To maintain normal operation of your computer, you need to update drivers from time to time, but searching for and installing them manually is tedious and time-consuming. And why? After all, this work is easy to automate. Today we'll look at ten best programs to update drivers on PCs and laptops of any brands and models.
Intel Driver Update Utility Installer is a proprietary utility for searching and updating drivers for any Intel product (processors, system logic, network devices, drives, server components and other things). Compatible with Windows XP, 7, and newer editions of this system.
The utility automatically recognizes the PC hardware on which it is installed. Checking for new driver versions on the Intel website is done by clicking the “Search” button, downloading and installing at the user’s discretion.
In addition, the Intel Driver Update Utility Installer allows you to find and download drivers for any other Intel devices you choose from the list (“Search manually” option).
The developers warn that the application installs only standard drivers that do not take into account the characteristics of a particular brand of computer. Therefore, before you launch it, you should visit the website of the manufacturer of your PC or laptop and check if there is anything suitable there.
AMD Driver Autodetect
AMD Driver Autodetect is a similar proprietary tool from AMD. Designed to keep drivers for video cards of this brand up to date (except AMD FirePro).
After installation, the utility will monitor the relevance of video drivers and ensure they are updated in a timely manner. It automatically detects the model of the video card installed on the PC, as well as the bit depth and version of the operating system. Once launched, it checks to see if there is a new driver on the AMD website. If there is one, it reports it and offers to download it. To begin the installation, the user just needs to confirm his consent by clicking on the “Install” button.
AMD Driver Autodetect is also available exclusively in Windows version.
NVIDIA Update
NVIDIA Update is a proprietary Windows utility for installing drivers on NVIDIA devices. Like AMD Driver Autodetect, it independently recognizes hardware models and checks for the availability of the latest driver on the manufacturer's website. The decision about installation remains with the user.
DriverPack Solution
DriverPack Solution is a lifesaver for service engineers, system administrators and those who earn extra money by providing services Windows installation and programs. The application is a huge collection of drivers for devices of various brands and models, as well as a module for installing them.
DriverPack Solution released in two versions - online and offline.
- The online distribution is intended for use on a PC that has an Internet connection. Its difference is its small file size (285 Kb). After launch, the program scans Windows for installed drivers and the relevance of their versions, after which it connects to the database (on its own server) and produces automatic update.
- The offline distribution (size 10.2 Gb) is intended for installing drivers on a machine not connected to the Internet. In addition to the installer, it includes a database of 960,000 drivers for Windows 7, XP, Vista, 8 (8.1) and 10, both 32 bit and 64 bit. After launch, the scanning module recognizes device types and installs drivers from its own offline database.
The online version of DriverPack Solution is convenient for permanent home use. In addition to monitoring the relevance of drivers, it gives the user the opportunity to automatically install and update individual applications, remove software junk, view a list of equipment, information about the operating system and computer security.
The offline version is an emergency solution. Its task is to select not the best, but simply the appropriate driver to start the device. And in the future update it via the Internet.
DriverPack Solution and the proprietary utilities listed above are completely free.
Driver Genius
Driver Genius is a universal driver management tool. The latest edition of the program is the sixteenth, optimized for Windows 8 and 10, but can also run on older systems.
In addition to updating the versions of installed drivers, Driver Genius can:
- Create backup copies of drivers and save them in the form of archives - regular and self-extracting, as well as in the form of an installer program (exe). To restore from a backup, you do not need to use Driver Genius.
- Remove unused and faulty drivers.
- Display information about computer hardware.
The backup function is a real treasure for those who often reinstall Windows. However, the program itself is not a gift: the cost of one license is $29.95. You can use it for free for only 30 days.
Snappy Driver Installer
Snappy Driver Installer is an application created by one of the developers of DriverPack Solution and has a lot in common with the latter. Also available in two versions: SDI Lite and SDI Full.
- The SDI Lite option is a module for recognizing devices and searching for suitable drivers on the Internet. Its size is 3.6 Mb. It does not have its own base.
- The SDI Full option is an installation module plus a base (31.6 Gb). Designed to install drivers regardless of Internet access.
Features of Snappy Driver Installer:
- Works without installation (portable version only, can be run from a flash drive or DVD).
- Completely free - no premium features or ads.
- With an improved selection algorithm, which is based on the “do no harm” principle.
- Is different high speed scanning.
- Before installing the driver, it creates a system restore point.
- Allows you to change design themes according to the user's choice.
- Multilingual (there is a version in Russian, Ukrainian and other national languages).
- Adapted for Windows 10.
Driver Booster
iObit Driver Booster is a fan-favorite app computer games. It is produced in editions Free - free, and Pro - paid. The cost of subscription to the latter is 590 rubles per year.
Driver Booster has one single function - scanning the system for outdated drivers and installing updates in one click. And not simple updates, but (according to the developers) tuned to improve the performance of games.
is a free and very simple utility for installing and updating PC drivers based on Windows 7, 8 and 10. Its database includes only original, signed drivers from the official websites of equipment manufacturers.
The application is designed for users with no experience. Russian language support, a minimum of settings and one-button control virtually eliminate the possibility of something being confused or broken. And if new driver turns out to be unsuitable, DriverHub will remove it from the system and return the old one to its place.
All DriverHub features:
- Search for missing ones, update outdated drivers and additional software. Automatic installation.
- Simple and expert operating mode. In expert mode, the user can select a driver from several available ones; in simple mode, the program itself selects the optimal version.
- Daily updating of the driver database.
- Storing download history.
- Recovery - rollback drivers to previous versions.
- Displays basic information about your computer.
- Launch system utilities Windows from its interface.
DriverMax Free
DriverMax is a free, simple, English-language utility whose main purpose is to update drivers. Unlike others free applications it contains another useful option - creating a system rollback point and backup of installed drivers of the user's choice. As well as restoring from a backup.
After installation, DriverMax persistently reminds you that it would be a good idea to register on the site and buy a paid license with advanced functions, one of which is fully automatic operation. Annual use starts at $10.39.
Driver Magician
Driver Magician is the last hero of today's review. In the recent past, I had 2 versions, one of which was free. Nowadays there is only a paid one left with a 13-day trial period. The license cost is $29.95.
There is no Russian language in Driver Magician, but it is not difficult to use. The range of features is approximately the same as in Driver Genius:
- Scan and update.
- Creation backup copies drivers with the ability to restore both with and without the use of a program (the backup is saved as a zip archive or an installer application).
- Uninstalling the driver.
- Backing up and restoring individual user folders - Favorites Internet Explorer, Desktop and Documents, and - system registry(one file).
- Identification of devices unknown to the system.
During the trial period, the program is fully functional. Compatible with any version of Windows.
That's probably all. Choose what you like best and use it.
Hello dear reader! The topic of today's article will be drivers. We will understand the very concept of what a driver is, their purpose, and also learn about how to install the driver.
Let's start with the concept of a driver - this is special program, through which the operating system can control any device. It is necessary for every computer device (both external and internal).
Not all equipment requires installation that requires user intervention. This happens because the operating system has a built-in set of drivers for the most popular devices, when connecting which you only need to wait a while before starting work.
To check whether the driver for a device is installed, you can use the Windows Device Manager. To open it, you need to right-click on “My Computer” and select the “Properties” menu.
If you have Windows 7, then on the left click “Advanced options”, a window will open in which go to the “Hardware” tab and click on the “Device Manager” button.
If you have Windows XP installed, then when you click on “Properties”, a window will open where you need to go to the “Hardware” - “Device Manager” tab.
If there are no items in the list that have yellow question marks or exclamation marks in a yellow circle next to them, you can assume that all necessary drivers. Otherwise, you do not have any driver installed or there is a device conflict.
So, we figured out what a driver is.
Now let's talk about the pressing problem, the lack of the necessary driver on the computer, where you can get it and how to install it.
Driver installation procedure
Driver installation typically occurs through two methods: an executable file (.exe) and an installation information file (.inf).In the first case, installation comes down to running the file and answering the installer’s questions. The installation program itself will find the device for which the driver is being installed or will report its absence if it was not launched. correct file. For most devices, driver installation is not possible unless it is connected to the computer.
With this installation method ( exe) additional components are often installed along with the driver. Sometimes the user is asked if these add-ons are needed, and sometimes they are installed automatically, without notification. These can be various support centers reporting the status of the printer and offering to buy Consumables or utilities for more detailed settings devices.
Additional programs that are installed with drivers play a supporting role, but are not responsible for the performance of the device. Such components can be convenient and useful, or they can get in the way. If, after installing the driver, you find new programs and they do not bring any benefit at all, you can safely remove them.
When installing from a file. inf You must first run the Driver Update Wizard to specific device. To do this you need to click right key mouse on line with unknown device, and in the manager select the menu item “Update driver” (in Windows XP) or “Update drivers” (in Windows 7).
You can also wait until Windows detects the new device when you boot your computer and starts the installation wizard. In the window that appears, you will need to stop searching for a driver on the Internet and click “Next”.
At the next stage, you can leave the switch on “Automatic” or “ Automatic search updated drivers”, in this case you will have to wait quite a long time, so it is better to select the “Install from a specified location” or “Search for a driver on this computer” checkbox.
In this case, you will need to specify the path to the folder in which the file with driver installation information is located. The installation wizard will scan the folder or all removable media and select the appropriate file for the device. If you select "Search on" in Windows XP removable media"The procedure will take a little longer than when specifying a specific folder. With this method, only the driver itself will be installed without any additional components.
During installation, a message may appear stating that “The driver is not digitally signed.” The digital signature of the driver is a guarantee that you are dealing with an original product that has been tested for compatibility with the OS.
“Originality” means that the file has not been modified by anyone except the equipment manufacturer itself. If the file is received from a reliable source (the disk supplied with the equipment or the manufacturer’s official website), then you can agree to install without a signature, otherwise it is advisable to refuse the installation and look for a reliable driver.
There are also often times when Windows displays a message stating that the driver has not been tested for your Windows versions. See below for what the message looks like. If you are sure that the driver you are installing is suitable for your system, then click “Continue Anyway”.
During the driver installation process, the system may issue a security warning, do not worry and click “Install this driver anyway.” See below for what the error looks like.
Where to find drivers
The easiest and most reliable way to find suitable driver- use the disk that comes with the equipment. They usually have two installation methods. That is, there are both inf and exe files. In addition, autorun has a convenient menu that is easy to navigate and select the desired component.
After clicking on the menu, the autorun program will launch itself required file drivers. The presence of .inf files also makes it possible to use the update wizard Windows drivers, specifying as the search location optical disk. In such disks, there is a button “Install all”.
This installation source may not work for several simple reasons: the disk was not included with the equipment, it is lost or has become unusable, it is also possible that the disk does not contain drivers for your operating system (for example, the printer was purchased in Windows times XP, and you switched to Windows 7).
If there is no disk, you will have to go to the manufacturer’s website. To find the required driver on the website, you need to navigate by the words: “Download”, “Support”, “Driver”.
Once in the desired section, select the device category (video card, sound, etc.), and then the model from the list (or manually enter it in the search field), and the operating system in which the device will operate.
Let me remind you that you can find out the name of the OS in the system properties - “Win” + “Pause Break” or right-click on “My Computer” and select “Properties”.
If we talk about laptops, we should remember that the same model may have different modifications; accordingly, some components may be missing or, on the contrary, added to the kit, a discrete card, for example. Therefore, you don’t need to download everything from the page with drivers for your computer.
There is also another source of drivers, jokingly called a “secret weapon” by experts. This tool received such a loud name because it is capable of installing a driver on almost any modern device and installation usually takes place within 5-10 minutes.
We are talking about the driver installation manager. This is a program that has a large collection of drivers for almost all current devices in one program.
It can be downloaded from the Internet. The most popular, but not the only one of its kind, is Driver program Pack Solution. Once launched it may ask you to download fresh drivers, then it will scan the system (this will take some time) and display a message about how many drivers need to be installed and how many need to be updated. After that, you just need to click a button that will start the installation process.
In order to see the list of devices for which the program intends to install drivers, you need to check the “Expert Mode” checkbox on the left side of the window. In this case, you will be able to choose which drivers you want to install and which not.
There is, of course, another way to find a driver - use Google or another search engine and download it from the so-called Vareznik sites. But it is not advisable to use this method, since you can easily run into a malicious program.
The administration of such sites usually disclaims all responsibility for the content posted; in addition, information on them can be added by ordinary users without additional verification.
Of course, there are resources that have been tested over many years from which you can download without fear. Still, you should understand that no one is immune, and even with drivers found on reliable sites, problems can arise.
See you soon!
P.S. I found a video for you where you can see clearly how to install the driver through the device manager.
Drivers are special intermediary programs that establish interaction between the operating system and computer hardware. If the driver is outdated or missing, then the PC component for which it is responsible may not work correctly or not work at all. This explains why your computer should always have up-to-date drivers.
The DriverPack service automates the process of installing and updating drivers for Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, 8.1 and 10. It can save your time and nerves: the entire installation and configuration process fits into a few simple steps.
DriverPack offers different options for downloading drivers. Which one to choose depends on whether the Internet is working or not.
How to install drivers on Windows with an active Internet connection
If the computer on which you want to install drivers is already connected to the Internet, then the procedure will be very simple.
Open the DriverPack Solution website and download the DriverPack Online utility. She will find it on the Internet herself. necessary drivers, will download them and install them on your .
Temporarily disable your antivirus so that it does not interfere, and run the downloaded file. In the running program, click on “Expert Mode” - the inscription at the bottom of the window.
Open the “Software” tab and uncheck the boxes next to unnecessary applications. If you do not do this, DriverPack Online will install Yandex Browser, Opera and other programs that you may not need along with the drivers.
Go to the "Drivers" tab and click on "Install All".
Wait for the installation to complete and restart your computer. After rebooting, all necessary drivers should be installed.
How to install drivers if there are problems with the Internet
If the computer on which you need to install drivers cannot connect to the Network (which often happens after Windows reinstallation), there must be a problem with the drivers network equipment. In this case, you can download them separately using a spare PC to copy and install on the main one. After this, the Internet on your computer should work, so you can install the remaining drivers online.
So, go to the DriverPack Solution website using any suitable device and download the DriverPack Network archive. It contains the drivers necessary for the operation of network equipment and a program for their automatic installation.
Copy the archive to the computer where you want to install new drivers and unzip it. Disable the antivirus and run the DriverPack.exe file that was in the archive.
In the window running program Click on "Expert Mode".
Once on the “Drivers” tab, click on “Install all”.
Wait for the installation to complete and restart your computer. After the reboot, the Internet should work, and you can install the remaining drivers according to the instructions from the first paragraph of the article.
A computer is a machine that raises many questions for new users. Therefore, today we’ll talk about how to install drivers on Windows 7. Every user should be aware of this procedure. Otherwise, he will have certain problems connecting various equipment to the computer. What should you pay attention to? How to reinstall or initially install drivers in the operating system? All this will be discussed further below.
Driver is...
First, you need to understand what kind of software we are talking about. After all, it is possible that the user will not need the software being studied.
In fact, drivers are extremely important components. This is a kind of software package that helps determine this or that connected equipment in the operating system. Without a driver, not a single component of the PC will work properly. Or it simply is not recognized. Therefore, it is important to know how to install drivers on your computer on Windows 7.
What is there on
Some people are interested in what equipment they will encounter when connecting to the software they are studying. This is normal. After all, as a rule, some computer components work without a driver initially. Although not entirely correct.
In general, if a user is thinking about how to install a Windows 7 device driver, it is necessary to realize that this procedure is important for any equipment. Without the appropriate software package, the component is not recognized by the operating system.
Most often you have to work with drivers:
- sound card;
- video cards;
- random access memory;
- removable media (like flash cards);
- mice;
- keyboards;
- joysticks;
- web cameras;
- microphones;
- headsets;
- printers and scanners.
In general, if you plan to connect any equipment, it will require the software you are studying. How to install drivers on Windows 7? What does that require? What difficulties can you encounter during the procedure?
Automatic detection
In Windows 7, users received a unique ability to automatically search for drivers on their computer. This means that a piece of equipment will not require additional manipulations to determine the connected component.
How to act in such a case? How to install drivers automatically on Windows 7? You can consider the situation using the example of memory cards or removable media. It is this equipment that usually does not require additional actions.
In order for the required software to be automatically searched and installed, the following is required:
- Turn on the computer. You must wait until the operating system loads.
- Insert the equipment into the appropriate connector. For example, a flash card into a USB connector.
- Wait a while. In the operating system, when connecting the equipment for the first time, a message will appear about automatically searching for a driver and initializing it. If the software is installed, the OS will notify the user that the connected component is ready for operation.
Now it’s clear how automatic mode install the driver. Code 28 for Windows 7 is the installation error number of the corresponding software for the connected equipment. It appears when it was not possible to find a driver for a particular component on the computer. How to deal with such a problem?
Manual driver installation
Most often, this is exactly the scenario that takes place. How to install drivers on Windows 7? Often you have to carry out the entire process yourself. Removable media do not require additional manipulations, but other equipment does.
Accordingly, the user must manually install the software package to debug and recognize the device. The procedure is performed for each connected equipment.
The process boils down to the following scheme:
- The computer turns on. As in the previous case, you need to wait for the OS to load.
- Connect the device to the appropriate connectors. If necessary, connect the equipment to the network.
- Run a special driver installer program. It is usually included with the equipment.
- Following the instructions of the initializer, complete the installation process.
- To restart a computer. An optional, although desirable, procedure.
After the driver installation is completed, a corresponding message will appear on the computer indicating that the operating system has recognized the new device. This means that from now on it will work properly.
What is needed for manual installation
However, not everything is as simple as it seems. The point is that the process manual installation The software being studied sometimes requires some preparation. What needs to be done to be fully prepared for the procedure?
Today, if a user is wondering how to install drivers on Windows 7, he should prepare:
- a working PC to which the component is planned to be connected;
- connected equipment;
- wires for connecting the device, usually included with the component;
- installation disk with drivers (also included).
Without all this, it will not be possible to bring the idea to life. Sometimes it happens that the disc is either not included or is missing altogether. What to do in this case?
If there is no disk
How to install a printer driver on Windows 7 or any other equipment without an installation disk? It's not that hard to do! The main thing is to follow the small instructions.
It looks like this:
- Turn on the computer and wait for it to boot.
- Connect to the Internet.
- Look at the model of the connected equipment. It will be written either on the device or on the box with it.
- Go to the official website of the equipment creator.
- Search for a driver for the corresponding device. There are special lines for this on the creators’ website.
- Download driver. It will download as an executable file.
- Connect new equipment to your computer.
- Launch the downloaded driver and, following the steps prescribed in the installer, install the software.
There is nothing difficult in the process. The only thing we recommend you pay attention to is the version of the driver you are downloading. It is advisable to download the latest software build. Otherwise, the device may not work correctly.
Printer
How to install a printer driver on Windows 7? To bring your idea to life, you need to use one of the previously given instructions. If we look at the process in more detail, we will have to slightly change the proposed steps.
Installing the printer driver, as well as connecting the corresponding equipment, is as follows:
- Install the printer in a location convenient for the user.
- Connect all available wires to the switched off device. One of them is connected to the network, the other is connected to the computer.
- Turn on the PC and printer.
- Insert the driver disc into the computer. Or run the appropriate installation file.
- Install the driver following the instructions in the Software Installation Wizard.
A little wait - and the process is completed in Windows 7. “The printer driver was installed successfully” - this is exactly the message the user will see. If something goes wrong, the equipment simply will not work.
How to install drivers on Windows 10, Windows 8.1, Windows 8, Windows 7, Vista, XP?
What is manual or automatic installation drivers?
We will try to explain in a language that everyone can understand, without abstruse phrases and complex terms! The principle of manual, simple or automatic driver installation for the above operating systems is the same.
So, let's begin!
Automatic driver installation
You downloaded the driver from the site, it can be either in the form of an arj, zip, rar archive (simple archive), or in the form of a single file with the exe extension (self-extracting archive). A self-extracting archive (example installdriver.exe) is a startup file that already stores compressed files that do not require third party programs To unpack, you just need to run it, point to an empty folder on your disk that you created in advance, and the archive itself will unzip the drivers there.
A simple archive arj, zip or rar - in this case you also need to create an empty folder on the disk in advance and unzip all the files from the archive there, unzip it and not just run the archive, the fact is that often many novice users, after downloading the archive, just open it through “Start” or “Run”, while the archiver program simply shows the contents of the archive in the form of a list of files and any attempts to run something from the archive will lead to an error, so remember that the first thing you need to do is unpack the archive into a separate empty one you created folder, for this in the archiver program (for example WinRar) there is a button “Extract to the specified folder” or “Extract to” after which you simply indicate where to unpack the archive and wait for unpacking.
Now comes the most important part!
You unpacked the archive into a folder you created in advance, went into it and saw the setup.exe or install.bat file or any other startup file with a different name, just run it and the installation program will do everything itself, you just have to reboot the PC (if the installer does not will do it himself) and enjoy the working device.
Now let's consider the option when you unpacked the archive into a folder you created in advance, went into it and saw an incomprehensible set of several files c inf extension, ini, sys and others, while starting exe files or there is simply no bat. This may be the case, the fact is that it is often difficult to find drivers for some devices on the manufacturer’s website, especially if it is already outdated, and you have lost the installation disk for the device for a long time or maybe it never existed at all, in this case, help resources come that have a rich library of old but current drivers where they are usually stored in this form, that is, the downloaded archive will not contain any installation programs, but only the files of the driver itself, which we now have to install.
Manual driver installation
We have a folder with several files. What's next?
1.Go to "Device Manager"
2. We look in the list for the necessary equipment for which you actually downloaded the driver; as a rule, a non-working or incorrectly working device is placed exclamation mark, which is hard to miss.
3.Click on the device with the left mouse button, highlighting it, then click right button mouse - a menu will open, select "Update drivers"
4. A large window will appear “How do you want to search for device drivers”
5. By selecting the top item “Automatically search for updated drivers”, Windows itself will find on the network (though not always) the driver needed for the device, this is “automatic driver installation”. But we need to install the driver we have already downloaded from our folder, so we select the bottom item “Search for drivers on this computer”, after which the “Search for drivers on this computer” window will appear, everything is simple here, click “Browse” and look for your folder where did we throw those downloaded drivers with incomprehensible files;), as a result, in the window we have the path to the folder with the files, click “Next”, now Windows will do everything itself and, if necessary, restart the system.
That's basically all, we sincerely hope that this small article will help you install the driver you downloaded and the necessary equipment will work perfectly and make you happy. Good luck to you friends and let everything work out!
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