD.
- Intel.
While on the website, click the download button for the assistant. Then double-click the executable, and continue with the on-screen directions to complete the driver update.
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If you're using an integrated graphics card from Intel, you should remember that computer manufacturers can modify drivers to limit or expand their functionalities to operate smoothly in their devices. This means that if you have a desktop, laptop, or tablet from a company (such as Dell, HP, Lenovo, Asus, etc.), it's recommended to get the latest update from their support website, instead of Intel. Otherwise, it's likely that your device may experience unexpected behaviors, including missing features and configurations.
How to determine if a driver updated successfully
Once you install an update for a particular driver, you also want to make sure the latest version was applied correctly.
To see the driver information on Windows 10, use these steps:
- Open Start.
- Search for Device Manager and click the top result to open the experience.
- Double-click the category with the device you want to update.
Right-click the device, and select the Properties option.
- Click the Driver tab.
See the 'Driver Date' and 'Driver Version' information.
After you complete the steps, if these details match the information provided by the manufacturer, then you're running the latest version of the driver.
More Windows 10 resources
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For more helpful articles, coverage, and answers to common questions about Windows 10, visit the following resources:
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