All About Drivers, Driver Updates, and Driver Downloads

Why exactly are drivers, driver downloads, and driver updates so important? Drivers are small bits of software that act as “translators” between your hardware and your Windows operating system. Without them, your computer couldn’t tell your printer what to print, and couldn’t move your cursor around in response to your mouse. It couldn’t communicate with your other hardware devices, either.

Driver updates help keep your computer and its hardware in sync, especially in the case of an update or an upgrade to your overall operating system. (When you install a new Windows service pack, or upgrade from Vista to Windows 7, for example.)

In addition, driver updates sometimes uncover extra functionality that is locked within your hardware. A new video card driver or monitor driver might improve the sharpness of your images, for example.

Driver Problems? Don’t Feel Bad. We All Have Them.

Everyone experiences driver problems at some point. It's just part of owning a computer. Here are a few of the most common computer problems related to outdated, incorrect, or missing device drivers.

• Device Not Found -- This is one of the biggest problems for any computer. Printers are probably the biggest problem device when it comes to "invisible" hardware. If you don't install the right driver(s) for your hardware, there is a very good chance that your computer won't be able to even recognize your new hardware device--much less be able to work with it. Even if it can recognize your hardware, you should install driver updates to insure you get the most out of your device.
• Printer Will Not Print -- Printers are probably the number one hardware device when it comes to device drivers. Missing printer drivers usually mean your computer won't even be able to recognize your printer, much less make it print. Even installing printer drivers is sometimes not enough; you need printer driver updates to get full functionality out of your hardware--especially when it comes to printers!
• Network Connectivity Problems -- This can often result when you don't have the most up-to-date wireless drivers. If you can't get online, you may need to connect to your modem or router via Ethernet cable and download the wireless drivers you need. If you can't do that, you will probably need to use another computer and use a USB drive to download, transfer, and install wireless driver(s) for your computer.
• Driver Confusion -- If your computer displays an error message about "Driver Confusion", you need to download the right drivers--and fast! Driver confusion can lock your Windows computer up at the login screen. This is one time when driver download software can really pull you out of a dangerous pinch.
• "Blue Screen of Death" -- Yes, you too can get the infamous "Blue Screen of Death" if you download the wrong hardware drivers for your computer! Wrong or conflicting drivers can confuse Windows so that it doesn't know what to when you ask it to boot up. If possible, you should re-start your computer in Safe Mode and see if you can install the right drivers from there.

How to Manually Install Drivers and Driver Updates on Your Computer

You can manually install the drivers and driver updates you need for your computer, if you like. The only caveat here is that, if you don't install the right ones, you are very likely to end up with driver confusion or "Blue Screen of Death" problems.

There are several different ways to update your drivers. The steps below detail how to update Windows drivers for your computer. You will also find generic instructions on how to update your other drivers. For more specific instructions for all sorts of brand names and devices, click the link to discover how to find, download, and install driver updates.

To update Windows drivers:

1. If you know how to find your Windows Update application in Control Panel, find it and double-click.
2. Download all the recommended updates, as well as any optional updates you see.
3. You may need to restart your computer.

If you can't find or would rather not use Windows Update:

1. Go to Windowsupdate.Microsoft.Com
2. Follow the instructions you are given.
3. Be sure and choose all optional updates, as well as the urgent and recommended ones.
4. If prompted, reboot your computer immediately so that the driver updates can take effect.

Would You Rather Download and Install Driver Updates Automatically?

Driver update software allows you to "set and forget" your driver update process. This software will update your drivers as often as you tell it to, and you won't have to worry about installing the wrong ones.

Driver Resource Links

• This Wikipedia page explains drivers and driver updates so that you'll know what you are dealing with.
• The Windows Update Page should be your first stop when you are ready to download driver updates for your Windows computer.

Video Link for General Driver Updates

Here’s another great one from eHow on updating device drivers.