How to properly update device drivers on Windows 10

On Windows 10, a device driver is an essential piece of code, which allows the system to interact with a specific hardware (such as graphics card, storage driver, network adapter, Bluetooth, etc.), as well as peripherals, including mice, keyboards, printers, monitors, and many others.

Usually, the detection and installation of device drivers happen automatically using the built-in driver library and the Windows Update service. However, sometimes, you may still need to update some devices manually for a number of reasons. For example, when Windows 10 cannot recognize a component. The device stops working after an upgrade. Windows Update installs a generic package, or you have to apply a critical fix or access a new feature quickly.

Whatever the reason it might be, Windows 10 comes with several options to manually update a device driver, including using Windows Update, Device Manager, and auto-update assistants from device manufacturers.

In this Windows 10 guide, we'll walk you through three different methods to properly update hardware drivers on your computer. Also, we outline the steps to determine if the driver was updated successfully.

How to update drivers on Windows 10 using Windows Update

Usually, it takes time for manufacturers to make newer drivers available through Windows Update. However, it's still the best option to download and install drivers manually. The reason is that only the packages compatible with your system configuration will be listed on this page, minimizing the chances of adding the wrong update. Also, the drivers in this channel have been tested, verified, and signed by Microsoft.

To quickly update device drivers using Windows Update, use these steps:

  1. Open Settings.

  2. Click on Update & Security.

  3. Click on Windows Update.

  4. Click the Check for updates button (if applicable).

  5. Click the View optional updates option.

  6. Click the Driver updates tab.

  7. Select the driver you want to update.

  8. Click the Download and install button.

Once you complete the steps, the newer driver will download and install automatically on your device.

If the "View optional updates" link is not available after checking for updates, then Windows Update doesn't have any new drivers or any update for other products at that particular time.