How to Install Drivers on Windows 10/11 (Beginner Tutorial)

Installing drivers on your Windows 10 or Windows 11 system ensures your computer runs smoothly and all hardware components communicate effectively with the operating system. In this step-by-step guide, we’ll show you how to install drivers using Windows Update, manually download them from manufacturer websites, and identify missing drivers when you’re unsure of what you need.

Key Takeaways

• Use Windows Update to automatically download and install most drivers for your system.
• Manual installation from the manufacturer’s website is necessary for specific drivers, such as chipset or audio drivers.
• Identifying missing drivers can be done through the Device Manager by checking hardware IDs.

Why Installing Drivers Is Important

Drivers are essential pieces of software that allow your computer’s hardware to communicate properly with Windows. Installing the correct drivers ensures your system runs efficiently and avoids hardware errors. Let’s go through the methods to install these drivers effectively.

How to Install Drivers Using Windows Update

Using Windows Update is the easiest way to install drivers for your hardware. Windows can automatically detect and install most drivers for your system through its update mechanism.

Step 1: Open Windows Update

1. Go to the Start menu and click on “Settings.”
2. Select Update & Security (for Windows 10) or “Windows Update” (for Windows 11).

Step 2: Check for Updates

1. If your system isn’t downloading updates automatically, click on “Check for Updates.”
2. Some drivers may be included in regular updates, such as Intel graphics drivers.

Step 3: Install Optional Updates

1. After all updates are installed, check for optional updates. This is where many hardware drivers will appear.
2. Go to “View optional updates” and then select the drivers under the “Driver Updates” tab.
3. Download and install the selected drivers.

Once the drivers are installed, restart your computer, and check Windows Update again to see if any additional updates are needed.

Manual Driver Installation from Manufacturer Websites

Some drivers must be downloaded manually from the hardware manufacturer’s website. This method is necessary for specialized drivers like chipset or audio drivers.

Step 1: Identify Your Hardware

1. Open System Information from the Start menu.
2. Look for your baseboard (motherboard) manufacturer and product. For example, if you have a Gigabyte B450 Aorus Elite V2 motherboard, use that information to search for drivers.

Step 2: Visit the Manufacturer’s Website

1. Do a Google search for your motherboard’s name along with the word “drivers.”
2. Visit the official manufacturer’s website—avoid downloading drivers from third-party sites.
3. Select your operating system (e.g., Windows 10 64-bit) and download the latest drivers for your motherboard.

Step 3: Install the Drivers

1. Once the driver file is downloaded, it will typically come in a ZIP file. Extract it using file extraction software like 7-Zip.
2. Open the folder and run the setup file to install the driver.
3. Repeat this process for all other necessary drivers (e.g., audio, chipset).

How to Identify and Install Missing Drivers

Sometimes you may encounter hardware that Windows Update cannot identify, resulting in a missing driver. Here’s how you can track down these drivers manually.

Step 1: Use Device Manager

1. Right-click on the Start button and open Device Manager.
2. Look for devices with yellow exclamation marks, indicating a missing driver.

Step 2: Find the Hardware ID

1. Right-click on the device with the missing driver and select Properties.
2. Go to the Details tab and change the Property dropdown to Hardware IDs.
3. Copy the hardware ID and paste it into Google to search for the driver.

Step 3: Download and Install the Driver

1. Always try to download the driver from the official manufacturer’s website.
2. Once downloaded, follow the standard installation process as explained earlier.

Two Bonus Methods for Installing Drivers

Method 1: Install via Device Manager

1. In Device Manager, right-click the device and choose Update Driver.
2. Select Search automatically for drivers. Windows will look for updated drivers online.

Method 2: Manual Driver Installation Without a Setup File

1. If the driver doesn’t come with a setup file, right-click the device in Device Manager and select Update Driver.
2. Choose Browse my computer for drivers, and navigate to the folder where the driver files are located.

Avoid Third-Party Driver Installers

Using third-party driver installation tools can sometimes cause more harm than good. These tools may download incorrect drivers, leading to system instability. Stick to the methods described above for safer, more reliable results.

However, if you still weren’t able to install or update your device drivers on Windows 10 or 11, I recommend checking out my guide on How to Install Missing Drivers on Windows with Snappy Driver Installer Origin.

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Conclusion

Installing and updating drivers on Windows 10 and Windows 11 is crucial for your system’s performance and stability. By using Windows Update, manually installing drivers from the manufacturer’s website, and identifying missing drivers through Device Manager, you can ensure your computer is always running at its best.

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FAQs

How do I check if a driver is installed correctly?

You can check if a driver is installed correctly by opening Device Manager. If there are no yellow exclamation marks next to your devices, the drivers are installed correctly.

Can I install Windows 10 drivers on Windows 11?

Yes, many Windows 10 drivers will work on Windows 11. You can download and install them from your manufacturer’s website if no specific Windows 11 drivers are available.

What should I do if Windows Update doesn’t install my driver?

If Windows Update doesn’t install your driver, you can manually download the driver from the manufacturer’s website and install it using the methods mentioned above.

Are there any risks in installing incorrect drivers?

Yes, installing incorrect drivers can lead to hardware malfunctions and system instability. Always download drivers from the official manufacturer’s website.

How often should I update my drivers?

You should update your drivers periodically, especially if you encounter performance issues or after a major Windows update. However, if everything is running smoothly, there’s no need to update them frequently.