How To Update Drivers on Windows 10? [4 Ways]

Are your Windows dealing with any hardware-related issues? It may be a driver-associated problem. In this article, we will learn various methods on how to update different drivers in Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, and 10. These are quite easy to perform and do not take up a lot of time. Windows provide various ways to update a device driver using manual methods, including using Device Manager, Windows Update, and by using the auto-update feature in device manufacturers. In this guide, we will look through different ways to update hardware drivers on our computers. We’ll also learn to check if the driver is updated successfully.

Why Is There A Need To Update These Drivers?

We need to update drivers when we install a new piece of hardware that doesn’t work automatically or after upgrading to a new version of Windows. It is a vital troubleshooting step when your device is facing problems or causing errors such as the Device Manager error code.

We allow new features by updating a driver for the hardware. Only up to 15 minutes are taken in Windows to update the drivers. A lot less time gets taken if the driver you have is self-installable or if we get it through Windows update.

How to Update Drivers In Windows?

So here are some ways which will enlighten us about how to update drivers in windows:

1. Update the Drivers Using The Windows Update

Using the Windows Update method is one of the easiest ways to download the drivers and update them. It checks for operating system updates (Feature or Quality updates) as well as system drivers. If there are any updates available, Windows will download and install them automatically. It is a suggested approach because they have packages that are signed by Microsoft, and get well tested and verified. Follow these steps to update the drivers using Windows Update:

• Open Settings and click on Update & Security.
• Tap the Windows Update option and click on Check for updates.

2. Updating Drivers Using Device Manager

One other way of updating drivers for printers, keyboards, network adapters, and other components is by using Device Manager. We can uninstall or disable the device. We can also view the properties of the hardware if required. Given below are a few steps which can get followed to update drivers using Device Manager:

• Open Start or Control Panel.
• Now you have to look for a Device Manager. Click the first search result and open the tool.
• Now locate the category in which your device is present. Once we find the device driver, the next step rely upon the type of Windows we own:

1. For Windows 8 and 10: Right-tap on the name of the hardware or icon and select Update Driver (for Windows 10) or Update Driver Software (for Windows 8).
2. For Windows 7 and Vista: Right-tap on the name of the hardware or icon, select Properties, then tap on the Driver tab, and at last, click the Update Drive option.

• Now tap on the first option for automatic search of software for updated drivers.

3. Manual Method Of Updating The Drivers

• Firstly, go to the Search or Control Panel and search for Device Manager.

(Note-You can also open the Quick Access Menu by pressing Win+X keys together and select the Device Manager option from there.)

• After the Device Manager window is opened, expand the categories and select the device for which you want to update the driver.
• Now, right-tap on the name of the device and choose the Update Driver Software.

• Now a pop-up window will open up, and there you’ll see two options. Select the second option for scanning the computer for driver’s software.

• Now click on the Browse option to obtain the location of the driver file which got downloaded.

• You can copy and paste the location address of the downloaded driver files to the box. Find the location address of the file as indicated by the green box.

• Now copy this address and paste it into the box, and click on the Next button to install the driver.

• Voila! You did it.

4. Install and Update Drivers from Manufacturer’s Website

You can directly visit the Manufacturer’s website. From there, you can download and update the newest drivers, particularly if you own various elements from the same company that needs updating.

• Firstly, visit the support section on the company’s website and download the required driver.
• Now open Start and go to Power Menu and open Device Manager.

• Select the hardware category you want to update like Storage Controllers or Bluetooth. This action will expand the category to list the components you want to update.
• Now right-tap on the required driver and choose Update driver.
• You have to choose the second option appearing on the screen to scan your computer for the driver’s software.

• Now click on the Browse button to open File Explorer and find the driver you downloaded. Be sure to check the Include Subfolders option so that Windows finds the correct INF file.
• Now click on the Next button to start the update.

How To Check If The Driver Is Successfully Updated?

Once the necessary driver is installed and updated, we may also want to check if the newest version is implemented correctly or not. To check this information on Windows, we have to follow these steps:

• Firstly, open Start. Now search for Device Manager and open it.

• Double-tap on the list having the hardware you want to update. Now right-tap the hardware and choose the Properties.

• Click on the Driver tab and see the “Driver Date” and “Driver Version” information.

Conclusion

After following these steps, check if all the information resembles the details given on the manufacturer’s website for support. If yes, then you have the newest version of that driver on your Windows. Repeat the process if the driver is not updated properly.

So these are the methods by which we can update the drivers on our Windows. Drop your doubts in the comment section. Revisit our website for more updates.