Windows 10 how to update all drivers
How to update Drivers in Windows 10
In this post, we will show you how to update Drivers in Windows 10. You can use Device Manager, Windows Update, third-party software or update it manually. As an example, we will see how to update the USB drivers. A device driver is essentially a piece of software designed for a specific operating system like Windows 10. The OS uses it to communicate with other hardware devices. While Windows Update will update your computer system including the Device Drivers automatically, there may be a time when you may have to, on your own, update your drivers, if you are facing issues.
NOTE: You can now run Windows Updates and see if any driver updates are available under Optional Updates. It’s a quicker and easier way.
How to update Drivers in Windows 10
Let us take a look at these four ways.
1] Using Device Manager
Right-click on the Start button to open the WinX Menu.
Select Device Manager to open the following tool.
Now identfy the Driver you want to update. As an examplae here, we will opt to update the USB Driver.
So locate the Universal Serial Bus controller and double-click on it to expand it.
You will see various USB drivers installed. Select the one you want to update and right-click on it.
The menu will show you the option to Update driver. Select it to open the following wizard.
It is recommended to select Search automatically for updated driver software and let Windows identify, download and install the driver.
If an update is found, Windows will download and install it. But if no update is found, you will see the following screen.
You may click on OK and exit or select Search for updated drivers on Windows Update.
If you have the driver file on your computer, you can select Browse my computer for driver software.
Select the driver software file on your hard disk and click OK to proceed.
There is another way. You can right-click on the Driver and select Properties to open the following window.
Click open the Driver tab, and you will see the button to Update Driver. You can use this way too.
NOTE: Starting with Windows 10 August 2020 Update, you will be able to install Driver and Optional Updates via Windows Update.
2] Using Windows Update
From the WinX Menu, open Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and click on Check for updates button. You will have to ensure that automatic driver installation is not disabled.
Windows will then check for and download driver updates if any are available.
3] Using Driver Update software
While there are several free Driver Update software available that will help you update all drivers at the same time, we do not recommend this method, as things have been known to mess up. In any case, should you opt to use this method, do create a system restore point first.
4] Manually download & run the driver update setup file
This post shows where to download drivers for Windows 10 from the official manufacturer’s websites. It also links to official tools you can use to download driver updates. This is also a safe route to use.
I hope you find this post helpful.
How to update drivers in Windows 10 [Full Guide]
Drivers are an essential part of every Windows ecosystem. Without these invisible software packages, you basically can’t run your hardware as intended.
Thus, keeping them up to date is of essential value for all Windows users, both home users and professionals.
Every piece of hardware requires a proper driver to work correctly because drivers are the soul of every computer.
If a particular component of your computer is missing or has an outdated driver, various problems may occur.
For example, if your graphics card is missing a driver, you’ll have display problems, if your sound card is missing a driver, you won’t hear any sound on your computer, and so on.
Keeping all your drivers up to date is essential for your computer to work properly. But in Windows 10, keeping your drivers updated is slightly harder than it used to be in previous versions of the OS.
You probably know that Microsoft imagined Windows 10 as a service. This means we won’t get a new version of Windows in the future, but just bigger updates for the current version.
The problem with these updates is that some of them can make your drivers outdated or even incompatible.
In that manner, it is highly recommended to check all your drivers after installing a major update for Windows 10.
Because, as we said, if an update makes your drivers outdated or incompatible, you may face some major problems.
There are a couple of ways to check for drivers update, and each method is quite simple. So, if you still haven’t, do your computer a favor, and update all your drivers to the latest versions.
How can I update drivers in Windows 10?
1. Install dedicated driver downloading software
There are various third-party tools that you can use to automatically install the latest drivers on your Windows 10 computer. DriverFix is one of the most efficient options to take into consideration.
You need to know from the start that it makes updating drivers simple even for newbies. More precisely, the tool runs automatically to find outdated drivers.
When new updates appear, easily grab them from inside the program’s database and skip the trouble of downloading them manually.
Run a System Scan to discover potential errors
Plus, backups of your computer’s system files and settings are always created before important changes are made. If something happens to go wrong, rest assured that you’ve got no reasons to worry about.
DriverFix
2. Use Windows Update
Microsoft has some sort of partnership with bigger hardware manufacturers like Intel, Nvidia, AMD, etc. Therefore, these companies regularly release driver updates for their components via Windows Update.
So, if you’re rocking a newer NVidia or ATI graphics card, all you need to do to keep your drivers up to date is to regularly check for Windows updates.
You probably already know how to check for updates in Windows 10, but it won’t hurt if we remind you once again.
To check for updates, go to the Settings app > Updates & security, and just check for updates. This way, you’ll keep all your drivers updated, and install all the other Windows 10 updates available too.
3. Use Device Manager
As we said, this is the most popular method of checking for driver updates in Windows 10.
In case you don’t receive your driver updates via Windows Update, the most common way to check for driver updates is with the Device Manager.
It might take some time to check every single driver manually, but you can solve a lot of problems by doing that. To check for driver updates in Device Manager, do as described above.
4. Update your drivers from the manufacturer’s website
You can also download drivers manually from the manufacturer’s website, in case the Device Manager fails to find any updates for your drivers.
Here are the official driver download links for the most common drivers used on Windows PCs:
There are a few more ways to update your computer’s drivers, but those we listed above are the best.
You’ll also stumble upon a few more programs that offer you scanning for driver changes, and automatically installing updates.
However, we don’t recommend using all these programs, because not all of them guarantee the most accurate results.
Do not hesitate to refer to our above tips and update drivers in Windows 10 in no time. Let us know how the procedure went for you in the comments area below.
How to properly update device drivers on Windows 10
Source: Windows Central
On Windows 10, a device driver is an essential piece of code, which allows the system to interact with a specific hardware (such as graphics card, storage driver, network adapter, Bluetooth, etc.), as well as peripherals, including mice, keyboards, printers, monitors, and many others.
Usually, the detection and installation of device drivers happen automatically using the built-in driver library and the Windows Update service. However, sometimes, you may still need to update some devices manually for a number of reasons. For example, when Windows 10 cannot recognize a component. The device stops working after an upgrade. Windows Update installs a generic package, or you have to apply a critical fix or access a new feature quickly.
Whatever the reason it might be, Windows 10 comes with several options to manually update a device driver, including using Windows Update, Device Manager, and auto-update assistants from device manufacturers.
In this Windows 10 guide, we’ll walk you through three different methods to properly update hardware drivers on your computer. Also, we outline the steps to determine if the driver was updated successfully.
How to update drivers on Windows 10 using Windows Update
Usually, it takes time for manufacturers to make newer drivers available through Windows Update. However, it’s still the best option to download and install drivers manually. The reason is that only the packages compatible with your system configuration will be listed on this page, minimizing the chances of adding the wrong update. Also, the drivers in this channel have been tested, verified, and signed by Microsoft.
To quickly update device drivers using Windows Update, use these steps:
Click the View optional updates option.
Source: Windows Central
Select the driver you want to update.
Source: Windows Central
Once you complete the steps, the newer driver will download and install automatically on your device.
If the «View optional updates» link is not available after checking for updates, then Windows Update doesn’t have any new drivers or any update for other products at that particular time.
How to update drivers on Windows 10 using Device Manager
Alternatively, you can also update drivers for a printer, wireless adapter, monitor, and other components using Device Manager.
If the driver isn’t available on Windows Update because it’s too recent or available only in beta, you will have to download and install the package from the manufacturer’s support website manually.
Usually, when downloading an update from the manufacturer, you should always use their instructions first. If the support website doesn’t offer any assistance, then double-click the installer and continue with the on-screen directions to complete the update.
In the case that you’re dealing with a self-extracting package, double-click the file to extract its content. Or use this guide to extract the content of the «.zip» compressed file, and then continue with these steps:
Right-click the hardware and select the Update driver option.
Source: Windows Central
Click the Browse my computer for driver software option.
Source: Windows Central
Click the Browse button.
Source: Windows Central
After you complete the steps, the wizard will scan, detect, and install the newer driver on your device to improve the overall experience and support with fixes and new features.
While you can manually update a component using this method, typically, you would use these steps to update the controllers for an older piece of hardware. In the case that you want to install an old printer, you can use these steps.
Historically, you could also use Device Manager to download drivers directly from the Windows Update service. However, it’s no longer possible since Microsoft has removed the option from Device Manager during a quality update released for the Windows 10 May 2020 Update. As a result, moving forward, when a new driver update is detected on your computer, it’ll appear automatically in the Windows Update settings, more specifically, inside the optional updates page.
How to update graphics drivers on Windows 10
Typically, if the graphics card is working, it’s never a good idea to update its driver. However, graphics card manufacturers are known to rollout updates periodically to improve the experience, support, fix bugs, and add more functionalities, especially for games.
If you have to be on the most recent version of the graphics driver, instead of waiting for it to arrive through Windows Update, you can use the graphics control panel available from Nvidia, AMD, or Intel to download and install the latest updates.
You can use the links below to download the software for the brand you’re using:
After you download the app, installing it should be as easy as double-clicking the installers and going through the usual next, next, next wizard. Once you’re in the control panel, you can click the check for updates button from the driver’s section to download and install the latest driver.
Source: Windows Central
Download graphics driver manually
In the case that you don’t want to install another piece of software, you should be able to download the latest graphics driver directly from the manufacturer’s support website.
The list below includes the links to download the latest update for your graphics card directly from your manufacturer support website:
Once you downloaded the package, use the manufacturer instructions to complete the update installation. If no instructions are available, usually, you only need to launch the installer, go trough a couple of clicks, and the wizard will remove the old driver and replace it with the new version automatically.
Download graphics driver automatically
Alternatively, if you don’t know the brand and model of the video card, some manufacturers often provide a tool to detect the driver you need automatically.
You can use the links below to download and run the auto-detect and install driver assistant for your computer:
While on the website, download the assistant, then double-click the executable, and continue with the on-screen directions to complete the driver update.
If you’re using an OEM device (such as Dell, HP, Lenovo, Asus, etc.), consider that many manufacturers (especially Intel) modify their drivers to limit, expand, or optimize the functionalities of the integrated graphics card. This means that if you have a branded device, it’s always recommended to download the latest updates from the computer manufacturer support website instead of Intel. Otherwise, your device might experience unexpected behaviors, missing configurations, or you may not be able to access all the features.
You may also be able to check the device model and brand using Device Manager with these steps:
Confirm the brand and model of the graphics card.
Source: Windows Central
After you complete the steps, you can use the information to download the correct driver update for your computer. If the information isn’t available, then you may have to use one of the available tools from Nvidia, AMD, or Intel to detect the driver you need. Or you could also consult your device manual to determine the hardware configuration to find the correct driver update.
How to determine if a driver updated successfully on Windows 10
Once the update has been applied, you may want to confirm that the latest version was installed correctly using Device Manager.
To see the current driver version details on Windows 10, use these steps:
Right-click the hardware and select the Properties option.
Source: Windows Central
Confirm the «Driver Date» and «Driver Version» information.
Source: Windows Central
Once you complete the steps, if these details match the manufacturer’s support website’s information, then the device has the latest version of the driver on Windows 10.
If the driver didn’t update correctly, repeat the steps one more time. If you continue with the same problem, make sure to ask for help in the Windows Central forums.
More Windows 10 resources
For more helpful articles, coverage, and answers to common questions about Windows 10, visit the following resources:
We may earn a commission for purchases using our links. Learn more.
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How to: Install and Update Hardware Drivers in Windows 10
Technical Level : Intermediate
Summary
Windows 10 continues the tradition of hardware compatibility by providing support for a vast collection of devices available within the Windows ecosystem. Hardware detection in particular is an important part of the out of the box experience. Driver software which makes this happen, allows your hardware to function by communicating with the operating system. In this article, we take a look at installing and updating drivers in Windows 10.
Details
I recently installed Windows 10 on an HP Elitebook to see how well the most recent Windows 10 build performs. The Elitebook is a fairly recent model notebook which includes an assortment of hardware technologies. Out of the box though I did not get a complete system, for instance the Intel HD Graphics 3000 was not detected and I was instead limited to the Microsoft Basic Display Adapter.
Apart from this, I had wi-fi ready, which mean, I could connect to the Internet right away.
Installing drivers through Windows Update
Windows Update is the premier starting point to resolve most common driver issues you might experience immediately after installing Windows 10.
Simply launch it from Start > Settings > Update and Recovery and click Check for Updates
Press Windows key + R
Type: ms-settings:windowsupdate
Click Check for updates (make sure you have an active Internet connection).
Immediately, Windows Update will detect your system configuration and download all the appropriate drivers for your system. As you can see in the above screenshot, my Intel HD 3000 Graphics was installed automatically. I did not even have to reboot the system. In addition to other hardware components were also detected and installed which includes my LAN adapter and card reader.
Important Drivers you should get after installing Windows 10.
When you perform a new install or upgrade, you should download the latest software drivers from the manufacturers website for your computer model. Important drivers include: Chipset, Video, Audio and Network (Ethernet/Wireless). For laptops, make sure you download the latest Touch Pad drivers. There are other drivers you will probably need, but you can often download these through Windows Update after have a working Internet connection setup.
How to find and download drivers from the manufacturers website:
Drivers can normally be found in the Support section from the manufacturers website where you will find a Software and Drivers sub-section. The method to find it will vary depending on the brand. You can go to your favorite search engine then enter the following query «model and make drivers download’ example: ‘hp 8460p drivers download’. This will often provide a direct link.
Normally, you might not find native Windows 10 drivers. If this is the case, use the latest Windows drivers available for your model. So if they only have Windows 7 drivers, try using those. Make sure you download the right drivers for your architecture (32 or 64 bit).
Proceed to download the appropriate drivers after selecting your version of Windows. The manufacturer might list two versions of the driver, always choose the latest.
Again, the procedures will vary, but as long as you can find the drivers and download section, normally available within Support, you should be able to get to the drivers. If you are reading this before upgrading, try having the essential drivers in advance.
Install drivers using Device Manager
If your driver was not detected or installed by Windows Update, you can try installing the driver manually if you have a compatible version. Windows 10 and previous versions of Windows such as Windows 7 share the same driver model, so it should work.
Press Windows key + X
Click Device Manager
Once device manager is open, select the device, right click it and click Update Driver Software
This will launch the update driver software wizard, which presents two options.
Here I have selected to use an existing driver, browse to where the driver is located on your computer, whether that is a partition, network share, thumbdrvie or install disc. Make sure the option to Include subfolders is checked.
Click Next and wait while the wizard completes the installation.
Using Compatibility Mode to Resolve Driver problems
If both Windows Update and driver update prove unsuccessful, the next option is Troubleshoot Compatibility. Troubleshoot Compatibility provides a simple way to make older drivers work under modern versions of Windows by making the driver believe it is being installed on a supported version of Windows.
The first thing you need to do is point where the setup files are located. If you are installing from a thumb drive or CD/DVD. Launch File Explorer (Windows key + E) and open the location where the setup files are stored.
Right click the setup file for the program, this can be designated as setup.exe or something similar. Click Troubleshoot Compatibility
This will launch the Program Compatibility Troubleshooter wizard which will check for issues.
Select the option “Troubleshoot program”
Depending on the problems you are experiencing when attempting to install or use the software, check off the problems. In my case:
Select a version of Windows the program is known to work in. I notice the program works great in Windows Vista (with Service Pack 2), so I will select that option. Click Next
Proceed to run the through the programs setup routine by clicking Test the program….
Follow the on screen instructions to install the program as you normally would.
If all is successful, click the option at the end of the wizard ‘Yes, save these settings for this program’
Wait while your settings for the program are saved.
If you have a driver such as your video card automatically installing upon completion of installation and checking for Windows Update, try disabling automatic driver installation using the instructions in the following thread:
Go to the hardware developers website, download the appropriate driver for your model then install in compatibility mode using the instructions above.
How to install your printer:
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Lots of detail here.
Unfortunately, none of this worked.
Windows Update does not find any new drivers and wuapp.exe does not even seem to exist in Windows 10 Preview.
Trying to load the latest driver according to the Intel Driver Update Utility gives an error message that the hardware does not meet minimum specifications. Given that this is the Dell M6800 and there are no higher hardware specifications, that must mean some other problem.
Finally, there appears to have been an Intel Windows 10 Beta driver for the HD4600, but it’s not accessible from the Intel website and Windows Update does not load it.
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JurekNowak, I have the same issue as you. I have a Dell Inspiron 6000 currently running Windows 7 Professional 32bit, and my display adapter is the ATI X300 with 128mb. Its a strong laptop even though it is close to 10 years old, I run a SSD, and upgraded a ton of things like the RAM and Wifi, Windows 7 even rates my system a 3.5.
When I tried to install Windows 10 technical preview, it ran great on this laptop, even smoother and quicker than Windows 7 in every way, with exception of the video. HD video would constantly skip and run very poorly because I was limited to the Microsoft generic display driver. Compatibility tweaks to the driver setup do not work!
No matter what actions I took, I could not install my ATI drivers that I was using in Windows 7. Since the system is 10 years old, Dell/AMD most likely is not going to provide any support for an updated driver. I haven’t ran the most recent version of Win 10 technical preview (last one I tried was 9926 I think), but I doubt there was a workaround created to allow older drivers to be accepted by this new OS.
I’m going to image my current hard drive and allow the Windows 10 update to install once it is ready this month. If a fix isn’t in the cards, I will be rolling back my system to Windows 7.
#windows10 #win10 #windowsx #microsoft #pleasefix