Do You Have To Register When Installing Driver Updates On Your Lap Top?

How to update drivers

Image of a sticky note on a PC asking you to update.

(Epitome credit: dorisj, Getty)

Keeping your drivers up to engagement may be a hurting, simply it's something nosotros all have to do. Information technology's not e'er clear how to update your drivers, specially for those without a good base in It knowledge, and with all those site out there just waiting to deploy malicious software with genuine Nvidia signature codes. But in that location is a correct style to ago nearly updating drivers, to ensure a smoothen update procedure.

This guide will give you the tools you need to confidently update the most common types of drivers, and even includes some full general tips for dealing with any problems that may arise. This guide is geared towards gaming PCs, simply nigh of it applies to any Windows computer.

How to update Nvidia drivers

If your PC has an Nvidia GeForce graphics card, y'all definitely want to keep the drivers updated. New releases ofttimes include operation enhancements for new games, or fixes for problems caused by Windows updates.

There used to exist a tool called Nvidia Update located in the Nvidia control panel, only with the advent of GeForce Experience, that option has been removed. The Nvidia control panel is still installed automatically when you gear up up Nvidia's drivers, just you'll need to update the drivers through GeForce Experience or manually download and install the driver from Nvidia'southward website.

Screenshot of the Nvidia GeForce experience UI. — (Image credit: Nvidia)

To update from the GeForce Feel launcher, log in (create an account if you don't have 1 already), click on the Drivers tab at the top left, then Bank check for Updates on the right. The do good of having GeForce Experience installed on your PC is that it volition automatically check for updates and alert you lot if in that location is a new commuter available.

Simply if you don't like the thought of logging into GeForce Experience every fourth dimension you demand to install a driver update, you can become to Nvidia's driver page to manually download the latest bachelor commuter version.

Something else to consider is the selection to do a clean install of the drivers, which is an pick on both AMD and Nvidia installers if you choose the custom installation option.

Finally, if yous are switching GPU brands, or if you run into other issues and merely want to clean out your system, we recommend using Brandish Driver Uninstaller to completely wipe any AMD, Intel, and/or Nvidia GPU driver remnants from your system. Sometimes it'due south the only fashion to be sure.

Be conscientious to click on the Official Download Hither link when grabbing DDU, and non the Update Display Driver push, as the latter isn't what we're talking about.

How to update AMD drivers

In much the same way every bit Nvidia'south drivers, AMD's commuter software is supposed to automatically check for updates in the background and give you an alert when anything is available. Simply if that's non happening, or yous simply want to exist sure, here'due south how to check for an update (and install it) manually:

Right-click on the Windows desktop and select AMD Radeon Settings from the menu.
Click the Updates button at the bottom-left of the window.
Click the Check for updates box.

Screenshot of AMDs driver update page. — (Image credit: AMD)

If an update is available, y'all'll see all the available versions. AMD sometimes releases optional updates for those who want the latest and greatest, but virtually people should stick to the recommended drivers. Click Recommended, so select Express upgrade.

If you can't get the Radeon Settings to appear at all, something may be corrupted with your drivers. To fix that, just caput to AMD'due south support website and download the advisable drivers for your graphics menu. A fresh install should sort out any problems you may be experiencing.

Again, clean install may exist a better selection if you feel any weirdness or reduced functioning (it'south happened to u.s., multiple times). And DDU is always in that location if you lot need to pull out the sledgehammer.

How to update drivers for peripherals (mice, keyboards, etc.)

Nearly keyboards, mice, microphones, controllers, so on employ the same generic USB interface for advice, and then they usually don't demand any additional drivers out of the box (and the generic drivers are handled by Windows Update).

Nonetheless, if you purchase an accompaniment designed to exist customizable, similar mice or keyboards with extra buttons, so you might need the proper desktop software for the accessory. There should be some indication on the accessory'south box or product folio about what awarding is needed for full functionality, but here are some examples:

Logitech Gaming Software: For customizing controls, lights, and more for well-nigh Logitech 'G' gaming products.
Logitech Options: Configuration tool for most of Logitech's non-gaming mice, keyboards, and other accessories.
Corsair iCue: Modify lighting furnishings, keyboard macros, and more than for most Corsair products.
Razer Synapse: A unified configuration tool for Razer accessories, laptops, keyboards, and more than.

Every bit a full general warning, always download the required software from the manufacturer's website, not from a rehosting site. Some rehosting sites like to bundle bloatware, or malware, or other extraneous software when you install the drivers.

How to update everything else

The built-in Windows Update service on your PC generally keeps most of your drivers up to date in the background. Unless you lot use a niche device that doesn't offer updates through Windows Update, you normally don't have to worry about keeping drivers up to date.

To check for any updates for your PC, including commuter updates, follow these steps:

Click the Start button on the Windows taskbar
Click the Settings icon (it'south a small gear)
Select Updates & Security then click Check for updates.

Spiral sports, Katie would rather watch Intel, AMD and Nvidia go at it. She tin often be establish admiring AI advancements, sighing over semiconductors, or gawping at the latest GPU upgrades. She's been obsessed with computers and graphics since she was small, and took Game Fine art and Design up to Masters level at uni. Her thirst for absurd Raspberry Pi projects will never be sated, and she volition cease at zippo to spread internet rubber awareness—down with the hackers.