A device driver is a link between the computer and the peripheral hardware. Every task you perform needs to be done through at least one driver. Windows 10 also usually come with a set of drivers that lets Windows and computer hardware work well. Some of the Windows 10 drivers also allow Windows OS to communicate with connected devices like monitors, USBs, SD card readers, printers, cameras, webcams, microphones, mice, keyboards, etc.
If some of the drivers on Windows 10 are missing or outdated, then the computer, hardware, or the plugged-in external device may not work correctly. Besides, an outdated driver can cause system instability, hardware failure, and slow response.
Below you can learn how to update and install drivers in Windows 10.
Does Windows 10 Install Drivers Automatically?
Windows 10 automatically downloads and installs drivers for your devices when you first connect them. However, even though Microsoft has a large supply of drivers in their catalog, they are not always the latest version, and many drivers for specific devices are not found. If necessary, you can also install the drivers yourself.
But, if the drivers the system is identifying are right or there’s another issue, you may have to search them out and install them manually. Your best bet is to go to the website of manufacturer for the hardware you’re using.
Automatically Update Drivers on Windows 10
To change the settings for automatic driver installation on Windows 10, you need to find the driver settings page first.
- In the Cortana search bar, type Change device installation and click on Change device installation settings.
- Choose whether to let Windows automatically download the driver software or do it yourself. Automatic updating is the easiest method, whereby Windows will habitually check for driver updates and install them.
- Clicking the second option to install drivers manually brings up several other options. If you don’t want Windows to install the driver software, select the second option: Never install driver software from Windows Update.
Manually Update Drivers in Windows 10
If you want to update your drivers manually, there are a few ways. We’ll go over the different methods, so you can choose which way works best for you.
Method 1: Manually Update Drivers via Device Manager
- Right-click the Start Menu and select Device Manager.
- Find the device that requires a driver update and right-click it, then select Update driver. If you need details on the current driver, select Properties instead. From there, you can also update the driver.
Method 2: Manually Update Drivers via Windows Settings
You can easily check for Driver updates in Windows Settings. Here’s how:
- Use the Win + I keyboard shortcut to access the device settings. When the window opens, click on Update & Security.
- From here, select View optional updates.
- Select the drop-down arrow next to Driver Updates and select the ones you’d like to install.
- You can also view which drivers are already installed by selecting the View update history option on the Windows Update page, as shown above.
Method 3: Manually Update Drivers via Manufacturer’s/Device’s Website
You can also update drivers through the device’s company website. For example, if you have an NVIDIA graphics card installed, you can update the driver for the card via NVIDIA’s official website.
Once you’ve updated your drivers, your device should be ready to use with Windows 10. If all else fails, you can factory reset Windows 10 and start fresh. Just be sure to save your existing personal files like images, music, and more before taking that action.
Uninstall Drivers
You can uninstall drivers that you no longer need, and the process is rather simple once you have a basic understanding of it.
- Right-click the Start Menu and select Device Manager.
- Find the device that you want to uninstall and right-click it, then select Uninstall device.
- When the process is complete, simply restart your system, and you should be good to go.
Conclusion
This article introduces 5 methods to install and update drivers in Windows 10, you can apply the methods based on your situation. And if you have any suggestions, you are free to comment below.
