Need to update a driver? Here’s how to do it properly on Windows 10.
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.
Usually, Windows 10 can detect and install drivers automatically using the array of product drivers built into the system and Windows Update. However, on occasions, you may have to update a device manually for many 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 apply a bug fix.
Whatever the reason it might be, 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. Also, 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 packages on 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.
Source: Windows Central
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.
