Do you want your computer to provide optimal performance?
Usually, a Windows PC has hundreds of different drivers. These files help applications to interact with the hardware. Thus, keeping them up to date is a best practice for practical usage.
However, it might be challenging for a beginner to get the best available driver manually.
Enters Avast Driver Updater.
It detects and updates all drivers in your computer with the best version available.
So, without any further ado, let’s see how does it work and does it find a place in our Best Driver Updater software list?
 Developer: Avast |
Overall Rating: 8.6/10
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| Verdict: Avast Driver Updater is an advanced driver updater. It is a useful tool to check and update outdated drivers. Some users might expect more functionality from the program given you have to buy it separately as it does not come in any bundle. However, it is still robust enough tp enhance your system performance by regularly updating the drivers. |
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What Is Avast Driver Updater?
Avast is widely known for its security solutions. It has a vast user base of more than 400 million. Apart from an antivirus program, Avast also makes some PC optimization tools like Avast Cleanup, Avast Driver Updater, and Avast Battery Saver.
Avast Driver Updater scans your PC for outdated drivers and replaces them with the latest version available in its database. It servers around whooping 5 million drivers. That means there is a good chance it has all the essential drivers for your PC. Moreover, it creates a backup of the existing drivers in case things go south.
Previously it was available bundled with Avast Ultimate, but now it is a standalone application. The Avast Driver Updater provides its users with all the features without any cost in its 15 days trial period. The user can check all of a computer’s drivers and update those that are outdated. After that, they have to purchase the full version of the product.
Avast Driver Updater: Installation and Interface
Installing Avast Driver Updater is a straightforward process. You have to download the executable file from the official site of Avast, launch the installer, click on Install Now button, and follow the instructions.
The installation should complete within a few clicks.
After the installation is completed, the program will ask you to scan for the outdated drivers.
The product has a completely new look and UI from the previous versions. Avast has simplified the current version of the Driver Updater so there is a shorter process from the welcome screen and a new menu that is easier to navigate
In the Menu tab, the user has the ability to set which language is preferred, what notifications they receive about out-of-date drivers and the frequency on how often to scan for drivers, personal privacy, troubleshooting, and where to store the backups.
Scanning with Avast Driver Updater
You can scan for outdated or mismatched drivers in your Windows PC using Avast Driver Updater. However, it does not include development libraries and environments like MSV ++ Runtime, .Net, Oracle, Java, and more. The program is exclusive to drivers only. Also, Avast Driver Updater does not update the core basic drivers that are distributed within the operating system installations and updates, since your Windows update covers them.
The scan was pretty quick and detected 23 outdated drivers. It also shows the current version and release date of the drivers listed.
You can update each driver individually or select the drivers you want to update and clicks the “UPDATE SELECTED DRIVERS” button. It hardly took more than a few minutes to update all the drivers. However, it does not confirm the total download size. Still, we can assure that each driver surely takes less than 2 MB space.
A second scan soon after updating the current list showed no need for updates. I confirmed the same using Driver Booster thereafter.
Settings and Support
You can access essential settings regarding the program in the Menu. On the Settings tab you can view and configure the Language, Notifications, Personal privacy, Taskbar icon, Troubleshooting, and Backup Folder settings. We recommend turning off the automatic startup option since it is not significant. Instead, you can check for driver updates whenever required. Thus, it won’t run in the background and consume unnecessary processing power.
When we updated the USB driver, it took another 15 minutes for proper installation when we connected the USB first time. However, this problem does not occur after that. It is worth noting that each time you update the driver, you have to wait for the installation process when the hardware is connected.
Avast Driver Updater has distinguishable support for free users and those who bought the program. You can access the online forum with your queries. Possibly, some tech expert might have already solved your issue for a prior user. Also, you can opt for consumer support by getting a ticket if you are a paid user. Their support is quite kind and helpful. However, we liked the online community more.
Conclusion
Overall, Avast Driver Updater is a useful tool to check and update outdated drivers. Some users might expect more functionality from the program given you have to buy it separately, and it does not come in any bundle.
Yet, outdated drivers can pose a security risk, and updating them is no doubt a best practice. You can update the drivers manually too. However, that would take you at least 10X more time. We recommend using the program once a month for optimal performance.
Windows OS, 256 MB RAM, 400 MB free disk space, Internet connection, screen resolution 1024×768. These are the minimum requirements.
Avast Driver Updater scans PC to detect outdated drivers, updates all drivers in one click, and creates a backup for emergency situations.
No, Avast Driver Updater is not free. After the first installation, users get 15 days free trial of all the features. After that, the users need to purchase a yearly subscription plan to continue using the program.
Used it only once and it broke my pc…
Avast installed incompatible SATA drivers resulting in not being able to boot anymore !
How to fix ? Reinstall Windows and lose all of your data.
And of course they didn’t created a restore point before making the “update” like Driver Booster do so you’re screwed.
I recommand just not using this type of software, just do the Windows updates (they update important drivers) + install Nvidia/AMD drivers.
Result: I lost my evening to recover some of my data and reinstall Windows. I’m not using this sh*t anymore (any Avast software).
(And i’m a developper, not a newbie in computers so i know how to use Avast drivers updater.)
A developer.
Who can’t spell for SH*T.
Who needs AVAST to update his SATA drivers when he apparently has DB.
Who can’t think for himself and create a back-up of his drivers before letting a 3rd-party app loose on them.
Who for some reason recommands (sic) only using Windows updates for important updates (like SATA drivers…) but still himself uses AVAST (and DB), without creating a back-up.
*sniff* *sniff*
*sniff* *sniff*
Is it bear?
Is it cow?
NO – IT’S BULLSH*T!