Introduction
In this article, we will see how we can install or update Windows 11 drivers.
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Why Install Drivers?
A device driver is computer software that operates or controls a certain type of device that is connected to a computer or automaton. A driver is a software interface to hardware devices that allows operating systems and other computer applications to access hardware operations without knowing specifics about the hardware being utilized.
A driver interacts with the device via the computer bus or communications subsystem to which the hardware is connected. When a calling software calls a driver routine, the driver sends orders to the device (drives it). When the device returns data to the driver, the driver may call functions from the original calling application.
Some Common type of Drivers
- Printers
- Video adapters
- Network cards
- Sound cards
- Local buses of various sorts—in particular, for bus mastering on modern systems
- Low-bandwidth I/O buses of various sorts (for pointing devices such as mice, keyboards, etc.)
- Computer storage devices such as hard disk, CD-ROM, and floppy disk buses (ATA, SATA, SCSI, SAS)
- Implementing support for different file systems
- Image scanners
- Digital cameras
- Digital terrestrial television tuners
- Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), Thread, ZigBee, and Z-Wave).
- IrDA adapters
Why Update Drivers?
Driver updates can include everything from new security patches to prevent hackers from damaging your information to enhancements to your device's hardware. Device makers will frequently find flaws or mistakes, referred to as "bugs," and then release a driver update to remedy them.
New advancements are always made, and new problems and risks are constantly detected, thus driver updates assist manufacturers in continuing to provide support to consumers who purchase their goods. If your device is supported by driver updates, you normally do not need to purchase new components.
Failure to update drivers might cause major issues. In addition to missing out on new features and speed improvements, your device may be vulnerable to hackers or viruses, or it may cease to function.
When to Update Drivers?
The symptoms of a faulty driver in need of an update will differ depending on the problematic driver. For example, a display driver may exhibit latency, be pixelated or flashing, or have unclear visuals. Motherboard drivers, on the other hand, may indicate the need for an update by failing to boot correctly, crashing unexpectedly, or making the computer slow while doing even the most basic operations.
Installing/Updating Drivers using Windows Update
After installing Windows 11 one of the very common issues is regarding driver installation and updates, you can resolve all these issues using Windows Update.
Step 1
Go to Start -> Settings -> Windows Update.
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Note
Ensure that you are connected to the internet.
Step 2
Click Check Updates.
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After Windows Update detects the system setup, it begins downloading all of the necessary drivers in your system.
Step 3
Click on Advanced options -> Optional Updates to check if there are any driver update that are left.
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Note: If some drivers are not identified and installed by Windows Update, you can install them manually.
How can I manually install/update a driver?
Step 1
Press "Windows +S" and search for "Device Manager".
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Step 2
Click "Open".
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Step 3
From the list see which category driver you want to update. Right-click on the desired driver.
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Step 4
Select "Update Driver". A pop-up will open.
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Step 5
When asked, choose Search automatically for updated driver software. Or if you have the driver file you can select "Browse my computer for drivers".
The computer will start the driver upgrade and advise you through any procedures that are required.
Note
To see driver details, select properties -> Driver.
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Reinstall the device driver
- Enter device manager in the taskbar's search box, then pick Device Manager.
- Right-click (or press and hold) the device's name and select Uninstall.
- Restart your computer.
- The driver will be reinstalled by Windows.
Conclusion
In this article, we discussed how we can install or update windows drivers on windows 11
Visit C# Corner to find answers to more such questions.