Updating drivers on Windows 10 can feel like one of those chores that’s easier said than done. Sometimes you get the driver update prompt, click through, and hope for the best, but other times, nothing happens, or worse, the driver update messes things up. It’s quite common to wonder if there’s a better way or if you’re missing out on some hidden settings. Doing it correctly can really boost performance, fix bugs, or get new hardware working smoothly. But hey, it’s not always straightforward, and Windows isn’t exactly famous for making driver updates a breeze. So, here’s a more detailed, real-world approach, including some tips and tricks that might save you hours of frustration.
How to Update Drivers on Windows 10
Method 1: Using Device Manager — The most common way
This method is sorta the go-to for most folks because it’s built into Windows and kinda low-hanging fruit. You get to see what hardware Windows recognizes and can leapfrog to newer drivers if they exist. Helpful when hardware isn’t behaving, or if Windows Update isn’t catching the latest. Expect a quick check and possibly an automatic search for updates. Just remember, sometimes Windows doesn’t have the newest, just the one they think works best.
Why it helps: It’s quick, and if you’re lucky, Windows will find a better driver without much fuss. When it applies: Usually when hardware is acting up, or *you* know there’s a driver update out there. What to expect: A pop-up saying whether a new driver was found and installed or that the best driver is already installed. Sometimes, it doesn’t find the latest drivers — a reason to try manufacturer sites next.
Here’s how:
- Right-click on the Start button and select Device Manager. Or press Windows + X and choose it from there.
- Find your device — for most video issues, check Display adapters. If you’re troubleshooting network, go to Network adapters. Hardware categories can be a little daunting, but it’s usually clear enough.
- Right-click on the device and pick Update driver.
- Choose Search automatically for updated driver software.
- Let Windows do its thing. Expect a message telling you if the driver was updated or if it’s already current.
Pro tip: Sometimes, Windows will say “The best drivers are already installed, ” but you might still want to check the manufacturer’s website for newer versions, especially for graphics cards or gaming peripherals. Speaking of which, to get the absolute newest drivers, head straight to those sites: NVIDIA, AMD, Intel, etc.
Method 2: Downloading drivers directly from the factory site
Not sure why Windows doesn’t find the latest driver? Sometimes, hardware manufacturers release newer drivers on their official websites well before they show up in Windows Update. For some hardware—say, your GPU or motherboard—this makes a big difference. With this method, find the model number, visit the manufacturer site, and download the latest version. Remember, always pick the correct OS and bit version (like Windows 10 64-bit).
Why it helps: You get the newest, sometimes beta, drivers directly from the source. When to try: After Windows reports no updates but hardware still isn’t right or performance is lagging. What to expect: Usually a ZIP file or executable installer. Once installed, a restart might be required.
Quick steps:
- Go to the device manufacturer’s official website. Examples: NVIDIA Drivers, AMD Support.
- Search with your model number or browse their drivers section.
- Download the latest driver, then run the installer.
- Follow prompts, and if asked, choose a clean install or overwrite existing drivers.
- Reboot your PC to finalize the update.
Note: For some devices, you might need to dive into the device’s specific settings or download a dedicated utility from the manufacturer’s site. For instance, Intel’s chipset drivers or Dell’s custom drivers often come with their own updater apps.
Method 3: Using PowerShell or Command Line — When GUI isn’t enough
This isn’t the go-to for most, but if you’re into the command line, sometimes scripting driver updates can save some time—especially in bulk. You can use PowerShell commands like Update-Driver -Online (though this isn’t in native PowerShell, more in Device Management scripts), or invoke DISM or Windows Update CLI tools.
Why it helps: For automation or managing multiple machines. When to try: If you’re comfortable with command line tools and need a more controlled approach. Expect some trial and error, and yeah, it’s not as friendly as GUI.
Note: Be cautious—messing with drivers via command line can sometimes cause issues if not done carefully. Only try if comfortable with commands like pnputil or DISM.
Other tips to keep in mind
Always back up your current drivers before updating, just in case something goes sideways. You can do this through tools like DriverBackup! or manually export drivers via PowerShell. Also, consider creating a system restore point before big updates, especially if you’re updating critical hardware drivers. And yeah, check your manufacturer’s support pages from time to time; they often have tailored tools or instructions that Windows doesn’t mention.
In my experience, sometimes a simple restart after updating drivers has fixed issues, but in other cases, you might need to uninstall and reinstall a driver manually. Windows is kind of weird that way — always ready to surprise with another step.
Summary
- Open Device Manager via Start Button > Device Manager or Windows + X.
- Find the hardware you want to update, right-click, and choose Update driver.
- Select Search automatically for updated driver software.
- If necessary, grab drivers from official websites and install manually.
- Reboot and check if hardware acts better.
Wrap-up
All this may seem a bit overkill, but sometimes, digging a little deeper makes a big difference. Especially with issues like crashing graphics, Wi-Fi glitches, or weird device pop-ups, manually updating drivers can be the fix. Windows knows a lot, but it’s not always the fastest or most complete. Picking the right method depends on how stubborn your hardware is, or how much time you’re willing to spend.
Hopefully, this shaves off some hours or at least points you in the right direction. Because, let’s face it, nobody likes flaky drivers—they’re the root of many headaches. But with a bit of patience and the right approach, most of these problems aren’t that hard to fix. Good luck, and may your drivers be ever up-to-date!