Driver Update Software Reviews

What is a Driver?

A driver is a set of instructions or computer codes that allows a computer to control a device that is connected to it. It allows a computer’s operating system such as Windows to communicate to a particular device such as a printer. Drivers exist because not all devices are readily supported by an operating system. Some devices are created way after an operating system has been released.

Why do I need to update my computer’s drivers?

Initially, an operating system will have a number of devices supported by way of generic drivers. When we say generic, it means that these drivers can support the basic functionalities of a certain device. Some devices however, are continuously improving. Later versions of devices are being built with advanced features. Although generic drivers can still support some new devices, these drivers are not able to allow the operating system to operate on the advanced features. This is why we need to update our drivers.

When do I need to update my drivers?
Update your drivers when you are in any of the following situations:

1. You bought a new device for your computer
2. You bought a new computer but you installed an old operating system (e.g. Windows XP on a 2010 model of a laptop)
3. You bought a computer with a few add-on devices such as printer or scanner, but no manufacturer CD included.
4. Your devices such as speaker, microphone, or mouse don’t work.
5. Your devices work, but not all features are available (e.g. not all volume controls are present in your speaker’s configuration)
6. You often encounter a blue screen once you try to use your devices
7. Your computer crashes when you use your devices
8. Your computer stopped working when you installed a driver

How do I get my device’s information?

We usually need a device’s manufacturer name and model number to be able to update its driver correctly. To do this, we can either look at the device itself to see if some of its labels include the name of the manufacturer and the model number, or we can use a Windows feature called Device Manager. To use Device Manager, do the following steps:

For Windows XP (A):

1. Right click on My Computer
2. Click on Properties
3. Click on Hardware Tab
4. Click on Device Manager Button
   1. This will pop out a window containing all devices used by your computer.
   2. Sometimes, an item may contain other sub-items. Just double click to expand.
   3. Choose a device and right click on it
   4. Select Properties
      1. It will show the necessary details of that device including the manufacturer, driver version, and model number

For Windows XP (B):

1. Click Start
2. Click Control Panel
3. Double Click on System Icon
4. Click on Hardware Tab
5. Click on Device Manager Button
   1. This will pop out a window containing all devices used by your computer.
   2. Sometimes, an item may contain other sub-items. Just double click to expand.
   3. Choose a device and right click on it
   4. Select Properties
      1. It will show the necessary details of that device including the manufacturer, driver version, and model number

For Windows 7:

1. Click Start
2. Click Control Panel
3. Click on System and Security
4. Click on Device Manager (Under the System item)
   1. This will pop out a window containing all devices used by your computer.
   2. Sometimes, an item may contain other sub-items. Just double click to expand.
   3. Choose a device and right click on it
   4. Select Properties
      1. It will show the necessary details of that device including the manufacturer, driver version, and model number

 

Installing a Driver Update

Windows can either update a driver automatically or you can browse for an update yourself. To manually browse for your driver update, do one of the following:

For Windows XP (A):

1. Right click on My Computer
2. Click on Properties
3. Click on Hardware Tab
4. Click on Device Manager Button
   1. This will pop out a window containing all devices used by your computer.
   2. Sometimes, an item may contain other sub-items. Just double click to expand.
   3. Choose a device and right click on it
   4. Select Properties
   5. Click on the Driver tab
   6. Click on Update Driver button
   7. Select Install from a list or specific location (Advanced)

10.  If you are not sure about the exact location of the driver, you can select “Search for the best driver in these locations” and specify the location where you downloaded your driver.

11.  If you are sure about the location of the driver, you can select “Don’t search. I will choose the driver to install.” Then click Next

12.  Click on Browse and locate the driver you downloaded, and click Open.

13.  It should then install the driver you specified.

For Windows XP (B):

1. Click Start
2. Click Control Panel
3. Double Click on System Icon
4. Click on Hardware Tab
5. Click on Device Manager Button
   1. This will pop out a window containing all devices used by your computer.
   2. Sometimes, an item may contain other sub-items. Just double click to expand.
   3. Choose a device and right click on it
   4. Select Properties
   5. Click on the Driver tab
   6. Click on Update Driver button

10.  Select Install from a list or specific location (Advanced)

11.  If you are not sure about the exact location of the driver, you can select “Search for the best driver in these locations” and specify the location where you downloaded your driver.

12.  If you are sure about the location of the driver, you can select “Don’t search. I will choose the driver to install.” Then click Next

13.  Click on Browse and locate the driver you downloaded, and click Open.

14.  It should then install the driver you specified.

For Windows 7:

1. Click Start
2. Click Control Panel
3. Click on System and Security
4. Click on Device Manager (Under the System item)
   1. This will pop out a window containing all devices used by your computer.
   2. Sometimes, an item may contain other sub-items. Just double click to expand.
   3. Choose a device and right click on it
   4. Select Properties
   5. Click on the Driver tab
   6. Click on Update Driver button
   7. Select Install from a list or specific location (Advanced)

10.  If you are not sure about the exact location of the driver, you can select “Search for the best driver in these locations” and specify the location where you downloaded your driver.

11.  If you are sure about the location of the driver, you can select “Don’t search. I will choose the driver to install.” Then click Next

12.  Click on Browse and locate the driver you downloaded, and click Open.

13.  It should then install the driver you specified.

What is a Driver Update Software?

A Driver Update Software is a computer application or program that helps you find drivers from your computer that are either defective or outdated. It also helps you find the right updates to your defective or outdated drivers. Some Driver Update Software can perform diagnostics on a computer’s hardware to determine whether a driver update needs to be executed or a hardware replacement is needed.