Does your Windows PC also lag frequently? It might be due to the malfunctions in your PC that divest it of its robustness, making it vulnerable to viruses. Many might not know the logic behind it, but people who are linked to the tech world can easily track down the reason. However, it may be daunting for people with no tech background to figure out the cause.
Whether you’re tech-savvy or a newbie, it’s important to know the factors responsible for maintaining the effectiveness of your system. But if you need help, we have got you covered!
Well, problems mainly occur due to outdated drivers. Drivers play a vital role in connecting your system and hardware. To ensure smooth communication, you must keep your drivers updated. If your drivers are corrupt, outdated, missing, broken, or malfunctioning, it can impact your system’s performance and lead to frequent crashes. So, make sure you always use the latest drivers for optimal results.
Now, we can proceed to the next part, where we’ll learn how to check for outdated drivers. After that, we’ll explain the best methods to update drivers on a Windows PC manually.
Ways to Check Your PC for Outdated Drivers
Manually checking your PC for an outdated driver is one of the most convenient methods that can be performed through Windows in-built utility Device Manager.
Follow the instructions mentioned below for easy navigation:
- The first thing you need to do is open up the Device Manager.
- Continue navigating the devices on your screen with the yellow exclamation or triangle mark.
These are the devices that have outdated or broken drivers. That’s how you can check for outdated drivers using the Device Manager.
Practical Methods to Manually Update Outdated Drivers in Windows 10, 11.
Now, let’s move on to the effective methods for updating them.
Method 1: Update through the official website.
If you’re tech-savvy, you can manually update outdated drivers by visiting the manufacturer’s official website. Here’s how you can do it:
- Start by clicking the Win and R key simultaneously to activate the Run box.
- Now, type “devmgmt.msc” in the box and hit OK.
- Afterwards, the Device Manager window will pop up. You’re supposed to click on the Device you wish to update.
- You can click on the Update Driver option after you expand the device category of your choice.
- Opt for Browse my computer for driver software.
- Now, choose the Browse option and select the downloaded driver file from your computer. Make sure you checkmark the “Include Subfolders” option before moving ahead.
You can manually keep up with your drivers on Windows 10/8/7 by visiting the manufacturer’s official website.
Method 2: Using Windows In-built Functionality (Device Managers) for the outdated drivers.
Alright, let’s move on to the following method! Using the device manager is a great way to update outdated drivers and manually improve your system’s functionality. Here’s how you can do it:
- Start by clicking on the Start menu of your Windows, type Device Manager, and opt for the first desired result.
- After the Device Manager opens, click on the Device you wish to update. For instance, if your keyboard drivers are outdated and you want to update them, you only need to click on the Keyboard and expand it.
- Now, you’re supposed to click on the update driver option.
- Lastly, select “Search Automatically for Updated Driver Software”
- The Device Manager will search for updates and automatically install them if there are any available.
Method3: Updating Device Drivers via Windows Update
Updating the Windows version religiously also aids in updating the outdated drivers with convenience. In fact, it is one of the most convenient and precise methods to update the drivers. Here’s how to do it:
- Start by triggering the System Settings.
- Now, navigate the Update & Security option.
- After that, select the Windows Update option and click the “Check for Updates” option.
- The window will automatically start the update once you’re done with the steps mentioned above
.Method 4: Using Microsoft Catalog for Updating Drivers.
Another great way to manually update outdated drivers is by using the Microsoft Update Catalog website. It’s Microsoft’s official website, where you can find a wide range of device driver updates for different versions of Windows, including Windows 11.
You can follow these steps to use the website and download drivers:
- Visit the Microsoft Update Catalog website
- Search for the specific driver you require by entering relevant keywords or the device name.
- Browse through the search results and choose the appropriate driver for your system
- Click the “Download” button next to the driver to start the download process.
Once the driver is downloaded, you can install it on your system following the instructions.
Your system will get the latest version after the procedure is completed. Make sure you restart the Device to apply the change. However, if you’re not comfortable manually updating drivers, you can rely on the driver updater tool. Ensure you opt for a reputable driver update tool by checking online reviews to avoid inconvenience.
FAQs
Does an Outdated Driver prove harmful to your system?
Outdated drivers can pose a threat to your system by not communicating with the system properly. As a result, the respective device may be unable to revert to your commands or stop working altogether.
Can I update my outdated drivers manually and for free on Windows 10,11?
There are various ways to update your outdated drivers manually for free on the concerned Windows. It may include:
- Using the official website of the manufacturer
- Resorting to the Device Manager
- Using Windows Update
- Relying on a Microsoft Update Catalog
Is updating outdated drivers safe?
Yes, it’s safe if you know your driver and hardware requirements well.
Final Words:
In short, these systems can help you manually update your outdated drivers. However, if you’re not into tech or find manual updating time-consuming, you can count on tools for this purpose. Updating tools will automatically download and install the latest version for you.
