How to Download the Latest Drivers for Windows
By Timothy Tibbettson 07/21/2023 |
Getting the latest drivers for your computer should be easy, with but thousands of possible combinations of operating systems, hardware and computer manufacturers, getting the most recent drivers can be overwhelming. In this article, we look at the pros and cons of where you can get the latest drivers for your computer.
Whenever you have a problem with your computer, updating drivers is frequently the first thing you're asked to do. Drivers are simply software that communicates with your hardware so that everything works correctly.
1: Windows Updates
The typical computer user receives the latest drivers from Windows Updates and usually only needs to update their drivers when a problem occurs. While most drivers downloaded through Windows Updates work fine, the most common problem is outdated video drivers. Most video card companies update roughly once a month, meaning your video drivers are almost always out of date. You can disable Windows Update from downloading drivers if you like.
Peripherals, including mice, keyboards, and headsets, often come with proprietary software from the manufacturer and updates automatically. While you can download drivers only (we do), most gamers and hardcore users should consider downloading the latest software for your peripherals (see the list of links below).
Pros: Windows Updates requires no user intervention.
Cons: Windows Updates requires the drivers are WHQL certified. By the time the drivers are certified and Microsoft makes them available, they're already out of date.
2: Third-Party Apps
Years ago, we used to look for our driver updates one at a time, and that could take hours. Now we have excellent third-party driver updating apps that can do all the work for you. Here are a few of our favorites:
Driver Booster
SlimDrivers
Snappy Driver Installer
Snappy Driver Installer Origin
SnailDriver
DUMo (Drivers Update Monitor)
Pros: You can't beat downloading all of the latest drivers all at once.
Cons: While most are freeware, some are ad-supported, meaning they offer to install other apps, offers, or show advertising. Occasionally, these programs don't always have the most current drivers for everything.
3: From Your Computer Manufacturer
If you purchased a brand-name computer, then your manufacturer offers the latest drivers for you. We only use this method if you can't find a driver you need, typically for an old computer and operating system.
Pros: We can't think of one.
Cons: The drivers they offer are customized drivers from the hardware manufacturer who provides what is known as a reference driver. While your computer manufacturer is busy adding their interface or logo, the drivers often are already out of date. Every computer builder offers driver updates for about a year, so if your computer is over a year old, don't bother.
4: From the Hardware Manufacturer
While listed last, downloading the latest drivers from each hardware manufacturer is the best way to be sure you have the latest drivers. But, it's time-consuming and rarely worth the time. We download from the manufacturer when we know we need a driver that's out of date. The most common drivers we get directly from the manufacturer is video drivers.
Pros: You always have the absolute latest drivers.
Cons: You may unintentionally download a beta driver or a driver that lacks features the manufacturer of your hardware added.
All three major video card manufacturers offer proprietary driver updater apps:
NVIDIA GeForce Experience
AMD Driver Autodetect
Intel Driver & Support Assistant
5: Popular Computer Manufactuers
Here is a list of links to the more popular hardware manufacturers if you need the latest drivers. Each website has a Support, Drivers, or Download page.
Video:
AMD
Intel
NVIDIA
Sound:
Asus
Creative Labs (Sound Blaster)
M-Audio
Realtek
Turtle Beach
Periphials
Kensington
Logitech
Mad Catz
Microsoft
Razer
Roccat
Saitek
SteelSeries
Thrustmaster
Zowie
Similar:
How-To Backup and Restore Your Drivers
How-To Stop Windows Updates From Downloading Drivers on Windows 10
How to Use Driver Verifier Manager to Troubleshoot Driver Issues
What is Windows Hardware Quality Labs or WHQL?
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Whenever you have a problem with your computer, updating drivers is frequently the first thing you're asked to do. Drivers are simply software that communicates with your hardware so that everything works correctly.
1: Windows Updates
The typical computer user receives the latest drivers from Windows Updates and usually only needs to update their drivers when a problem occurs. While most drivers downloaded through Windows Updates work fine, the most common problem is outdated video drivers. Most video card companies update roughly once a month, meaning your video drivers are almost always out of date. You can disable Windows Update from downloading drivers if you like.
Peripherals, including mice, keyboards, and headsets, often come with proprietary software from the manufacturer and updates automatically. While you can download drivers only (we do), most gamers and hardcore users should consider downloading the latest software for your peripherals (see the list of links below).
Pros: Windows Updates requires no user intervention.
Cons: Windows Updates requires the drivers are WHQL certified. By the time the drivers are certified and Microsoft makes them available, they're already out of date.
2: Third-Party Apps
Years ago, we used to look for our driver updates one at a time, and that could take hours. Now we have excellent third-party driver updating apps that can do all the work for you. Here are a few of our favorites:
Pros: You can't beat downloading all of the latest drivers all at once.
Cons: While most are freeware, some are ad-supported, meaning they offer to install other apps, offers, or show advertising. Occasionally, these programs don't always have the most current drivers for everything.
3: From Your Computer Manufacturer
If you purchased a brand-name computer, then your manufacturer offers the latest drivers for you. We only use this method if you can't find a driver you need, typically for an old computer and operating system.
Pros: We can't think of one.
Cons: The drivers they offer are customized drivers from the hardware manufacturer who provides what is known as a reference driver. While your computer manufacturer is busy adding their interface or logo, the drivers often are already out of date. Every computer builder offers driver updates for about a year, so if your computer is over a year old, don't bother.
4: From the Hardware Manufacturer
While listed last, downloading the latest drivers from each hardware manufacturer is the best way to be sure you have the latest drivers. But, it's time-consuming and rarely worth the time. We download from the manufacturer when we know we need a driver that's out of date. The most common drivers we get directly from the manufacturer is video drivers.
Pros: You always have the absolute latest drivers.
Cons: You may unintentionally download a beta driver or a driver that lacks features the manufacturer of your hardware added.
All three major video card manufacturers offer proprietary driver updater apps:
5: Popular Computer Manufactuers
Here is a list of links to the more popular hardware manufacturers if you need the latest drivers. Each website has a Support, Drivers, or Download page.
Video:
Sound:
Periphials
Similar:
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