The fastest way to update drivers depends on your operating system
Windows and Mac handle driver updates differently. On Windows, you can let the system find and install updates automatically, search for a specific driver yourself, or go directly to the manufacturer's website. On Mac, most drivers update through the standard system updates — you rarely need to hunt them down separately. The method you choose depends on whether you know which driver needs updating and how much control you want over the process.
Before you start, know what hardware you're updating. A driver controls how your operating system talks to a piece of hardware — your graphics card, network adapter, printer, or motherboard chipset. If you don't know what device is causing a problem, Windows Device Manager and Mac System Information can show you what's installed and whether anything is flagged as having issues.
Key Takeaways
- Windows automatically checks for driver updates through Windows Update, but you can also search manually in Device Manager or read directly from the manufacturer.
- Mac drivers usually update as part of system updates; you rarely need to find them separately unless you have specialized hardware like a graphics card or audio interface.
- Before updating, write down your exact hardware model and current driver version so you can roll back if the new driver causes problems.
- Always restart your computer after installing a driver update, even if the installer doesn't ask you to.
Updating drivers automatically on Windows
The simplest approach on Windows is to let the system find updates for you. Open Settings, go to Update & Security, then click Check for updates. Windows will scan for driver updates along with system patches. This process runs in the background and installs updates automatically on a schedule, usually overnight.
Automatic updates work well for common hardware — network adapters, USB controllers, and chipset drivers. They're slower to roll out than manufacturer updates, but they're tested against your specific Windows version and are unlikely to break anything. If you're not having problems with a device, automatic updates are usually the right choice.
If you want to see what's being updated before it installs, go to Settings > Update & Security > View update history. This shows you every driver Windows has installed in the past 30 days. If a driver update caused a problem, you can uninstall it from here and prevent Windows from reinstalling it temporarily.
Finding and installing a specific driver on Windows
If you know which device needs updating, open Device Manager by right-clicking the Start button and selecting it from the menu. Find your device in the list — graphics cards are under Display adapters, network hardware under Network adapters, and audio under Sound, video and game controllers. Right-click the device and select Update driver.
Windows will offer two options: Search automatically for updated driver software or Browse my computer for driver software. Choose the automatic option first. Windows will check its own database and Microsoft's servers for a newer version. If it finds one, it will read and install it. If nothing is found, you'll need to get the driver from the manufacturer.
To read directly from the manufacturer, visit their support website, search for your exact hardware model, and read the driver file for your Windows version (32-bit or 64-bit — you can find this in Settings > System > About). Save the file, then return to Device Manager, choose Browse my computer for driver software, and point Windows to the folder where you saved it. Windows will handle the installation from there.
Updating drivers on Mac
Mac handles most drivers through system updates. Open System Settings, go to General, then Software Update. If updates are available, click Update Now. This covers drivers for built-in hardware like trackpads, keyboards, audio, and network adapters. You don't need to do anything else — the system manages them automatically.
For specialized hardware like external graphics cards, audio interfaces, or gaming peripherals, the manufacturer usually provides their own installer. read it from their support page, run the installer, and restart your Mac. Check the manufacturer's website first to see if they have a dedicated driver or if it updates through the App Store.
To check what drivers are currently installed on your Mac, open System Information (search for it in Spotlight), then go to Software > Extensions. This shows kernel extensions and system drivers. Most users never need to look here — it's useful mainly if you're troubleshooting a specific device or if a manufacturer asks you to verify a driver version.
What to do if a driver update causes problems
If your computer becomes unstable, a device stops working, or performance drops after a driver update, you can roll back to the previous version. On Windows, open Device Manager, right-click the problem device, select Properties, go to the Driver tab, and click Roll Back Driver. This option appears only if a previous version exists. Windows will uninstall the new driver and reinstall the older one, then ask you to restart.
If rolling back doesn't work or the option isn't available, you can uninstall the driver entirely. In Device Manager, right-click the device and select Uninstall device. Check the box that says Delete the driver software for this device, then restart. Windows will reinstall a basic version of the driver on startup, and you can then install a different version manually.
On Mac, if a driver update causes problems, restart your Mac in Safe Mode by holding Shift while it boots. This loads only essential drivers. If the problem goes away, the issue is with the driver you just installed. Restart normally, uninstall the problematic driver (usually by running its uninstaller or deleting it from Applications), and contact the manufacturer for an alternative version.
When to update drivers and when to leave them alone
Update a driver if a device isn't working, if you're experiencing crashes or freezes related to that hardware, or if the manufacturer releases a security patch. Graphics card drivers often get updates for new games or performance improvements — these are optional unless you're having specific problems. Audio and network drivers should be kept current because they affect system stability.
Don't update a driver just because an update is available if the device is working fine. Newer isn't always better — a driver that works with your specific hardware and software combination is more valuable than the latest version. The exception is security patches, which you should install promptly. Manufacturers usually label these clearly on their read pages.
If you're not sure whether to update, write down your current driver version before you do anything. You can find this in Device Manager by right-clicking a device, selecting Properties, and going to the Driver tab. If the update causes problems, you'll know exactly what version to roll back to.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know which driver version I have installed?
On Windows, open Device Manager, right-click your device, select Properties, and click the Driver tab. The driver version and date are listed there. On Mac, open System Information, go to Software > Extensions, and search for your device name. Write down the version before you update so you can roll back if needed.
Is it safe to update all drivers at once?
Yes, if you're using Windows Update to install them automatically. If you're installing multiple drivers manually from different manufacturers, do them one at a time and restart between each one. This way, if something breaks, you'll know which driver caused it and can roll back just that one.
What's the difference between a driver and firmware?
A driver is software that tells your operating system how to use a piece of hardware. Firmware is software stored on the hardware itself. Most users only need to update drivers. Firmware updates are rare and usually come from the manufacturer with specific instructions — don't attempt a firmware update unless the manufacturer tells you to.
Do I need to uninstall the old driver before installing a new one?
No. Windows and Mac will replace the old driver automatically when you install the new one. Uninstalling first is only necessary if you're switching to a completely different driver (like moving from one graphics card brand to another) or if an update failed and left the system unstable.
Why does my computer ask me to restart after a driver update?
Drivers run at a deep level in your operating system, and the system can't fully load a new driver while the old one is still in use. Restarting clears the old driver from memory and lets the new one load cleanly. Always restart when prompted, even if the computer seems to work without it.