subject: How to Find Out The Best Way to Update PC Drivers [print this page] How to Find Out The Best Way to Update PC Drivers
As long as Windows is the operating of choice then you will have to make sure that all of the devices that are currently connected to the PC have the most up to date and stable drivers installed. If you do not have the correct device drivers you can expect a whole host of problems such as system crashes, lock ups, start up errors and sluggish performance levels.
The different ways to update your device drivers
There are basically 2 ways of updating the drivers in your computer. The first way is to manually update all of drivers by visiting the official websites of the hardware manufacturers. Although this is time consuming, you should be able to find the download page reasonably quickly. One problem with this method is that often you will not be able to locate an older driver because it is no longer supported.
If you wish to do this then I recommend you jot down on a piece of paper all of the drivers currently installed on your computer by doing the following:
1. Locate the Control Panel inside Windows by clicking the Start button.
2. Once inside the Control Panel look for the Device Manager tab or icon and then proceed to click on this.
3. You will then be directed to the device manager which lists all of your devices currently associated with your computer.
4. Write down all of the devices on a piece of a paper.
5. Proceed to each official website, locate the driver for your hardware device and proceed to download and install.
The second way to perform driver updates on your PC is to use a software update program. There are quite a few to choose from but I recommend choosing a software tool that features a self building database and good customer support which can be accessed from the program itself.
Many good driver update programs can be downloaded free. You then install the software and carry out a system scan which then tells you which drivers need updating. Only then do you need to register the product in order to install the updated drivers.
I use such tools because in my line of work I do not have time to visit the many websites needed in order to install the correct drivers. It would literally take me hours to install drivers for printers, graphic cards, scanners, network cards, etc so I prefer to use a software driver update program which scans and updates all the drivers in about 30 seconds.
Which ever method you choose, my advice as a computer technician is always make sure your drivers are updated to ensure a fast performing, healthy PC that will last you years to come.
