If you need to update your driver software on Windows, it is possible to do so manually. Before beginning the process, it is advisable that you visit the manufacturer’s website of the device in question and check for the most recent driver version available online. You may also want to check the Windows Update feature as this can often detect and install updated driver software as required.
Here is a step-by-step guide to manually updating your driver software on Windows:
1. Open the Control Panel. To do this, click the Start button, and then locate and select ‘Control Panel’ in the list of options.
2. In the Control Panel, select ‘System’ and click on the ‘Hardware’ tab.
3. Select ‘Device Manager’. This will give you a full list of all the devices currently connected to your computer and their associated drivers.
4. Find the device for which you wish to update the driver from the list and double-click it.
5. Now, select the ‘Driver’ tab and click the ‘Update Driver’ button.
6. You will be asked if you want to search for the driver automatically or manually. Select the ‘Browse My Computer for Driver Software’ option and click ‘Next.’
7. Navigate to the folder where you downloaded the driver software (e.g. the manufacturer’s website).
8. Select the driver you wish to install and click ‘Next’. This will initiate the installation process.
9. Once the installation is complete, click ‘Finish’ and your driver software should be up to date.
It is also important to note that, depending on the device, having an older driver version installed than the one available online can still work without issues. If this is the case, it is usually not necessary to update the driver. For example, if you have an older printer with an older driver version installed and it is working properly, there is no need to update the driver software.
Finally, it is important to remember to keep all your driver software up to date. This is particularly true for hardware devices that are connected regularly to the internet such as modems and routers, as they can benefit the most from recent updates, fixes and security patches. Keeping your driver software up to date will help ensure optimal performance, reliability and security.