Update Drivers

Understanding your computer's needs

Computers are like cars in that they need regular tune-ups to perform their best. Regular maintenance ensures that your computer is efficient. Many computer users routinely run the defragment utility and clear out their temporary Internet files as part of their maintenance routines, but did you know that you should also tune-up your computer's hardware?

A few common sense steps in this regard involve cleaning the display screen; blowing out the dust from the vents using a can of compressed air; and removing, cleaning and reinstalling the trackball in the mouse. In addition, you should regularly update drivers.

Why it's important to update your device drivers

Why update drivers? Even computers that aren't having problems with hardware benefit from updates. This is because improvements and fixes are regularly included with each new version of device drivers. Device manufacturers update drivers for a variety of reasons. Often, the hardware is released to consumers after extensive testing. However, it is impossible to fully test every possible scenario. Once the product is in the real world, conflicts make themselves known. These conflicts, once discovered, are then fixed and released to consumers in the form of an updated driver.

In addition, as new technologies come into favor, device manufacturers may choose to update drivers to accommodate them. A good example involves new operating systems. If you have an older device, it won't automatically be compatible with a new operating system because the device came first. However, if the manufacturer updates drivers with support for the new operating system, then the updated device will work should the user upgrade to the new operating system.

How to update your drivers manually

You can update drivers several different ways with each having its pros and cons. Windows provides many popular driver updates through the Windows Update service. Set Windows Update up for automatic updates and much of this will take place in the background. Windows Update is found in the Control Panel. While this is convenient, it doesn't provide updated drivers for every possible device on the market. Many of your devices will not be updated.

Most computer manufacturers such as Dell, Gateway, HP, and Toshiba provide a one-stop location where you can update drivers specific to your model of computer. This is extremely convenient but does not take into account any hardware that you have added on your own. For example, if you have upgraded your sound card or installed an external hard drive, these devices will not be updated.

Going to the device manufacturer's Web site is the best way to update drivers direct from the source. When searching for and downloading drivers directly, you must first identify your device by looking it up in Device Manager. You must also know the exact version of your operating system along with its type (32-bit or 64-bit). Once you have found the proper device drivers for your hardware and operating system, you will need to compare versions to ensure that you are downloading a newer version. Finally, you must download and install the updated driver.

Once one device has been updated, you will need to repeat this process for each device on your computer.

Want an easier way to manage and update your device drivers?

If you aren't committed enough to go to dozens of different Web sites, download and install drivers, and repeat this process every month or so, consider using DriverCure instead. This product takes care of inventorying your devices, searching for updated drivers, comparing versions, and downloading and installing the right drivers for your entire computer. Not only can you easily update drivers, you can do so regularly with DriverCure.

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Drivers

Update Drivers

Understanding your computer's needs

How to update your drivers manually

Want an easier way to manage and update your device drivers?