How to Update Drivers on Windows 10: Complete Guide

As technology evolves, keeping your devices up to date is essential for optimal performance. One of the most important maintenance tasks is making sure your Windows 10 drivers are current. Drivers are small programs that allow the operating system to communicate with and control hardware components such as graphics cards, sound cards and network adapters. In this guide, we will show you how to keep your Windows 10 drivers updated and share a few tools that simplify the process. If you are still deciding whether to stay on Windows 10 or move on, see our comparison of Windows 10 vs Windows 11.

Drivers are pieces of software that act as an intermediary between the operating system and your computer's hardware. For example, for a game to display correctly on your screen, Windows 10 uses the graphics driver to communicate with your GPU. Without the right driver, hardware either cannot be used at all or runs with reduced functionality. If you also need to check your underlying system before updating, have a look at our guide on how to check your Windows version (32-bit or 64-bit).

Hardware manufacturers regularly release new driver versions to fix bugs, improve compatibility and add new features. If you do not keep your drivers up to date, you may run into the following issues:

• You miss out on new features and performance improvements.

• You may notice a drop in overall system performance.

• You might experience incompatibilities, crashes or system errors.

A properly licensed and updated copy of Windows makes all of this far easier. If you need a genuine licence, you can buy a Windows 10 Pro licence directly from our store.

Manual update via Device Manager:

• Right-click the "Start" icon and select "Device Manager".

• Find the device you want to update. For example, to update your graphics card driver, expand the "Display adapters" category.

• Right-click the device and choose "Update driver".

• Windows will offer two options: search automatically for updated driver software, or browse your computer for driver software. The automatic option is usually the simplest.

Update via Windows Update:

• Go to "Settings" > "Update & Security" > "Windows Update".

• Click "Check for updates". Windows will look for updates for both the operating system and your drivers.

• If updates are available, Windows will download and install them automatically.

For a full overview of Windows installation and setup, see our step-by-step Windows installation guide.

Keeping drivers up to date can be tedious if done entirely by hand. Fortunately, there are programs designed specifically for this purpose. Here is a well-known Windows 10 driver updater that can make the process easier:

• Driver Booster: a popular and reliable tool. Once installed, it scans your PC for outdated drivers and lets you update them all at once or pick and choose which ones to update.

If you also want to keep your PC healthy beyond drivers, browse our range of PC tools and optimisation software.

1. Make a backup. Before running any update, it is wise to back up your system or at least your most important files.

2. Check the manufacturer's official site. Although Windows 10 usually does a good job of identifying and downloading drivers, it is always a good idea to visit the hardware manufacturer's official website. You may find newer versions or drivers that are specific to your exact model.

3. Be cautious with third-party programs. While Driver Booster is a reliable option, many programs claim to update your drivers but are actually full of malware. Always do your research and read user reviews before downloading and installing any software.

4. Don't update if everything is working properly. Keeping drivers current is important, but if your system is running smoothly and you do not need the new features or fixes an update provides, it can be sensible to wait. New versions sometimes introduce unexpected issues.

Keeping Windows 10 drivers up to date is essential for the smooth running of your computer and for taking full advantage of its capabilities. With the right tools and methods, this process is straightforward and efficient. Always take precautions and create backups before making significant changes to your system, so your day-to-day computing experience stays reliable. For a genuine operating system to run alongside your updated drivers, explore our full range of Windows licences.

Best regards,
The Licendi Team