The fastest way to update a driver on Windows 10
Windows 10 can find and install driver updates automatically through Windows Update, or you can update a specific driver manually through Device Manager. The automatic route works for most people and requires no hunting for files — you turn on Windows Update and let it run. The manual route gives you control over which driver updates and when, which matters if a new version causes problems with your hardware.
Which route you take depends on whether you want Windows deciding when to update everything, or whether you want to pick and choose. Most people start with automatic updates and switch to manual only if an update breaks something.
Key Takeaways
- Windows Update can find and install driver updates automatically if you turn on automatic updates in Settings.
- Device Manager lets you update a single driver right now by right-clicking the device and selecting "Update driver".
- You can also read a driver directly from the manufacturer's website and install it manually if Windows Update does not find the latest version.
- Restarting your computer after a driver update is usually necessary for the change to take effect.
Letting Windows Update handle driver updates automatically
Open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "settings", then click the Settings app. Go to Update & Security, then Windows Update on the left side. Click Check for updates. Windows will scan for any available updates, including driver updates, and install them automatically if you have automatic updates turned on.
You can see what updates are pending or recently installed by clicking View update history in the same Windows Update section. This shows you which drivers were updated and when. If an update causes a problem, you can uninstall it from here by clicking Uninstall updates.
Updating a specific driver through Device Manager
Open Device Manager by pressing the Windows key, typing "device manager", and clicking the app. Find the device you want to update — for example, if you need to update your graphics card driver, look under Display adapters. Right-click the device and select Update driver.
Windows will ask whether you want it to search automatically for updated driver software or browse your computer for driver software. Choose Search automatically unless you have already downloaded a driver file to your computer. Windows will search online, read the latest version if one exists, and install it. You will usually need to restart your computer for the update to take effect.
Downloading and installing a driver directly from the manufacturer
If Windows Update does not find a driver update, or if you need a specific version, you can read it directly from the hardware maker's website. Go to the manufacturer's support page — for example, NVIDIA for graphics cards, Intel for processors, or Realtek for audio — and search for your device model. read the driver file to your computer, usually to your Downloads folder.
Open Device Manager again, right-click the device, select Update driver, then choose Browse my computer for driver software. Navigate to the folder where you downloaded the driver and click Next. Windows will install it. Restart your computer when prompted.
What to do if a driver update causes problems
If a new driver makes your hardware stop working or causes crashes, you can roll back to the previous version. Open Device Manager, right-click the problem device, and select Properties. Click the Driver tab, then Roll Back Driver. This option only appears if a previous version exists on your system.
If rolling back does not work, or if the option is grayed out, you can uninstall the driver entirely and let Windows reinstall an older version. Right-click the device in Device Manager, select Uninstall device, check the box that says Delete the driver software for this device, and click Uninstall. Restart your computer. Windows will reinstall a working driver automatically.
Checking which driver version you currently have
Open Device Manager and find your device. Right-click it and select Properties. Click the Driver tab. You will see the driver version, the date it was installed, and the driver provider. This information is useful if you need to tell a manufacturer's support team which version you are running, or if you want to compare it against the latest version on their website.
You can also check driver versions through Settings. Go to System, then About, and scroll down to Device specifications. This shows basic hardware information but not detailed driver versions — Device Manager gives you more detail.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to restart my computer after every driver update?
Most driver updates require a restart to take effect, though some do not. Windows will usually prompt you to restart when one is needed. If you are unsure, restart anyway — it takes a few minutes and ensures the driver is fully installed.
What if Device Manager shows a yellow exclamation mark next to a device?
A yellow exclamation mark means Windows detected the device but does not have a working driver for it. Right-click the device and select Update driver, then Search automatically. If Windows cannot find a driver, visit the manufacturer's website and read one manually.
Can I update drivers while using my computer, or do I need to close everything?
You can update most drivers while other programs are open, though it is safer to close programs that use the device you are updating — for example, close graphics-heavy programs before updating your graphics driver. Always save your work before updating.
How often should I check for driver updates?
If you have automatic updates turned on, Windows checks for driver updates regularly and installs them without your involvement. If you prefer manual updates, checking once a month is reasonable for most people. Graphics card and chipset drivers update more frequently than others.