Install and Update Drivers in Your PC

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Drivers are small programs that help your hardware interact with the operating system. Windows will automatically install drivers for most external devices (such as printers, keyboards, and cameras) once the device is connected to your computer. If Windows cannot install drivers automatically, you’ll need to install them yourself before you can use the device. Learn how to install new device drivers from disc or download, and how to update existing drivers using the Windows Device Manager. Without the latest driver update you could be missing out on some great new features!

Steps

Installing Drivers

  1. Plug your device into the computer. When a new device (e.g. a printer, a hard drive) is connected to your PC, Windows will attempt to install the appropriate drivers automatically. You’ll see a message near the clock that says “Installing device driver software.” Watch the bottom right corner of the screen for these messages.[1]
    • If Windows is able to install the drivers on its own, you’ll see “The device is ready to use”. The device should now be ready to use.
    • If Windows cannot install a driver on its own, check your device's packaging for either a disc with the drivers or direction to a website in order to download them.
  2. Download drivers from the product’s website. Your device will likely come with instructions on how to find driver downloads on the company website. Locate a link called “Drivers,” “Software” or “Support,” then download the latest drivers to your computer.
    • If your device came with a disc you can also install drivers from the disc. Insert it into your CD drive and an installation wizard will help you install the drivers you'll need.
    • If there is no installation wizard, press ⊞ Win+E to launch File Explorer, then double-click your CD/DVD ROM drive. Look for a program called “setup,” “autorun,” or “install” on the disc—double-click it to run the installer and get your drivers.
  3. Double-click the downloaded driver file to install the drivers. If you downloaded your drivers from the website, find that file and open it. This should launch an installation wizard that will walk you through installing the drivers.
  4. Begin using your device. If you've correctly installed your drivers - your device will work now. Test it out to be sure.
    • If you installed drivers for a printer, try printing a document or photo.
    • If you installed sound drivers, try playing a YouTube video or playing a CD. Make sure your speakers are turned on and the computer volume is not muted.

Updating Drivers

  1. Make sure Windows Update is set to install recommended updates.[2] If you’re using Windows 8, 8.1 or Windows 10, Windows Update automatically will automatically keep most drivers up-to-date. You should only have to manually update third-party device drivers if instructed by tech support.
    • If you're using Windows 7 or Vista, double-check to make sure drivers update along with regular operating system updates. Press ⊞ Win+E to launch search, then type “update”. Click “Windows Update”, then “Choose how updates get installed”. If there is no checkmark next to “Give me recommended updates the same way I receive important updates”, place a checkmark into the box.
  2. Download updated drivers for a piece of hardware. If you were instructed by tech support to update a particular driver, follow their specific download instructions to acquire the update.
    • If you were given a CD or DVD that contains the updated drivers, insert it into your drive.
  3. Double-click the installer or setup program that ends in “.EXE”. If you downloaded a driver update that ends with .EXE, double-click that file to run the installer, then follow the prompts to update the driver.
    • If your drivers are compressed into a .ZIP file, right-click the file, select “Extract all,” then choose a location you’ll remember (such as the Desktop). If you see an .EXE file in the extracted folder on your desktop, double-click it to run the installer.
    • If your driver update is on a CD or DVD, press ⊞ Win+E to launch File Explorer, then double-click your CD/DVD-ROM drive. If you see an installer that ends in .EXE, run it and follow the prompts.
    • If you found an installer and ran it through to completion, your drivers will now be updated. Test your device to be sure it works properly.
  4. Update drivers manually through the Device Manager. Launch the search window by pressing ⊞ Win+S and search "device manager" to locate. [3]
    • If you don't have an .EXE driver file to open, try this method.
  5. Click “Device Manager” in the search results.[4] Device Manager will open and a list of all hardware categories (such as “Monitors” and “Security devices”) will appear on the screen.
  6. Expand the appropriate category and then double-click your device.
    • For example, if your new device is a wireless card, expand “Network adapters,” then select your card.
  7. Click to the “Driver” tab, then click “Update Driver”.[5]
  8. Click “Browse my computer for driver software.”[6] Navigate to the directory which contains the driver files you previously downloaded or to the disc that contains the files.
  9. Click “Next” to begin the driver update. Follow the prompts on the driver update screens to complete the installation.
  10. Test the device. Use your device after updating its drivers to make sure the update was successful.
    • If you experience any issues with your device after updating the drivers, contact the manufacturer to request additional support.

Tips

  • Always “eject” USB devices before unplugging them from the computer. To do this, double-click the USB icon on the bottom right corner of the screen, then select “Eject.”
  • When downloading drivers, make sure you select the correct operating system (if you’re given the option). Click here to find out your version of Windows.
  • Sometimes the discs that come with external devices include special software that adds cool features to the product.

Sources and Citations

  1. ↑ https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/hardware/ff548102(v=vs.85).aspx
  2. ↑ http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-10/update-drivers-in-windows-10
  3. ↑ http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/update-driver-hardware-isnt-working-properly#update-driver-hardware-isnt-working-properly=windows-7
  4. ↑ http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-8/all-drivers
  5. ↑ http://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/support/graphics-drivers/000005629.html
  6. ↑ http://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/support/graphics-drivers/000005474.html
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