How To Update Drivers on Windows 11

Driver updates are not necessary if your PC is working just fine. However, external hardware, such as video cards, needs regular updating for better performance and huge speed gains. Below is a guide to help you learn the easy steps to update drivers for all hardware on your Windows 11.

Install Updates on Windows Update

Luckily, Windows 11 PCs have an automatic built-in Windows Update that facilitates minor-but-necessary updates to all components. Notably, some driver updates in Windows Update come as “Optional Updates,” and you should only install them when addressing a known issue. If your PC has USB, touchpads, or any other hardware problem, follow these steps to check for important updates.

1. Open “Settings” (Windows+i).
2. Click “Windows Update.”

3. Open “Advanced Options.”
4. Select “Optional Updates.”
5. Tap the “Driver Updates” section to expand.

Browse through the drivers, if any, and mark essential driver updates.

6. Click “Download & Install.”

Note that you may need to reboot your PC for the installation to take effect.

Update Drivers Via Windows Update

Device Manager also enables you to update or switch drivers for specific hardware in your Windows 11 PC. So, if you’re using a video card through a built-in Windows driver, it may be a great time to switch.

1. Open “Device Manager.”
2. Browse all the installed devices in the Device Manager window.
3. Right-click on the target hardware.

4. Select “Update Driver.”

Here, you’ll be required to “Search for drivers automatically,” meaning that your PC will search Windows and install updates.” Alternatively, you can select “Browse my PC for drivers” if you already have drivers in your PC or external storage and follow the few on-screen steps.

5. Select “Pick from Available Drivers” to choose from a list of all the available driver updates on the PC.
6. Select your preferred update
7. Click “Next”

An up-to-date Windows 11 PC will show “Best drivers already installed,” meaning that no update is necessary.

8. Close the Device Manager and reboot your PC to activate your new drivers.

Download Updated Drivers

If you don’t find the required driver in Windows Update, the best bet would be to find the device manufacturer’s website. The drivers are under the “Support” section in most cases, consisting of updates and downloads. 

Due diligence is crucial here as you’re likely to encounter scam sites that provide malware instead of drivers. 

Once you’ve located a genuine manufacturer site, follow these steps to update the driver.

1. Download the driver package from the device manufacturer
2. Extract it
3. Select “Install” or “Setup.”
4. Click “Run” on the pop-up message.

Once you run it, it will automatically install the updated driver and probably ask for a reboot, after which the drivers will take effect. Most of these sites incorporate a utility for quick driver updates in the future.

Driver updates are crucial when you want to eke out performance in your Windows 11 PC. While driver updates seek to address a specific problem, updating drivers isn’t the only solution to every issue you encounter with your PC. Follow the driver -updates steps provided here to maintain top-notch PC performance, speed, and experience.