How to update Windows Drivers: The Ultimate Guide

Are you having trouble with your PC components? Is your computer running slowly or crashing more often than it used to? If so, it might be time to update Windows drivers.

Drivers are one of the most important elements of a Windows computer. They serve as a link between the computer’s hardware components and the operating system. Clearly, to get the most out of your PC and keep it optimized, you should keep your system drivers up to date with the newest versions.

In this guide, we will walk you through the process of how to update drivers in Windows 10 and 11. We will cover everything from finding the right drivers to installing them correctly.

So, whether you are a beginner or a pro, you will be able to get your drivers updated in no time.

Why is it important to update Windows drivers?

As mentioned in the introduction, drivers are an integral part of the PC. So, it is pretty important that they are regularly updated with the latest version. Here are other reasons to update Windows drivers:

• One of the main reasons to keep drivers up to date is to enjoy better performance. Newer driver versions are often created with optimization in mind. So, by updating your drivers, you can potentially see a significant boost in speed and stability.
• Additionally, updates usually fix any existing bugs or glitches. So, if you have been having issues with your PC, updating drivers could help resolve them.
• In some cases, you might also need to update drivers to be able to use certain features or programs. For example, if you want to play the latest games, you will need to have updated graphics drivers.
• Similarly, new versions of software or operating systems might require updates to certain drivers. So, if you want to be able to use all the features of your computer, you should keep your drivers up to date.
• Finally, another important reason to update drivers is security. Just like any other software, drivers can be vulnerable to security threats. By keeping them up to date, you can help protect your computer from potential attacks.

When to check for Driver Updates on Windows?

Now that we have looked at the importance of updating Windows drivers, you might be wondering when is the best time to check for updates.

Ideally, you should check for driver updates on a regular basis. This way, you can be sure that your computer always has the latest security patches and performance improvements.

That said, there are certain times when you must check for Windows drivers update at any cost:

• When facing issues with your PC: If you are experiencing problems with your PC, it is a good idea to check for driver updates.
• After adding new hardware: Similarly, if you install a new program or piece of hardware, you should check for driver updates. This way, you can be sure that everything will work smoothly.
• When upgrading your operating system: Whenever you upgrade to a new version of Windows, you should also update your drivers. This is especially important if you are planning to switch from an older version (like Windows XP) to a newer one (like Windows 10 or 11)
• When you purchase a new device: Finally if you have just bought a new device, it is a good idea to check for driver updates. This way, you can be sure that you are using the most recent drivers.

So, those are some of the main reasons to update your Windows drivers. Now let’s take a look at how you can actually do it.

How to Manually Update Drivers in Windows 11?

There are different ways to update a driver on Windows 11 PC. We will discuss each of them.

Update Windows 11 Drivers through Windows Updates

Starting with Windows 10, Microsoft began to release driver updates through Windows updates. As a result, you must update Windows 11 in order to keep up with the most recent drivers.

Update Drivers in Windows 11 through Device Manager

The most popular technique for Windows users to keep their drivers up to date is through the Device Manager. The Control Panel’s built-in component, Device Manager, allows you to update, install, and uninstall device drivers.

To update Windows 11 drivers using Device Manager, do the following:

1. Right-click on the Start button and select Device Manager from the drop-down menu.
2. The Device Manager window will pop up, displaying all of the drivers that have been installed.
3. From the Device Manager, right-click on the device component you wish to update and select Update Driver from the list.
4. Select the Search automatically for drivers option on the next window if you don’t have the most recent drivers installer on your PC.
5. If you want to manually update the drivers, go to the manufacturer’s website and obtain the most recent version. Save the downloaded drivers on your system hard disk.
6. Select Browse my computer for drivers to update the driver manually.
7. Restart the system to make the changes effective.

Update Windows 11 Drivers through Windows Optional Updates

Under Windows Optional Updates, you could find some driver updates. Follow these steps to install drivers through Optional Updaters:

1. Go to Settings -> Windows Update.
2. Under Windows Update, click on Advanced Options.
3. Scroll down and under Additional options, select Optional updates.
4. Expand the Driver updates option, and then select the driver you wish to install. After that, click Download and install.
5. Reboot the system after installation.

How to Manually Update Drivers in Windows 10?

Like Windows 11, you can update Windows 10 similarly. There are different ways to do that. We will discuss all these ways.

Update Windows 10 Drivers through Windows Updates

1. Open Windows 10 settings.
2. Click on the Update & Security option.
3. On the left pane, select the Windows Update tab and then click Check for updates on the right.
4. Click on Install now after the latest updates have finished downloading.
5. Finally, restart the device.

Update Drivers in Windows 10 through Device Manager

The most popular technique for Windows users to keep their drivers up to date is through the Device Manager. The Control Panel’s built-in component, Device Manager, allows you to update, install, and uninstall device drivers.

To update Windows 10 drivers using Device Manager, do the following:

1. Right-click on the Start button and select Device Manager from drop-down menu.
2. The Device Manager window will pop up, displaying all of the drivers that have been installed.
3. From the Device Manager, right-click on the device component you wish to update and select Update Driver from the list.
4. Select the Search automatically for drivers option on the next window if you don’t have the most recent drivers installer on your PC.
5. If you want to manually update the drivers, go to the manufacturer’s website and obtain the most recent version. Save the downloaded drivers on your system hard disk.
6. Select Browse my computer for drivers to update the driver manually.
7. Restart the system to make the changes effective.

Update Windows 10 Drivers through Windows Optional Updates

Under Windows Optional Updates, you could find some driver updates. Follow these steps to install drivers through Optional Updaters:

1. Go to Settings -> Windows Update.
2. Under Windows Update, click on View all optional updates.
3. Expand the Driver updates option, and then select the driver you wish to install. After that, click Download and install.
4. Reboot the system after installation.

Update Drivers using Third-Party Programs

If you want a hassle-free experience of updating drivers, then you can use third-party programs. These programs will scan your system for outdated or missing drivers and then update them with just a few clicks.

Here are a few best driver updater programs:

Driver Booster

Driver Booster is the best updater software on our list. It is designed to automatically detect the missing or outdated drivers from the Windows system. With 3 Million+ drivers on its database, you are assured to find the rarest driver and fix any compatibility issue.

Driver Booster 7 PRO is safe and designed to detect outdated, missing, and faulty drivers and update them all in a single click.

Once you get the PRO version using the Driver Booster key, it unlocks the following features:

• Fast Scanning and downloading: Within a few seconds, it can scan the entire PC for missing, broken, or outdated drivers and start downloading/installing them.
• One-Click Update: Can update all the drivers in a single click.
• Enhance the Performance: It can highly magnify the performance of the system, by finding out the broken drivers and repairing them.
• Backup & Restore: It lets you back up all the system drivers and restore them after you format the PC.

Avast Driver Updater

Avast is popularly known for its security programs. However, it also provides many PC optimization tools; one of those is Avast Driver Updater. 

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. It comes with a trial period of 15 days on the first installation.

Final Words

Windows drivers need to be kept up-to-date in order to ensure optimal system performance. You can update your Windows drivers manually or through Windows Updates. You can also use the Device Manager to update drivers. Additionally, you can update system drivers using third-party driver updater programs. Make sure to restart your device after any driver updates have been installed.

We hope this guide was helpful in updating your Windows drivers. If you have any questions or suggestions, please feel free to leave us a comment down below.