{"id":6652,"date":"2025-06-25T08:08:01","date_gmt":"2025-06-25T08:08:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.itarian.com\/blog\/?p=6652"},"modified":"2025-06-25T08:08:01","modified_gmt":"2025-06-25T08:08:01","slug":"how-to-update-drivers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.itarian.com\/blog\/how-to-update-drivers\/","title":{"rendered":"Are Outdated Drivers Slowing Down Your Business"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ever experienced sluggish system performance, mysterious errors, or sudden hardware issues? Often, the culprit is <\/span><b>outdated drivers<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2014a hidden risk that can impact security, stability, and productivity.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Understanding <\/span><b>how to update drivers<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is essential not just for tech enthusiasts but for <\/span><b>IT managers, cybersecurity teams, and CEOs<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> concerned about system reliability. Proper driver management keeps your devices running efficiently and minimizes vulnerabilities that hackers love to exploit.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In this guide, we\u2019ll walk you through all the safe and effective methods to update drivers\u2014both manually and automatically.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>What Are Drivers and Why Do They Matter?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><b>Drivers<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> are essential pieces of software that let your operating system communicate with hardware devices\u2014such as printers, graphics cards, network adapters, and more.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Without the right driver, even the best hardware won\u2019t function correctly.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Why updating drivers is important:<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fixes bugs and glitches<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\n<p><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Enhances device performance<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\n<p><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Closes security vulnerabilities<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\n<p><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ensures compatibility with new software\/OS updates<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\n<p><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>Method 1: How to Update Drivers via Device Manager<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><b>Device Manager<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is a built-in Windows tool that allows users to view and manage hardware components.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Steps to update a driver using Device Manager:<\/b><\/h3>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Press <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Windows + X<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and select <\/span><b>Device Manager<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\n<p><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Expand the section (e.g., Display adapters).<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\n<p><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Right-click the device and select <\/span><b>Update driver<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\n<p><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Choose <\/span><b>Search automatically for drivers<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\n<p><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This method works best for common hardware but may not always provide the latest version.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Method 2: Use Windows Update for Automatic Driver Updates<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Microsoft often includes driver updates in regular <\/span><b>Windows Update<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> packages.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>How to update drivers using Windows Update:<\/b><\/h3>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Open <\/span><b>Settings<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Windows + I<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">) &gt; <\/span><b>Windows Update<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\n<p><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Click <\/span><b>Check for updates<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\n<p><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Look under &#8220;Optional updates&#8221; for driver-related updates.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\n<p><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This is a quick way to stay current, especially for newer devices supported by Microsoft\u2019s catalog.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Method 3: Use Driver Updater Software for Ease and Speed<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you&#8217;re managing multiple machines or want a more user-friendly method, <\/span><b>Driver Updater Software<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> can help automate the process.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Recommended tools include:<\/b><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Driver Booster<\/b><b>\n<p><\/b><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Snappy Driver Installer<\/b><b>\n<p><\/b><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>AVG Driver Updater<\/b><b>\n<p><\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>Benefits of using driver updater tools:<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Detects outdated or missing drivers automatically<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\n<p><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Installs the latest versions from trusted sources<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\n<p><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Offers backup and restore functionality<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\n<p><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ideal for <\/span><b>IT departments<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> managing endpoints at scale.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Manual Update from Manufacturer\u2019s Website (Advanced Users)<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For cutting-edge performance, especially in gaming or high-performance workstations, downloading drivers directly from the manufacturer ensures the <\/span><b>latest and most optimized<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> versions.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Example sources:<\/b><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>NVIDIA\/AMD<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> \u2013 Graphics drivers<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\n<p><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Intel<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> \u2013 Chipset, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi drivers<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\n<p><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Realtek<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> \u2013 Audio drivers<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\n<p><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>HP\/Dell\/Lenovo<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> \u2013 System-specific packages<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\n<p><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Make sure to:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Download from official sources<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\n<p><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Verify OS compatibility (Windows 10\/11, 64-bit, etc.)<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\n<p><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Backup before installation<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\n<p><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>How Often Should You Update Drivers?<\/b><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Critical updates<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (like network or security): As soon as available<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\n<p><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Graphics drivers<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Monthly or with each major release<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\n<p><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Printer\/audio\/peripheral drivers<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Every 3\u20136 months<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\n<p><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>BIOS\/Firmware updates<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Only when necessary and with caution<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\n<p><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A good rule of thumb: <\/span><b>If it\u2019s working well, don\u2019t fix it\u2014unless it&#8217;s a security issue.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><b>Troubleshooting Common Driver Update Issues<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Even when you know how to update drivers, problems can arise. Here&#8217;s how to handle them:<\/span><\/p>\n<table>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><b>Problem<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>Solution<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Driver not found<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Try manufacturer website or updater tool<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">System crashes after update<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Roll back via Device Manager<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Devices not working properly<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Reinstall the driver manually<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Compatibility errors<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Match driver version to OS build<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<h2><b>Security and Compliance Benefits of Keeping Drivers Updated<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For organizations in regulated industries, updating drivers is part of maintaining <\/span><b>cyber hygiene<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and passing audits.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Benefits include:<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Reducing exploitable attack surfaces<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\n<p><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Improving endpoint protection compatibility<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\n<p><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Meeting security compliance standards (HIPAA, ISO 27001)<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\n<p><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>Pro tip:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Use an <\/span><b>RMM (Remote Monitoring and Management)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> tool with driver update automation to maintain a secure and compliant infrastructure.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Actionable Tips for IT Leaders<\/b><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Audit all endpoints<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> monthly for outdated drivers.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\n<p><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Automate driver updates<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> via scripts or third-party software.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\n<p><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Train staff<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> not to install drivers from unknown sources.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\n<p><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Create a rollback plan<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in case a new driver causes issues.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\n<p><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>FAQs About Updating Drivers<\/b><\/h2>\n<h3><b>1. How do I know if my drivers are outdated?<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Check Device Manager for yellow warning signs, or use driver updater tools for a complete scan.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>2. Is it safe to use driver updater software?<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Yes, as long as you use <\/span><b>reputable and trusted brands<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Avoid ad-heavy freeware with poor reviews.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>3. Can outdated drivers cause security risks?<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Absolutely. Vulnerable drivers are a common attack vector for malware and ransomware.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>4. Should I update BIOS or firmware drivers?<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Only if necessary and with a complete backup. These updates carry more risk and require caution.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>5. What\u2019s the easiest way to update all drivers at once?<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Use professional <\/span><b>driver updater software<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> or an <\/span><b>MSP\/RMM tool<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> if managing multiple systems.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Conclusion: Don\u2019t Let Outdated Drivers Be Your Weak Link<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Whether you&#8217;re a solo entrepreneur or managing a fleet of enterprise machines, knowing <\/span><b>how to update drivers<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is essential for <\/span><b>performance, stability, and security<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Keep your systems running smoothly, eliminate vulnerabilities, and save time by updating your drivers regularly\u2014using tools that fit your expertise and infrastructure.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\ud83d\udd27 <\/span><b>Take the smarter route today.<\/b><b><br \/>\n<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Streamline driver and endpoint management with secure automation.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> \ud83d\udc49<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.itarian.com\/signup\/\"> <b>Sign up now on Itarian<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Ever experienced sluggish system performance, mysterious errors, or sudden hardware issues? Often, the culprit is outdated drivers\u2014a hidden risk that can impact security, stability, and productivity. Understanding how to update drivers is essential not just for tech enthusiasts but for IT managers, cybersecurity teams, and CEOs concerned about system reliability. Proper driver management keeps your&hellip; <span class=\"readmore\"><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":11,"featured_media":6662,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-6652","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-ticketing-system","entry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.itarian.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6652","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.itarian.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.itarian.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.itarian.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/11"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.itarian.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6652"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.itarian.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6652\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6672,"href":"https:\/\/www.itarian.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6652\/revisions\/6672"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.itarian.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6662"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.itarian.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6652"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.itarian.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6652"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.itarian.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6652"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}