Update drivers through Windows Update or your device manufacturer

The fastest way to update most drivers is through Windows Update, which automatically finds and installs updates for hardware like your graphics card, network adapter, and chipset. On Windows 10 or 11, go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update (or Settings > System > About > Advanced Options on Windows 11), then click "Check for updates." Windows will read and install driver updates in the background, usually without requiring a restart.

For drivers that Windows Update misses — particularly graphics cards, sound cards, and network adapters — visit the manufacturer's website directly. NVIDIA, AMD, Intel, Realtek, and Qualcomm all host driver read pages where you can enter your exact hardware model and read the latest version. This method gives you more control and often includes performance improvements or bug fixes that haven't reached Windows Update yet.

Some manufacturers also provide their own software to manage updates. NVIDIA GeForce Experience, AMD Radeon Software, and Intel Driver & Support Assistant can check for new drivers automatically and install them with one click. These tools are optional — you can always update manually — but they save time if you have multiple devices or want notifications about new releases.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows Update finds and installs drivers for most hardware automatically, and you can check manually in Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update.
  • Graphics card, sound card, and network adapter drivers often update faster through the manufacturer's website than through Windows Update.
  • You can read drivers directly from NVIDIA, AMD, Intel, Realtek, or other manufacturers by entering your hardware model on their support page.
  • Restart your computer after installing drivers, especially for graphics or network hardware, so the changes take effect.
  • Outdated drivers can cause crashes, poor performance, or missing features, so checking for updates every few months prevents problems.

How to find your hardware model before downloading

Before you can read a driver from a manufacturer's website, you need to know exactly which device you have. Open Device Manager by right-clicking the Start button and selecting "Device Manager," then expand the category for your hardware — Graphics adapters, Sound, video and game controllers, or Network adapters. Right-click the device and select Properties, then look for the Model or Device name.

For graphics cards, the name usually includes the brand (NVIDIA GeForce, AMD Radeon) and the model number (RTX 4060, RX 7600). Write this down or take a screenshot, then go to the manufacturer's driver read page and paste it into their search box. The page will show you the latest driver version available for that exact model.

If you are unsure which manufacturer made your hardware, Device Manager shows the vendor name at the top of the Properties window. For network adapters, this might be Realtek, Intel, Broadcom, or Qualcomm. For sound cards, look for Realtek, Creative, or your motherboard manufacturer. Once you know the vendor and model, the manufacturer's website will have a support or downloads section where you can find the driver.

Installing drivers from a downloaded file

When you read a driver file from a manufacturer's website, you usually get either an .exe installer or a .zip folder. If it is an .exe file, double-click it and follow the on-screen prompts — the installer will handle the rest and typically ask you to restart when finished. If it is a .zip folder, extract it first by right-clicking and selecting "Extract All," then look for a setup.exe or install.exe file inside and run that.

During installation, you may see a User Account Control prompt asking for permission — click "Yes" to continue. Some drivers offer custom installation options; unless you have a specific reason to change them, accept the default settings. After installation completes, restart your computer so the driver loads properly. You will not see any notification that the driver is working — it runs in the background — but you may notice improved performance or new features becoming available.

If the installation fails or your computer becomes unstable after installing a driver, you can roll back to the previous version. Open Device Manager, right-click the device, select Properties, go to the Driver tab, and click "Roll Back Driver." This removes the new driver and restores the one you had before, which usually fixes the problem within seconds.

When to update drivers and what changes to expect

You do not need to update drivers the moment a new version appears. Most updates are optional and add minor improvements or fix bugs that may not affect you. However, if you are experiencing crashes, poor performance, or missing features — especially with graphics, sound, or network hardware — updating the driver is often the first thing to try. Graphics driver updates in particular can improve frame rates in games or fix compatibility problems with new software.

Check for driver updates every two to three months, or whenever you notice problems. For gaming or graphics-heavy work, graphics card manufacturers release updates more frequently, sometimes monthly. For network and sound drivers, updates are less frequent but still worth checking if you have connectivity or audio issues. Windows Update handles most of these automatically, so you only need to manually check if you want the latest version when ready.

After updating a driver, you may notice changes in performance, new settings in the device's control panel, or improved stability. Some updates are invisible — they fix background problems you never saw. If an update causes problems instead of fixing them, the roll-back option in Device Manager will undo it quickly.

Updating drivers on older computers or unsupported hardware

If your computer is several years old, the manufacturer may no longer release drivers for your hardware. Windows Update will still provide basic drivers that keep the device working, but you will not get the latest features or performance improvements. Check the manufacturer's website anyway — sometimes older hardware has a final driver release that is still available for read, even if new versions are no longer coming.

For very old graphics cards or network adapters, the manufacturer's website may not have a read page anymore. In this case, Windows Update is your only option, and the built-in driver will be sufficient for basic use. If the device is not working at all, you may need to replace it with newer hardware that the manufacturer still supports.

Some older computers run Windows 7 or earlier versions. Driver availability for these systems is limited, and many manufacturers have stopped releasing updates. If you are using an older operating system, updating drivers becomes less important because the hardware and software are matched to that system's age. However, if you upgrade to Windows 10 or 11, you will need to update drivers for your hardware to work properly with the new operating system.

Troubleshooting driver problems

If a device stops working or shows a yellow exclamation mark in Device Manager, the driver may be corrupted or missing. Right-click the device and select "Update driver," then choose "Search automatically for updated driver software." Windows will search for the latest version online and install it. If that does not work, uninstall the driver by right-clicking and selecting "Uninstall device," then restart your computer. Windows will reinstall a basic driver automatically on startup.

If a device works but performs poorly — slow internet, choppy graphics, or audio lag — an outdated driver is often the cause. Update to the latest version from the manufacturer's website, restart, and test again. If the problem persists, check the device's control panel for settings that might be limiting performance. Graphics drivers often have power-saving modes that reduce frame rates; sound drivers may have enhancements that cause lag.

If updating a driver causes problems instead of solving them, use the roll-back option when ready. Open Device Manager, right-click the device, select Properties, go to the Driver tab, and click "Roll Back Driver." This restores the previous version within seconds. If roll-back is not available, uninstall the driver and let Windows reinstall the older version automatically.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to restart my computer after updating a driver?

Most driver updates require a restart to take effect, especially for graphics, sound, and network hardware. Windows will usually prompt you to restart when the installation finishes. If you do not restart, the new driver may not load properly and the device could behave unexpectedly. Restart as soon as the installation completes.

What is the difference between Windows Update drivers and manufacturer drivers?

Windows Update provides basic drivers that keep your hardware working with Windows. Manufacturer drivers are often newer and include performance improvements, bug fixes, and new features. For graphics cards and sound devices, the manufacturer's driver is usually better. For older or less common hardware, Windows Update may be your only option.

Can updating a driver break my computer?

Rarely. Most driver updates are tested before release and improve stability. If an update does cause problems, you can roll back to the previous version in Device Manager within seconds. Keep your important files backed up anyway, as a precaution with any system change.

How do I know if a driver update is available?

Windows Update checks automatically and notifies you when updates are ready. You can also check manually in Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update. For specific devices, visit the manufacturer's website and search for your hardware model — the read page will show the latest version and your current version.

What if I cannot find a driver for my hardware?

If the manufacturer no longer makes the device, Windows Update may still have a basic driver that keeps it working. Search the manufacturer's website one more time with the exact model number. If nothing appears, the hardware may be too old to support your current Windows version, and you may need to replace it.