Introduction
Keeping your Windows 10 operating system up to date is essential to ensure proper functioning and maximum performance. One critical aspect, often overlooked, is updating your drivers. Drivers are software components that communicate with your hardware devices and operating system, and outdated drivers can result in hardware failures, system crashes, or security vulnerabilities.
This article provides a comprehensive guide on how to update drivers on Windows 10. We will cover the basic steps, various types of driver updater software, manual driver updates, troubleshooting driver issues, and the importance of regular driver updates. By following these guidelines, you can update your drivers efficiently to ensure optimal performance and stability of your Windows 10 system.
Step-by-Step Guide
Here are the basic steps involved in updating drivers on Windows 10:
1. Press the Windows key + X or right-click on the Start button to access the Device Manager.
2. Locate the device you want to update drivers for.
3. Right-click on the device and select Update driver.
4. Choose either Search automatically for updated driver software or Browse my computer for driver software.
5. If you selected the first option, Windows will search for the latest driver software and install it automatically. Otherwise, select the driver software you previously downloaded and click Next.
While the above steps may work for most devices, specific devices may require a different approach. Below we provide more detailed step-by-step instructions.
Beginners:
1. Press the Windows key + X or right-click on the Start button to access the Device Manager.
2. Locate the device you want to update drivers for.
3. Right-click on the device and select Update driver.
4. Choose Search automatically for updated driver software.
5. Windows will now search for the latest driver software and install it automatically. If it doesn’t find any updated driver, you may need to do a manual driver update.
Advanced Users:
1. Press the Windows key + X or right-click on the Start button to access the Device Manager.
2. Locate the device you want to update drivers for.
3. Right-click on the device and select Properties.
4. Click on the Driver tab and note down the driver version and date.
5. Visit the device manufacturer’s website and search for the latest driver for your device model.
6. Download and save the latest driver version compatible with your Windows 10 version.
7. Unzip or extract the downloaded driver file to a new folder on your computer.
8. Press the Windows key + X or right-click on the Start button to access the Device Manager.
9. Right-click on the device and select Update driver.
10. Choose Browse my computer for driver software.
11. Click on Browse and navigate to the folder where you saved the driver files.
12. Select the driver file you want to install and click Next.
Driver Updaters
There are various types of driver updater software available for Windows 10, both free and paid. These utilities automate the process of identifying outdated drivers by scanning your system and updating them automatically. Beware that some driver updaters may install incorrect or incompatible drivers, leading to system instability. It is always a good practice to back up your data before running driver updaters.
Here are some popular driver updater software available:
1. Driver Booster: A free utility that automatically scans and identifies outdated drivers, downloads, and installs the latest version. The Pro version offers faster downloads and technical support.
2. Driver Easy: A free and paid utility that scans and identifies drivers needing updates, then downloads and installs them automatically. The Pro version offers backup and restore options.
3. Snappy Driver Installer: A free open-source utility that does not require an internet connection to use. It scans, downloads, and installs drivers for all system components.
Manual Driver Update
If you are experiencing device issues, even after using the above tools, you may need to update the drivers manually. Here’s how:
1. Press the Windows key + X or right-click on the Start button to access the Device Manager.
2. Locate the device you want to update drivers for.
3. Right-click on the device and select Properties.
4. Click on the Driver tab and note down the driver version and date.
5. Visit the device manufacturer’s website and search for the latest driver for your device model.
6. Download and save the latest driver version compatible with your Windows 10 version.
7. Unzip or extract the downloaded driver file to a new folder on your computer.
8. Press the Windows key + X or right-click on the Start button to access the Device Manager.
9. Right-click on the device and select Update driver.
10. Choose Browse my computer for driver software.
11. Click on Browse and navigate to the folder where you saved the driver files.
12. Select the driver file you want to install and click Next.
Troubleshooting Driver Issues
Sometimes, updating drivers may not resolve all device issues. Here are some tips for troubleshooting driver issues:
1. Reinstall the device driver.
2. Check the hardware connections.
3. Run a virus/malware scan.
4. Perform a system restore.
5. Check if the device is compatible with your version of Windows 10.
6. Check if the device is defective and needs to be replaced.
The Importance of Driver Updates
Updating drivers is critical, mainly because it optimizes your computer’s performance, improves security, and addresses bugs and glitches. Updated drivers mean that your hardware devices can operate at maximum capacity, ensuring smoother operations and fewer errors. Furthermore, updated drivers fix security vulnerabilities and prevent hackers from exploiting your system. In addition, bugs and glitches in drivers can be removed with new updates, ensuring that your system has fewer malfunctions. Regularly updating drivers ensures your computer runs correctly, safely, and securely.
Conclusion
Updating drivers on Windows 10 is vitally important, despite it being a somewhat laborious task. Outdated drivers can cause system crashes, hardware failures, and even security vulnerabilities. By following this step-by-step guide, troubleshooting driver issues, and using driver updater software, you can ensure that your Windows 10 system is always updated and performing optimally. Regular driver updates mean that you can enjoy smooth, error-free performance and a safer, more secure online experience.
Remember, regular driver updates are essential for optimal performance and stability, so make updating drivers a regular part of your system maintenance plan.
