What are drivers on Windows? Why, When and How to update them?

What Are Drivers On Windows?

We know that a PC has two components mainly that are Hardware and Software. Now we all know that what are hardware and software. But in short, I am explaining you these so that you can understand the best way you can. Hardware are the physical components that are used in a PC while software are those programs that are required to run these hardware components. Without software, a hardware is unable to perform any functions. These software which run the hardware are called Drivers. Drivers are the software which are required to run any hardware component. For example, A graphics card is a hardware component which is embedded in a computer. But to run this graphic card, a driver is required. Without any driver installed for a particular component, the particular component would be of no use then. So, now since you are using a mouse to browse the web, then this mouse is only been able to use because a driver for mouse has been installed on your PC. If you uninstall this driver then you cannot use your mouse. This is what a driver is and what is its function.

Why and When To Update Them?

Driver should be updated as the new version arrives. This is because any new version arrives has some bug fixes or new features that would improve your quality of using your PC. If your battery drains pretty fast and you have tried all the methods for saving it such as using battery saver, uninstalling unnecessary programs, but still the issue has not been fixed then there might be some issue with your BIOS driver. So, updating them would fix the issue of battery draining and may also improve your PC’s performance. Because in the new update there would be some fixes in the battery issue and other new features may also be available. So, that is why it is necessary to update the drivers. Mostly I do not recommend you to update your driver until you face some issues. But if want some good features or fixes then you are most welcomed to do so. I do not recommend you to update your driver because in most of the cases that I have faced is that the driver installation fails rarely and if you are not an IT expert then you should not do that until you have some support behind you. Because if installation fails, then your PC would have such problems that you may get frustrated.

So, I recommend you to update the driver only if you have some knowledge about it otherwise leave it as it is until you face some problems.

The Best Way To Update Drivers

1. Update Driver from PC manufacturer’s website:

Drivers should only be updated from official websites of your PC vendor. Never try to update the driver using sources such as some programs that are available on the web. For example, Software named Driver Updater etc. are all crap that may even make your PC even more worse than ever. They install the unofficial drivers from unknown sources.

I highly recommend you to go to your PC manufacturer, for example, Dell, HP, Lenovo and then go to drivers and downloads section under support section. Download the appropriate driver for your component and just install. It is nothing difficult but if would ask help from an official technician then it would be an easiest procedure. This is the most appropriate way to update the drivers. Another warning is that not to download drivers from your hardware’s vendor instead of going to your manufacturer’s website. I do not recommend you to download drivers from your hardware’s vendor website because the PC manufacturer actually modifies the driver according to compatibility to their motherboard chip. So, download driver from PC manufacturer’s website, eg. Dell, HP, Lenovo not from hardware manufacturer’s website, eg. Intel, Nvidia, AMD etc.

2.Update driver from Windows itself:

There is another one more trick to update your driver software and that is from Windows itself. This trick is not that great but could be tried in most of the cases. Drivers may automatically get updated through Windows update but if you want to force update your drivers then you can do it from Device Manager in Windows. Here is the step by step guide on How to update driver from Windows:

Step 1: Right click on start button on your Windows PC

Step 2: Go to Device Manager

Step 3: Click on the drop down menu for which type of driver software you want to update. Eg - Display adapters for Graphics card

Step 4: Right click on the hardware for which you want to update the driver.

Step 5: Click on update driver software

Step 6: Then click on 'Search online for driver software'

Now Windows will start searching for driver online and will start downloading and installing automatically.

Once the driver is updated, you'll get the following screen:

So, in this way you could update the drivers by Windows itself.

The Conclusion

Here is the article on What is Driver in Windows? Why and When to update them? & How to update them? This is what you need to know about the topic by reading the article as a beginner and can also be useful for an expert. The article provides you the right and best way and it is not through others sayings. I have written this article on my own experiences and the issue I have faced. So, to spread the awareness from my experience read this article and you will surely get the right way. If there is any issue or any correction or any problem then please do not hesitate to contact us.

#drivers #software #update