How to install drivers on Windows: 10 steps

All PC users, without exception, face the need to install, reinstall and update drivers. Without this software, it is impossible to imagine the work of most devices - both built into a computer and connected to it. Certain operations with drivers can be performed manually or using special service utilities that automate the process. Let's consider everything in order.

Steps

Method 1 of 2: Installing Drivers Manually

Step 1. Get device and OS information

For the device to function properly, the driver must not only match its model, but also be compatible with the operating system. You should start collecting information about your computer from the system. Here you need to determine both the version and the bitness of the OS:

• Find My Computer or This PC on your desktop, Start menu, or Windows Explorer.
• Click on the icon with the right mouse button and select "Properties" from the drop-down list.
• The "System" window will open with all the information we need.
• In the "Windows Edition" block you will be able to see the OS version, and in the "System" block - its bit depth.
• In the example in the illustration, we have a Windows version 10 64-bit (x64). Then you can go to the next step.

Step 2. Get information about the device

There are several ways to get information about a device.

• If this is some kind of externally connected equipment (for example, a printer or keyboard), the driver for it can be found by the name indicated on the case, using any search engine.
• It is more difficult when the name of the device is unknown. In such cases, information can be obtained using specialized programs - both system (installed with the operating system) and third-party (installed by the user).
• In Windows, you can use the Device Manager program:
  • Press the "Win" and "R" buttons on the keyboard.
  • The Run window will open.
  • In the "Open" field, copy the "devmgmt.msc" command (without the quotes) and click the "OK" button.
  • The Device Manager application will launch.
  • The program window will list the names of all computer devices, each of which is placed in its own section.
  • Devices with faulty or missing drivers in the system will have a yellow question mark or exclamation mark next to the name.

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  • Often, instead of the name of the device, the inscription "Unknown device" or similar may be indicated.

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  • Double click on the name of the device or the inscription that replaces it.
  • The device properties window will open. Go to the "Details" tab.
  • In the drop-down list "Properties" select "Hardware ID".

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  • The required information is located in the "Values" block. Select the first item with the mouse and copy it to the clipboard (press "Ctrl + C" on the keyboard). The copied data is a unique identification number of the computer device, by which you can get all the necessary information about it, including the name and model.

Step 3. Find and download the driver

To obtain information about the device and download the driver for, you need to use any search engine:

• Copy the received equipment ID into the search box, click on the search button.
• One of the top lines of the search result will link to a page with information about the device.
• By clicking on the link, you can download the device driver. It is important to choose the operating system for which the software is intended.

Step 4. Install the driver

• If the drivers downloaded from the Internet are accompanied by an installer (file with the extension "exe", "msi", "bat", etc.), just start it and follow the instructions on the screen.
• If the installer is missing from the archive with the driver, do the following:
  • Open the properties window of the device for which you want to install the driver through the Device Manager program.
  • Go to the Driver tab, then click the Update Driver button.

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  • A new window will open, click on the "Search for drivers on this computer" button.

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  • Next, opposite the field "Search for drivers in the next location", click on the "Browse …" button and select the folder where the unpacked drivers are located.

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  • Click Next. The system will automatically install the driver.

Method 2 of 2: Automatically Install Drivers Using DriverHub

Step 1. Learn about the risks of manual installation

The manual method of installing drivers is associated with the risk of infecting the computer with malicious programs (they may be present in files downloaded from the network) or malfunctions in the operation of the device itself or the operating system (if unsigned or incompatible drivers are installed). In addition, this method is time consuming and requires skills in working with computer software. Step 2. Learn about special applications for installing drivers.

It is much easier to install and update drivers using dedicated applications. One of them is DriverHub - a free application endowed with all the necessary functionality for both downloading and installing / updating software from thousands of computer devices. No specific skills are required to use the program. Step 3. To install and update any drivers, install the program by downloading it from the official DriverHub website.

Step 4. Immediately after launch, click on the "Find Now" button

The program will start scanning the system in order to find missing or outdated drivers. Step 5. At the end of the scan, the program will display the names of the devices for which the drivers can be installed or updated.

Step 6. Select the required devices in the list and click the "Install" button

The program itself will download the drivers from its own file storage from the network, and then also install them on the computer on its own.