How to Update Drivers in Windows: 3 Proven Methods

Introduction / Why This Is Needed

Outdated or corrupted drivers are one of the most common causes of unstable Windows operation: freezes, Blue Screens of Death (BSOD), lack of sound, network issues, or peripheral problems. Regularly updating drivers for key components (chipset, graphics card, network adapter) maintains system performance and compatibility with new software. This guide will help you safely update drivers in Windows 10 and 11 using three proven methods.

Requirements / Preparation

• Administrator privileges: Installing drivers requires administrator rights. Ensure you are logged in with an account that has these rights.
• Stable internet connection: For downloading drivers.
• System Restore point (mandatory): Before installing a new driver, create a System Restore point. This allows you to roll back changes if something goes wrong.
  • Press Win + S, type Create a restore point, select your system drive, and click Create.
• Device model: Identify the exact model of your laptop/desktop (e.g., Dell XPS 15 9520) or motherboard. This is necessary to find the correct drivers on the manufacturer's website.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Identifying the Device and Current Driver

Before searching for an update, find out which driver version is currently installed.

1. Open Device Manager. The quickest way: press Win + X and select Device Manager from the menu.
2. Find the relevant device category (e.g., Display adapters, Network adapters, Sound, video and game controllers).
3. Right-click the target device and select Properties.
4. Go to the Driver tab and click the Driver Details button.
5. From the dropdown list, select Driver Version. Note this number (e.g., 31.0.101.5186). Also, check the Driver Provider field (e.g., NVIDIA or Advanced Micro Devices).

This information helps you determine if the installed driver is outdated and accurately find the correct version on the manufacturer's website.

Step 2: Method 1 — Automatic Search via Device Manager

This is the simplest method, which uses the Microsoft driver catalog.

1. In Device Manager, right-click the target device.
2. Select Update driver.
3. In the window that opens, click Search automatically for drivers.
4. Windows will check its servers and, if a suitable driver is found, will offer to install it.

⚠️ Important: This method often finds only basic or slightly newer drivers that have passed Microsoft certification. The latest versions for gaming graphics cards or complex chipsets usually do not come through it.

Step 3: Method 2 — Manual Installation from the Manufacturer's Official Website

This is the most reliable and recommended method for obtaining the latest and most stable drivers.

1. Find the support site. Open your browser and go to the official website of your computer/laptop manufacturer (Dell, HP, Lenovo, ASUS, Acer, etc.) or component manufacturer (NVIDIA, AMD, Intel, Realtek).
2. Locate the support section. It is usually called Support, Drivers & Support, or Download Center.
3. Enter your model. Use the search bar or select your laptop/desktop series. For accuracy, enter the full model name (found on a sticker on the case or in documentation).
4. Select your operating system. Specify your Windows version (e.g., Windows 11 64-bit).
5. Find the required driver. In the driver list, locate the category corresponding to your device (e.g., Video, Network, Audio). Pay attention to the release date and version number.
6. Download and install. Download the installation file (usually .exe). Run it as an administrator and follow the on-screen instructions. After the program finishes, restart your computer.

Step 4: Method 3 — Using Vendor-Specific Utilities (Optional)

Some manufacturers provide their own programs for automatic driver management.

• For NVIDIA graphics cards: Install the NVIDIA GeForce Experience app from the official NVIDIA website. In the Drivers section, you can download and install the latest Game Ready drivers.
• For AMD graphics cards: Use the AMD Software: Adrenalin Edition program, which comes with drivers or is available on the AMD website.
• For Intel components: The integrated Intel Driver & Support Assistant (formerly Intel Driver Update Utility) can help with chipset, graphics, and network drivers.

💡 Tip: Use these utilities only to update drivers from the corresponding manufacturer. Do not trust third-party programs that promise to "update all drivers with one click"—they often bundle unwanted software or offer paid versions.

Verifying the Result

1. After restarting, open Device Manager.
2. Again, open Properties for the updated device → Driver tab.
3. Confirm that the Driver Version has changed to the version you installed.
4. Test the device's functionality. For example, check sound, network connection, display output, or printer operation. Ensure the system is stable and not producing blue screens.

Potential Issues

• Driver installation error (code 0x... or "Failed to install driver"):
  • Solution: Download the driver that matches your system's architecture (usually 64-bit) and exact Windows version. Try running the installer in Compatibility Mode (right-click the file → Properties → Compatibility). If it's a permissions issue, run the installer as an administrator.
• Blue Screen (BSOD) appears after driver update:
  • Solution: Boot into Safe Mode (hold Shift while clicking Restart in the Start menu → Troubleshoot → Advanced options → Startup Settings → Restart → press F4). In Safe Mode, open Device Manager, locate the problematic device, and perform Roll Back Driver. If that fails, perform a System Restore from a point created before the update.
• Device is not detected or works incorrectly after update:
  • Solution: Ensure you downloaded the driver for your specific model and OS version. Try completely uninstalling the current driver using the Display Driver Uninstaller (DDU) utility for graphics cards, or via Programs and Features for other devices, then reinstall.
• Windows Update overwrites my driver with an older version:
  • Solution: This can happen due to update policies. After manually installing the manufacturer's driver, open Control Panel → System and Security → Windows Update → Change settings. Under Optional updates, uncheck any option related to driver updates if available.