Updating all your drivers at once on Windows 11 isn’t rocket science, but it can be a bit of a dog’s breakfast sometimes how Windows makes you jump through hoops. Most Aussies just crack open Settings and cross their fingers, but what if that doesn’t pick up everything? That’s when you start feeling like you’re missing some crucial updates. No worries, though — there are a few ways to speed things up and make sure everything’s spot on without wasting hours doing it all manually.
How to Update All Drivers at Once on Windows 11
First off, the easiest way on Windows 11 is to use the built-in Windows Update. Beneath the surface, Windows can actually fetch loads of driver updates along with system patches, but sometimes it misses those niche hardware drivers or older ones. Here’s how to get that process rolling:
Step 1: Open Windows Settings
Click on Start and then head to Settings — or just tap Win + I. Quick as a flash. From there, jump to Windows Update.
Windows Settings is where most of your system’s “health” gets sorted out. Think of it as the command centre for updates, security, and troubleshooting.
Step 2: Go to Update & Security
Once in Settings, click Update & Security. That’s where the magic happens.
Step 3: Check for Updates
Hit the Check for updates button. Windows will go out, have a squiz, and try to find anything that needs updating — the OS, security patches, and, if it’s lucky, some drivers too.
This is where I’ve seen some weird stuff — sometimes drivers show up right away, other times they don’t. Windows can be a bit flaky like that, and on some setups, it might fail the first time, then work after a quick reboot or a recheck. Honestly, giving your PC a restart can sometimes jog Windows into realising what it missed the first go.
Step 4: Download and Install
If there are driver updates, Windows will let you click Download and Install. Sometimes, you just need to wait a bit for the download to finish, but keep an eye out—you might see optional driver updates listed in the optional updates section. To check those out, click on View optional updates.
Step 5: Restart Your Computer
This part’s a must-do. Hit Restart now — or restart later if you prefer. Restarting makes sure all those driver changes stick properly. Basically, Windows has to reboot to refresh the kernel’s connection to your hardware drivers, or you might run into odd issues down the track.
And that’s pretty much all there is to it. After all that, your system should be running the latest drivers — assuming Windows was able to find them in the first place. It’s not always perfect, but it’s usually good enough for most Aussies.
Tips for Updating All Drivers at Once on Windows 11
- Sometimes, Windows Update doesn’t catch everything. If you’re still dealing with hardware quirks or missing features, give third-party tools a crack, like Driver Booster. They scan deep and sometimes find drivers Windows missed. Just be sure to back up your system first!
- Update your drivers regularly — not just when something’s gone awry. It keeps your hardware smooth as, and bugs at bay.
- If a driver update causes grief, you can roll back in Device Manager. Find the device causing issues, right-click, select Properties, head to the Driver tab, and click Roll Back Driver if it’s available. It works more often than not, but it’s not a magic fix every time.
- Make sure your internet connection doesn’t drop out during updates. Nothing worse than a half-finished install mucking up your drivers.
- For stubborn hardware or odd problems, downloading drivers directly from the manufacturer’s website can save your bacon. Think Realtek, Intel, AMD, NVIDIA — they often have newer drivers than what Windows Update throws up.
FAQs
Can I update all drivers at once using third-party software?
Absolutely. Tools like Driver Booster or Driver Easy can do a thorough scan and update heaps of drivers automatically. They often find stuff Windows Update misses, especially older or less common drivers.
Do I really need to update drivers often?
Yeah, it’s worth doing every few months. Updates can iron out bugs, improve stability, and even give your performance a boost. Plus, some security patches also cover drivers.
What if a driver update causes trouble?
If things go pear-shaped after an update, head into Device Manager, find the problematic driver, right-click, and select Roll Back Driver if it’s an option. Going back to the previous version often sorts out any glitches.
Can updating drivers help with gaming performance?
For sure — especially graphics drivers. NVIDIA, AMD, Intel all push updates that optimise new games, fix bugs, and occasionally give you a few extra frames per second. Worth checking for updates now and then.
How often should I check for driver updates?
Every month or two should do the trick if you’re into gaming or using tricky hardware. If everything’s running sweet, maybe quarterly’s enough, but keep an ear out if weird issues pop up.
Summary
- Open Windows Settings and head to Update & Security
- Click Check for Updates
- Download and install any updates, including drivers if they appear
- Restart your PC to lock everything in
- If needed, use third-party tools for a deep dive into driver updates
That’s pretty much it — hope this helps. Windows can be a bit unpredictable with drivers sometimes, but a bit of patience and a quick reboot usually sorts it out. Cheers!