How to check for drivers for free?


  1. Posts : 17
    windows 10 pro
       #1

    How to check for drivers for free?


    How can I find out all the driver I have and find out if there are any new ones available. I was wondering if there are any free programs that can check my pc for me.

    Any ideas please.
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 24
    Windows 10 Pro X64
       #2

    You can manually check, using device manager to see if their are missing devices, or problematic devices.
    It is suggested that you do not use 3rd party apps for driver updates, as windows update should do the job, besides a few other specifics which according to your rig i don't think you will run into.
    If you really want to use a 3rd party app, then i have used this one before just to see how it works, it safely worked for me.
    Download Driver Booster 2 Free, the most Effective Driver Updater, to Update Drivers in ONE Click - IObit
    Once again, if the drivers work and are not problematic its suggested to leave them alone unless you want to take advantage of the latest gaming software, etc.
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 5,833
    Dual boot Windows 10 FCU Pro x 64 & current Insider 10 Pro
       #3

    Hello, dawnrenee1988. Welcome to Windows Ten Forums.

    In addition in case you don't know how to open Device Manager press the Windows key and start typing Device Manager then press Enter. When Device Manager opens check at the left. If there are problem devices then a yellow warning triangle will appear. If you see one report back here.
      My Computers


  4. Posts : 2,799
    Linux Mint 20.1 Win10Prox64
       #4

    In addition in case you don't know how to open Device Manager press the Windows key and start typing Device Manager then press Enter
    Faster if you right click on start button or Win+X then select Device Manager

    How to check for drivers for free?-2015-08-09_19-15-40.jpg
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 3,502
    Win_8.1-Pro, Win_10.1607-Pro, Mint_17.3
       #5

    dawnrenee1988 said:
    .....
    I was wondering if there are any free programs that can check my pc for me.
    This is how people end up with BSODs.
    The only time you need to update a driver is if there is an issue with the current driver.

    Since Windows 7, MS has been doing a great job providing drivers that work with Windows. Windows 8 was nearly perfect in that area and Win10 is carrying that effort forward.

    I strongly recommend NOT using a third party driver finder. Let Windows manage the drivers.

    If and only if there is a feature that you absolutely need in a newer driver, then and only then can you test install it. If it causes issues you can roll back to the previous driver. This way you control what gets installed, not a 3rd party 'helper' that cause issues on some machines.

    If you really get stuck, TenForums has a bunch of folks that are volunteering their time to help other members.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 5,833
    Dual boot Windows 10 FCU Pro x 64 & current Insider 10 Pro
       #6

    topgundcp said:
    Faster if you right click on start button or Win+X then select Device Manager
    It is eh?
      My Computers


  7. Posts : 79
    Windows 10 Pro
       #7

    Windows update is not perfect and won't work with (legacy) devices that are no longer supported or messing up current working drivers. In which case, you will need to roll back, have backups of installers or drivers in place (in case a manufacturer ceases operations) or directly from manufacturer support pages. And as others said, only update drivers if you are experiencing issues with the current one. Otherwise, just leave it well enough alone. If it ain't broke, don't fix it...
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 2,935
    Windows 10 Home x64
       #8

    You could copy & paste the VEN and DEV ids (from hardware manager) into

    DevID.info – free driver search and update utility
    PCI Vendor and Device Lists
      My Computer


 

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