SOLVED: How To Update Drivers?

Your PC’s drivers need to be updated from time to time. This is necessary to keep your PC’s performance well and smooth. It also helps in getting rid of bugs that might have come along with previous updates, and it helps in fixing any ongoing issues. Learning about how to update drivers is important, as you can mess things up otherwise.

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Key Takeaways

• The device manager can update Windows 7, 8, 10, 11, XP, and Vista drivers.
• You can update your NVIDIA and AMD drivers through their official app or manufacturer’s website.
• You can also install an application that will provide driver updates accordingly.
• Giving your Windows an update can automatically update the drivers of your PC.

Updating Drivers Through Device Manager

The easiest way to update the drivers of devices recognized by your PC is through the device manager. Remember that these steps are applicable if you have Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 11, Windows 10, Windows 8, or Windows 7. Follow the given steps to proceed with the process.

1. Look for Device Manager in the Windows search bar.
2. Open the Device Manager.
3. Look for the device you want to update the drivers of. Many devices are distributed in the list by categories.
4. Press ‘>’ or ‘+’ on the left side of the category you expect your device to be in.

For Windows 8 or higher: Once the device is found, you may right-click on its name. Click on ‘Update Drivers.’

For Windows XP: When using the hardware update wizard, you will be displayed with a Windows update question. Pick the ‘No, not this time’ option.

Proceed to click on ‘Next.’ Once again, you will be displayed with two options, choose ‘Install from a list or specific location (Advanced)’ and click ‘Next.’

Now, you will be displayed with search and installation options. Pick the ‘Don’t search I will pick the driver to install’ option. Proceed to click on ‘Next.’

Lastly, click on ‘Show all devices’ and then click on ‘Next.’ You may hop on to the 7^th step to continue installing drivers in Windows XP.

5. You’ll be displayed on a window asking, ‘How do you want to search for drivers?’. Click on ‘Browse my computer for drivers.’

   

6. The next window will allow you to browse your drivers or pick them from the ones available on your computer. You should click ‘Let me pick from a list of available drivers on my computer.’

   

7. Click on the ‘Have Disk’ option.

   

8. Once you are displayed with the ‘Install From Disk’ window, click ‘Browse.’

   

9. You will be led to a folder you must look through for an ‘INF file.’

   

10. Click on the INF file you’ve found.
11. After being led back to the ‘Install From Disk’ window, click ‘Okay.’
12. You will be displayed with the newly added hardware; select it. Click ‘Next.’
13. Close the window once the driver is installed.
14. You may give your PC a restart.

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Problems You May Come Across When Updating Drivers

While installing your drivers, you may face some issues or encounter one of the below-mentioned situations.

INF Files

• When looking for INF files in the folder, you may encounter multiple INF files. You can pick any one from those. The driver update wizard already loads the information present in those files. Therefore, you do not have to worry about picking the wrong one.
• You may find several folders with INF files. To install the drivers, you may pick INF files from every folder until you have found the one you desire.
• The folder you have opened may not have the INF file. It is advised to look through other folders that are present until you find the INF file you are looking for.
• If you cannot find the INF file after going through every folder, it is better to try downloading the driver package again. The chances are that the download was corrupted.

Windows Warnings

Before installing the drivers, you may be displayed warning messages like the ones mentioned below.

• If you are displayed with ‘Windows cannot verify that the driver is compatible.’ In this situation, if you are unsure whether you have the correct INF file for the driver, it is better to click ‘No.’ You may choose a compatible driver from the box that states ‘Show compatible hardware’ to eradicate any confusion. However, if you are sure that the INF file for the driver is correct, proceed to click on ‘Yes.’
• If you are displayed with ‘Windows can’t verify the publisher of this driver software’ or ‘Driver hasn’t been signed’, Windows cannot recognize where you got the driver file. If you are certain that you have picked the file directly from the manufacturer or the installation disc, it is safe to click ‘Yes.’ However, if you have used an unofficial website, it is better to click ‘No.’
• If you are displayed with ‘Windows requires a digitally signed driver, ’ it again means that Windows cannot recognize the source of the file. You cannot continue the driver installation process if displayed with this message. To avoid such issues, searching for an official source like the manufacturer’s website or an official installation disc is better.

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Updating Graphics Card Drivers

Graphics card drivers update is essential to improve your GPU’s performance and fix bugs and issues with Windows updates. The steps below will help you update the drivers of NVIDIA and AMD.

NVIDIA Drivers Update

There are two ways you can install drivers for NVIDIA.

1. Log in to your GeForce Experience Launcher.
2. Locate the ‘Drivers’ tab located on the top left.
3. You may check for updates available on the right side and install them.

   

If you are not interested in logging in to GeForce Experience Launcher, visit NVIDIA’s official website. You can fill up all the required info regarding your GPU, and the website will provide you with the driver update if available.

AMD Drivers Update

The following are the ways you can install the latest drivers for your AMD graphics card.

1. Right-click on your Windows desktop.

   

2. Select ‘AMD Radeon Settings’ from the drop-down list.
3. Look for the ‘Updates’ tab on the window’s bottom left and click on it.

   

4. Proceed to click on the ‘Check For Updates’ tab on the right side.

   

5. You can choose from either recommended drivers or optional new releases. It is advised to pick the recommended over optional because they are less likely to cause performance issues.
6. Click on the ‘New Recommended’ tab.

   

7. Click the ‘Express Upgrade’ option from the drop-down list.

You may restart your PC once the driver has been updated. Besides the AMD Radeon Settings, you can also visit AMD’s official website. The download and support tab on top will have the driver installation option. Once you have clicked on it, proceed to fill out the model of your graphics card. You will be given the driver update if available.

Updating Drivers Through Drivers Updating App

An easy way to update your drivers is by using a driver updating tool or an application in easy words. The application allows you to install the latest drivers for your PC. They also have an automatic installation option, so you do not have to worry about updating your drivers manually occasionally.

Most apps use the manufacturer’s website to source the driver update, which is safe. However, you should always beware of any suspicious links as they carry malware which puts all your data at risk.

Updating Drivers By Updating Windows

If you want to avoid the hassle of updating drivers individually for your PC components, it is better to check if any update is available for your Windows. Windows updates carry updates for drivers of the components of your PC. So, the drivers are automatically updated once the Windows is updated.

Here’s how you can update Windows:

1. Click on the Windows logo at your screen’s bottom left.
2. Click on the Settings.
3. Click on the ‘Update and Security’ tab.
4. Click on the ‘Windows Update’ tab.
5. Check whether any update is available.

   

6. Click ‘Download and install’ if the update is available.

Conclusion

When updating drivers, it is always recommended to use official sources like the manufacturer’s website. This is mainly because third-party websites often carry harmful viruses in their downloading links. These links put all of your precious data at risk.

Also, it is recommended to update your drivers when you think your PC’s performance is degrading. Many times, updating drivers unnecessarily can result in an adverse effect on your performance as well.