Device drivers are essential parts which allow your Windows OS to interact with its peripherals and other components such as graphics card, adapters, keyboards and more. Generally, the users don’t have to deal with these device drivers because Windows automatically recognizes its device drivers. But situations can arise when your piece of hardware fails to recognize the drivers automatically or when it stops working all at a sudden. If so, then you have to manually download and update device driver Windows 10. If you don’t know how to the steps described later in this article should help you out.
Probable Reasons Why You Should Download And Update Device Driver Windows 10:
During installation of any Windows versions or while you are reinstalling the Windows 10, you might get several errors such as “wireless network driver is not working” or “video drivers are outdated.” Some other reasons why one need to update drivers Windows 10 are analyzed below:
- If you update device drivers in Windows 10, it will remove all the device drivers of the previous system which are located in local drive (C:\)
- If you download newer drivers, then the hardware will be recognized properly in your Windows 10.
- It can fix bugs associated with the device drivers like outdated or corrupted drivers
- When the hardware device fails to install automatically
How To Install Drivers On Windows 10?
Windows 10 comes with a set of drivers which allows the Windows users to communicate with the gadgets connected to your PC. Most of the time, Windows automatically detects and recognizes its appropriate drivers by fetching automated instructions.
But sometimes, if it fails to do so. You have to fetch the correct drivers for your Windows OS and install them. You can easily locate and install new drivers on Windows 10 by following simple steps:
- At first, you need to visit the part’s manufacturer’s website. Then, from there download the latest Windows driver appropriate for your system
- After that, run the driver installer and right-click on the Start button to enter the pop-up menu
- From the pop-up menu, choose Device Manager
- In the Device Manager window, select your problematic device
- Then, go to Device Manager’s menu bar and click on Action
- After that, from the drop-down menu, choose the option ” Add Legacy hardware.”
- Then, you just need to follow the on-screen pop-ups in the Add Hardware Wizard and accordingly perform the steps.
Finally, you will be able to install the drivers on Windows 10.
Easy Tricks to Update The Drivers By Using Windows Update:
If you want to check for driver updates Windows 10, then the safest way to do this is by using Windows Update because the packages available in this channel are verified and signed by Microsoft.
For downloading and installation of driver updates automatically, you need to perform the following troubleshooting steps:
- At first, open “Settings” and click on the “Update and Security” option
- After that, choose the option “Windows update” and click on the “Check for updates” button.
Furthermore, if the hardware manufacturer publishes any further updates through Windows Update service, it will be automatically get installed on your computer.
How To Update Drivers Windows 10 By Using Device Manager?
If you want to update any particular device driver on your Windows 10 system like a Wi-Fi adapter or a printer or sound card, then you can do so by using the Windows Device Manager.
- First, click on the Start button and search for the Device Manager
- Click on the top result to open it and then expand the category with the hardware which you want to update
- After that, right-click on the device and from there, select the option “Update Driver”.
- Then, select the option “Search automatically for updated driver software.”
Once you have completed the steps, there will be a newer version of the device driver available and it will be downloaded and updated automatically.
Install The Device Drivers Manually Through These Steps:
If you don’t find any updates for the drivers but you are aware that there is a new version available, then you can download the latest drivers from your manufacturer’s support website manually by following the instructions below:
- Scroll down to the Start button and search for Device Manager
- You need to click on the top result to open it and then expand the category with the hardware which you want to update
- Then, right-click on the Device and choose the option “Update driver.”
- After that, choose the option “Browse my computer for driver software.”
- Then, click on the Browse button and select the folder along with the content that you have extracted previously
- Further, click on Ok and check the “Include subfolders” options that will allow the wizard to find the correct ‘.inf’ file with the instructions for updating the driver
- Then, click on the “Next” button.
After you have performed these steps, the latest version of the device driver will be installed on your computer.
Steps To Verify That The Driver Has Been Updated Successfully:
To confirm that you have updated the latest drivers in Windows 10, you can check the version and date. By following these steps, you can easily do this:
- Scroll down to the Start button and search for Device Manager
- You need to click on the top result to open and then expand the category with the hardware which you want to update
- Then, right-click on the Device and select the option ” Properties”
- After that, click on the Driver tab to get information on the “Driver Date” and “Driver Version.”
If you are getting the same information as provided by the manufacturer’s then you have updated the latest hardware driver successfully.
Winding Up
Though Windows 10 configures new peripherals and hardware automatically, at any time if you encounter any issue in it you need to update the driver manually. Just you have to keep in mind that you need to download the driver updates from the PC manufacturer’s website. But in case, you are unable to find the latest driver from the manufacturer’s website then you need to consult a professional to get solutions and fix the issue.
Hope this article would help you in downloading and updating device drivers on your Windows 10 PC.