Device Drivers

What are Device Drivers?

Your computer is made up of an operating system, software, and various hardware devices such as keyboards, sound cards, memory, hard drives, and motherboards. In order for the operating system to understand each device and how to control it, information must be supplied. This information comes from the devices' manufacturers in the form of small programs called device drivers.

While your computer comes from the factory with all device drivers preinstalled, you'll inevitably add devices and need to install device drivers. For example, you may buy a new printer or a better sound card. In addition, you may want to hook up your digital camera to your PC. In some cases, Windows already has the required device drivers installed and will recognize the device once installed. In other cases, you will need to use the installation disk that came with the product. Either way, you should use updated drivers if available.

Why device drivers need to be updated

Device drivers need to be updated for a variety of reasons. In the example above, you should update device drivers to the latest version so that you get the benefits provided in the update. Problems are often discovered and fixed between the time when the product was manufactured and the time it arrives to your home or office. These repairs are released in updated device drivers and made available on manufacturer's Web sites. By updating the drivers before you experience problems, you will prevent known ones from occurring.

Likewise, if you are having problems with a device that the manufacturer has previously addressed, updating your device drivers will solve your current problem. Your device should begin functioning properly.

In addition to making repairs, manufacturers also regularly add new features or make other improvements to their devices. By updating your device drivers, your devices become even better than originally designed.

Where to find device drivers

Depending on your computer, you may be able to find all of the device drivers you need for your specific model computer at your computer manufacturer's Web site. This is one of the more convenient options because each model has specific device drivers which are listed by model. If you bought a Dell, Toshiba, eMachines, Gateway, HP, Compaq, or other major computer brand, your first stop should be the download and support section of your computer's manufacturer. If this option is available, you will simply find your product in the list and see if any new device drivers are available.

You can also go directly to the manufacturer Web site for each specific device that you need a driver for. If you just need one or two device drivers, this option is usually fine. But, if you are updating drivers for each device on your system, this option takes a great deal of time.

Windows Update is an automatic updating service that Microsoft provides to Windows users. If enabled, your computer will receive updates for the Windows operating system including select device drivers. This option doesn't necessarily provide you with the device drivers that you need.

Manage and update your device drivers "the easy way"

A better way to update your device drivers is to use a software program such as DriverCure. Instead of going through the hassle of visiting Web sites, searching for specific device drivers, downloading, and installing multiple drivers, let DriverCure automate the process.

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Drivers

Device Drivers

What are Device Drivers?

Why device drivers need to be updated

Where to find device drivers

Manage and update your device drivers "the easy way"