subject: Windows XP Driver Updates Are Easier Than You Think! [print this page] Windows XP Driver Updates Are Easier Than You Think!
Obtaining the most recent Windows XP driver updates can have an extremely beneficial effect on the performance of your personal computer. Many people don't realize that outdated drivers are often the culprits behind errors, slowdowns, and overall poor performance. As a matter of fact, many people do not even realize what drivers are!
Windows drivers are code interfaces that allow your computer to communicate with external hardware devices. This includes your mouse, keyboard, video card, sound card, printer, monitor, and more. All these things utilize device drivers in order to properly run with your Windows computer.
Finding the proper Windows XP driver updates for your hardware and operating system can be a big hassle. First you have to figure out which hardware needs new drivers (which is not always clear), and then you have to go on a hunt over the internet to find the appropriate driver for your operating system and hardware version.
There is an easy way to update drivers, however, and it's in the form of automatic driver update software. One excellent program is called Driver Detective, and it draws on a database of over 2.2 million different device drivers, including special drivers for computers manufactured by Dell, Toshiba, Compaq, and other brands.
Another excellent program you can check out is Driver Genius. It's very similar to Driver Detective. Basically these programs scan your computer for all installed drivers and then compares that data with their company's databases of the latest drivers. If yours are out of date all it takes is a few simple clicks, and the software will download the latest driver updates automatically.
Keeping your Windows XP drivers up to date is important if you want to ensure that your computer is running at peak performance. It's a basic part of computer maintenance, as well as a first step in troubleshooting any sort of computer error or problem.