Date in your Windows 11 machine? Keeping your drivers up-to-date can be a pain sometimes, but it’s key to making sure everything runs smoothly — whether it’s your graphics card, Wi-Fi, or sound system. Old drivers can cause strange glitches, crashes, or just slow things down. Luckily, Windows has gotten better at handling updates, but it still misses a few niche drivers now and then. Learning how to manually check or force an update can really save your bacon, especially if you’re troubleshooting or trying to get the best performance. Don’t stress — it’s easier than you think. Just a bit of patience and knowing where to look in Settings or Device Manager will do it.
How to Update All Your Drivers in Windows 11
Keeping your drivers up-to-date can fix bugs, give you a more stable machine, or squeeze out a bit extra performance. The main options are using Windows Update or updating manually via Device Manager. Sometimes, for some hardware, you’ll want to go straight to the manufacturer’s website — especially if you’re after the latest features or beta drivers. Here’s a quick guide on how to do it, along with some tips so you don’t muck things up.
Open Settings and Check for Windows Updates
- Hit the Start button and select Settings (or press Windows + I).
- Go to Windows Update (the sidebar).
- Click Check for updates. Windows will scan for system updates — including drivers it can handle automatically.
This is the easiest way for most hardware, especially if your PC isn’t too old. Windows is pretty good at grabbing driver updates in the background, so it’s worth doing this regularly. When updates are available, Windows will download and install them, sometimes prompting a restart. But beware: if your hardware is pretty niche, Windows Update might miss a few drivers.
Use Device Manager for a Manual Driver Jump-Start
- Right-click the Start button, then pick Device Manager.
- In Device Manager, you’ll see all your hardware listed. Expand the sections to find what you want to update — graphics cards, network adapters, sound devices, etc.
- Right-click the device and select Update driver.
- Pick Search automatically for updated driver software. Windows will check online for the latest drivers for that device.
This method comes in handy if you’re troubleshooting a device, or if Windows didn’t get the latest driver. Sometimes, particular hardware like graphics cards or motherboards has drivers that only come from the manufacturer’s site — like NVIDIA, AMD, Intel, or ASUS. Just be careful: downloading drivers from dodgy sites can cause more harm than good, so stick to trusted sources.
When to Head to the Manufacturer’s Website
If Windows Update or Device Manager can’t give you what you need, or you’re chasing beta or experimental drivers, it’s time to head straight to the hardware maker’s site. For example:
Download what they recommend, follow the installation steps, and give your PC a reboot. Usually, this sorts out weird hardware issues or unlocks new features.
If you’re updating drivers for gaming peripherals or niche gear, don’t forget to check out their support software or config tools. Some manufacturers have their own updater apps that can be more reliable than Windows or manual installs. But fair dinkum: steer clear of dodgy driver sites or sketchy third-party updater tools — they can cause more hassle than they’re worth.
Pro Tips for Updating All Your Drivers in Windows 11
- Stick to official sources: Only grab drivers from the manufacturer’s website or Windows Update. Avoid unknown download sites.
- Create a restore point: Before you do a big batch update, make a restore point via System Properties > System Protection > Create. Keeps you safe if something goes sideways.
- Check regularly: Make it part of your routine — once a month or after big Windows updates.
- Back up your data: Always a good idea. Driver updates can occasionally cause hiccups, so better safe than sorry.
- Be cautious with third-party tools: If you use driver updater apps, do your homework first. Some are alright, others can cause more problems than they solve.
FAQs
What exactly are drivers?
Drivers are like the translators between Windows and your hardware — printers, graphics cards, network gear, all that. Without them, your hardware can’t communicate with Windows properly.
Why bother updating drivers at all?
Old drivers can cause crashes, slowdowns, or hardware conflicts. Updating them can fix bugs, boost stability, and even add new features to your gear.
How often should I update drivers?
Best to check once a month or if something’s acting up. You don’t need to chase every new driver, but staying somewhat current keeps your machine happy.
Are outdated drivers dangerous?
They can be, especially if hardware misbehaves or errors pop up. Staying current with drivers generally makes your system more reliable.
Is updating drivers safe?
Yep, as long as you stick with Windows Update or official sites. Avoid sketchy third-party sources — they’re more likely to cause hassle.
Summary
- Open Settings and head to Windows Update.
- Click Check for updates — let Windows do its thing.
- Use Device Manager for specific device updates.
- Visit manufacturer sites for the latest or special drivers.
- Make backups and create a restore point before doing big updates.
Wrap-up