Yeah, updating Windows 10 drivers is kind of a boring task but super important if you want your hardware to work properly and avoid weird glitches. Sometimes, devices just stop working correctly, or maybe some updates break things instead of fixing them—Windows can be unpredictable like that. The good news? Most of the time, just keeping drivers current can fix performance issues, fix bugs, or improve compatibility with new apps. It’s not rocket science, but if you’ve never really done it properly, you might get stuck or confused about where to look. So, here’s a straightforward way to get those drivers up-to-date, using built-in tools like Device Manager and Windows Update. Honestly, it’s worth doing every now and then—just to keep the system happy and running smooth.
How to Update Windows 10 Drivers
Find the device in Device Manager
First off, press Windows key + X and pick Device Manager from the menu. If it’s not showing up there, you can also search for “Device Manager” in the Start menu. This tool is kind of like the system’s control panel for hardware—it shows all your peripherals, internal components, and lets you manage their drivers. On some setups, it’s a bit flaky or slow, but most of the time it’s reliable.
Look for the device you wanna update—maybe it’s your graphics card under “Display adapters, ” or your Wi-Fi card under “Network adapters.” Right-click on that device, then choose Update driver.
Pick the search method — automatic or manual
The simplest way? Select “Search automatically for updated driver software.” This tells Windows to go online and hunt down the latest driver version. Usually, this does the trick—especially if your system is configured to get updates from Windows Update. Sometimes, just letting Windows do the work works fine, but if you want the latest version from the manufacturer, you’ll need to go to their website.
For the more tech-savvy: if you know the exact driver version you want or have downloaded one manually from the manufacturer, you can choose Browse my computer for driver software and point to the driver files. But honestly, that’s optional, unless the automatic search fails or you need a specific version.
Follow the prompts and restart
If Windows finds a new driver, it’ll prompt you to install it. Confirm and wait—sometimes, it takes a few seconds. After it’s done, a reboot is usually recommended. This step can be weird, but I swear, it’s like Windows needs to restart to really get it all in sync. Sometimes, the driver might not update properly on the first try, or the system reports it didn’t find anything. If that happens, try repeating the process or visit the device’s manufacturer site for the latest driver—like Nvidia, Intel, or AMD, for graphics, etc.
If updates don’t install properly, consider alternatives
Instead of relying only on Device Manager, sometimes updating via Windows Update (in Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update) can fetch newer drivers, especially for critical components like graphics cards. It’s kind of weird, but on some machines, the driver update from Windows Update can be more stable or newer than the one from Device Manager.
And if issues keep cropping up after an update, rolling back the driver might help. Just right-click the device, go to Properties > Driver tab, and click Roll Back Driver. Sometimes, a recent update causes problems, and going back to an older version actually restores stability.
Bonus: Use manufacturer tools for a thorough update
Finally, if you want to go the extra mile, some hardware companies offer their own tools—like Nvidia GeForce Experience or AMD Radeon Software—that check for driver updates and install them automatically. It’s kind of like giving your hardware an extra layer of attention. Not necessary, but sometimes it gets newer drivers faster or offers additional features.
After all this, your device should be happier and maybe even perform a bit better. Not sure why it works, but on some setups, the drivers are so out of date that just updating them once can clear up nasty lag or strange errors—makes the whole system feel more responsive.
Tips for Keeping Drivers Up to Date
- Check for updates regularly—once a month is not overkill.
- Visit the manufacturer’s website for critical or graphics drivers, especially if something isn’t working right.
- Back up current drivers before updating, just in case—Windows has a built-in backup feature or third-party tools like DriverBackup! can help.
- Avoid shady third-party drivers update software, because more often than not, they cause more headaches than they solve.
- Keep an eye on forums and news—sometimes drivers get bugs that are fixed in later updates.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why bother updating drivers in the first place?
Good question. Updated drivers improve hardware performance, fix bugs, and boost compatibility. Basically, they keep your system healthy and running smoother.
Will updating drivers fix my weird crashes or freezes?
Often, yes. Outdated drivers can cause all sorts of strange behavior, especially with graphics or network stuff. Updating them is usually the first step in troubleshooting.
Is automatic driver update safe?
Most of the time, yeah. Windows Update and Device Manager pull drivers from reliable sources. But, of course, sometimes a brand-new driver can introduce bugs—so if something goes bad after an update, rolling back is an option.
What if the driver refuses to update or breaks things?
Try reinstalling the driver—download it directly from the manufacturer and install it manually. Or, worst case, revert to a previous version from Device Manager.
Summary
- Open Device Manager
- Identify and right-click the device you want to update
- Select “Update driver”
- Choose automatic or manual update method
- Follow prompts and reboot if necessary
Wrap-up
Honestly, driver updates are kinda tedious but worth it—especially if your hardware is acting up or just feels sluggish. The built-in tools make it pretty straightforward, and while it’s not a perfect science, keeping drivers fresh shouldn’t be too complicated. Sometimes, a simple update can breathe new life into an old machine or fix stubborn bugs. Fingers crossed this helps someone get their system running smoother without too much fuss.