Check Your Graphics Driver Through Device Manager

The fastest way to find your graphics driver is through Device Manager, a built-in Windows tool that lists every hardware component in your computer. Open Device Manager by right-clicking the Start button and selecting "Device Manager," or search for it directly in the Windows search bar.

Once Device Manager opens, locate the "Display adapters" category and click the arrow to expand it. You'll see your graphics card listed by name — this is your GPU manufacturer and model. Right-click on it and select "Properties" to open a window showing your driver version, driver date, and driver provider. The version number appears under the "Driver" tab in a field labeled "Driver Version."

Write down both your GPU name (for example, "NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060" or "AMD Radeon RX 6700") and the driver version number. You'll need both when searching for updates or troubleshooting problems.

Key Takeaways

  • Device Manager shows your graphics card model and current driver version in one place without installing anything.
  • Your GPU manufacturer — NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel — determines where you read driver updates.
  • The driver version number and date tell you whether your driver is current or outdated.
  • NVIDIA and AMD both offer control panels that display driver information and let you update directly from your desktop.
  • Integrated graphics (Intel UHD, AMD Radeon) often update through Windows Update rather than manufacturer websites.

Use Your GPU Manufacturer's Control Panel

If you have an NVIDIA or AMD graphics card, the manufacturer's control panel is installed on your desktop and shows driver details when ready. For NVIDIA, right-click on your desktop and select "NVIDIA Control Panel" (or search for it in the Start menu). For AMD, search for "AMD Radeon Settings" or "AMD Radeon Software."

In NVIDIA Control Panel, go to "Help" and select "System Information." The driver version appears at the top of the window. In AMD Radeon Settings, click the gear icon for settings, then select "System" to see your driver version listed under "Driver Version."

These control panels also let you check for driver updates directly. NVIDIA shows an "Update" button if a newer driver is available; AMD displays a notification banner when updates are ready. This is often faster than visiting the manufacturer's website.

Find Your Driver Information on the Manufacturer Website

If you need to read a driver or want to see what the latest version is, visit the official manufacturer support page. NVIDIA's driver read page is at nvidia.com/read/driverDetails.aspx, AMD's is at amd.com/en/support, and Intel's is at intel.com/content/www/us/en/support/detect.html.

On each site, you'll enter your GPU model and operating system (Windows 10, Windows 11, etc.), and the page will show the latest available driver version. Compare this version number to what Device Manager or your control panel showed you. If the numbers match, your driver is current. If the website shows a higher version number, an update is available.

These pages also provide release notes explaining what each driver version fixes or improves, which helps you decide whether updating is necessary for your situation.

Identify Integrated Graphics vs. Dedicated Graphics

Some computers have integrated graphics built into the CPU (Intel UHD Graphics, AMD Radeon integrated graphics) rather than a separate graphics card. Device Manager will still list it under "Display adapters," but the driver source is different.

Integrated graphics drivers usually update through Windows Update automatically. You can check for updates by going to Settings > Update & Security > Check for updates. If a graphics driver update is available, Windows will read and install it.

If you want to update integrated graphics manually, Intel users can visit intel.com/content/www/us/en/support/detect.html and AMD users can visit amd.com/en/support. Both sites have read pages for integrated graphics drivers. However, most users find that Windows Update keeps integrated graphics drivers current without manual intervention.

What to Do If You Can't Find Your Graphics Driver

If Device Manager shows "Unknown Device" or a generic display adapter with no manufacturer name, your computer is missing the correct driver. This usually happens after a fresh Windows installation or when Windows can't identify the hardware.

Start by checking if Windows Update has a driver available. Go to Settings > Update & Security > Check for updates and restart your computer. Windows will search for missing drivers automatically.

If Windows Update doesn't find it, you need to identify your GPU first. Restart your computer and enter the BIOS (usually by pressing Delete, F2, or F12 during startup — the key appears on your screen). Look for a section called "Integrated Peripherals" or "Onboard Devices" that lists your graphics hardware. Write down the exact model name, exit the BIOS, and then search that model on the manufacturer's website to read the driver.

Compare Driver Versions to Know If You're Current

Driver version numbers follow different formats depending on the manufacturer. NVIDIA uses a format like "531.18" or "546.29," where the first number is the major release and the second is the minor update. AMD uses formats like "23.12.1" or "24.1.1," representing year, month, and patch number. Intel uses formats like "27.20.100.9316."

The exact number matters less than whether your version matches what the manufacturer's website shows as current. Visit the read page, enter your GPU model, and compare the version number shown there to what you found in Device Manager or your control panel. If they're the same, you're current. If the website shows a higher number, an update is available.

You don't need to update every time a new driver releases. Most users update when they encounter a graphics problem, when a game requires a newer driver, or when the manufacturer marks an update as critical for security or stability.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where do I find my graphics driver if I have two graphics cards?

Device Manager will list both under "Display adapters." Most laptops have integrated graphics plus a dedicated NVIDIA or AMD card. The dedicated card handles gaming and graphics-heavy work; the integrated card handles everyday tasks. Check both to see which driver versions are installed, but you typically only need to update the dedicated card's driver for gaming or graphics work.

Can I find my graphics driver version without opening Device Manager?

Yes. If you have NVIDIA, right-click your desktop and open NVIDIA Control Panel, then go to Help > System Information. If you have AMD, open AMD Radeon Settings and click the gear icon, then System. Both show your driver version when ready. For Intel integrated graphics, the version is harder to find without Device Manager, but Windows Update usually handles updates automatically.

What if my graphics driver version is very old?

An old driver version usually means you haven't updated in a long time, but it doesn't always mean you need to update when ready. If your graphics are working fine and you're not having problems, an older driver is often stable. However, if you're experiencing crashes, visual glitches, or a game won't run, updating to the latest driver is one of the first troubleshooting steps to try.

Is my graphics driver the same as my GPU model?

No. Your GPU model is the hardware (for example, "NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060"). Your graphics driver is the software that lets Windows and your programs communicate with that hardware. Device Manager shows both — the GPU model in the device name, and the driver version in the Properties window. You need both pieces of information to troubleshoot graphics problems.