Updating all drivers at once on Windows 11 isn’t as complicated as it sounds, but kind of weird how Windows makes you go through hoops sometimes. Usually, most folks just jump into Settings and hope for the best, but what if that doesn’t pick up everything? That’s when you feel like you’re missing some crucial updates. Luckily, there are a few ways to speed this up and make sure everything’s current without spending hours doing it manually.
How to Update All Drivers at Once Windows 11
First off, the easiest way on Windows 11 is to use the built-in Windows Update. Behind the scenes, Windows is actually capable of fetching many driver updates along with system patches, but sometimes it misses the niche hardware drivers or older ones. Here’s the way to get that process going:
Step 1: Open Windows Settings
Click on Start and then go to Settings — or hit Win + I. It’s a quick shortcut. From there, head to Windows Update.
Windows Settings is where most of your system “health” gets managed. Think of it as the command center for updates, security, and troubleshooting.
Step 2: Go to Update & Security
Once in Settings, just click Update & Security. From here, most of the magic happens.
Step 3: Check for Updates
Click the Check for updates button. Windows goes out, scrapes the web, and tries to find everything that needs updating — OS, security patches, and if lucky, some drivers.
This is where I’ve seen some weird cases — sometimes drivers show up immediately, other times not so much. Windows is kind of flaky in that regard, and on some setups this fails the first time, then works after a reboot or a recheck. Honestly, a reboot can sometimes cause Windows to realize what it missed the first time around.
Step 4: Download and Install
If there are driver updates, Windows will let you click Download and Install. Sometimes, it’s just a matter of waiting for the download to finish, but keep an eye out—you might see optional driver updates listed in the optional updates section. To access those, click on View optional updates.
Step 5: Restart Your Computer
This last step is critical. Hit Restart now — or restart later if you want. Restarting ensures all those driver changes are correctly applied. Like, Windows has to restart to refresh the kernel’s connection to hardware drivers, or you might run into weird issues.
And that’s pretty much it. After all that, your system should be running the latest drivers, assuming Windows was able to find them in the first place. Not always perfect, but usually good enough for most users.
Tips for Updating All Drivers at Once Windows 11
- Sometimes, Windows Update doesn’t catch everything. If you’re still having hardware quirks or missing features, try third-party tools like Driver Booster. They scan deep, and on some machines, they find drivers Windows missed. Just be cautious and backup first!
- Update drivers regularly — not just when stuff breaks. It keeps hardware functioning smoothly and reduces bugs.
- If something breaks after a driver update, you can roll back in Device Manager. Find the device with the issue, right-click, go to Properties, then the Driver tab, and hit Roll Back Driver if available. Works more often than not, but it’s not a magic fix every time.
- Make sure your internet doesn’t cut out during updates. Nothing worse than a half-finished install messing up your drivers.
- For stubborn hardware or weird issues, downloading drivers directly from the manufacturer’s website can save your sanity. Think Realtek, Intel, AMD, NVIDIA — they often have newer drivers than Windows Update provides.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I update all drivers at once using third-party software?
Yep, some tools like Driver Booster or Driver Easy can do a deep scan and update lots of drivers automatically. They sometimes catch stuff Windows Update skips, especially older or obscure drivers.
Is it necessary to update drivers regularly?
Honestly, yes. Not every week, but every few months can help fix bugs, improve stability, and boost performance. Plus, security patches for some drivers matter too.
What if a driver update causes issues?
If stuff breaks after an update, just head into Device Manager, find the problematic driver, right-click, and choose Roll Back Driver if possible. Reverting to the previous version can fix spontaneous glitches.
Can updating drivers improve gaming performance?
Definitely, especially graphics drivers. Nvidia, AMD, Intel—they all push updates that optimize new games, fix bugs, and sometimes give you a few extra frames. Worth checking periodically.
How often should I check for driver updates?
Every month or two if you’re an avid gamer or use hardware that’s finicky. If everything just works, maybe quarterly is enough, but don’t forget to check if you notice weird issues.
Summary
- Open Windows Settings and go to Update & Security
- Click Check for Updates
- Download and install updates, including drivers if available
- Restart the system to finalize changes
- Consider third-party tools for deep driver scans if needed
Worked for me — hope it helps. Sometimes Windows is just unpredictable with drivers, but a few tricks and a reboot usually do the trick.