A driver is a communication software that couples the OS with a hardware device. By coupling, Windows identifies the device which facilitates the transfer of commands from operating system to the
device and inputs from the device to the operating system. E.g. Your speakers will not produce sound if the audio drivers are not activated.
A driver may have multiple versions. For the proper functioning to take place, the version of a driver must be compatible with the version of the operating system. Windows comes with some preinstalled drivers such as mouse-keyboard-monitor drivers, graphic card driver, hard disc driver, motherboard driver etc. while some drivers are installed by the user later depending on the device he wishes to use with the computer such as printer, scanner, data card, mobile drivers etc. Preinstalled drivers are regularly updated with Windows updates and can be found under the 'optional updates' section.
The Device Manager
In Windows, you will find all the driver suits are indexed under Device Manager. You can access Device Manager by one of the following ways:
• Start > Type Device Manager OR
• Right click Start > Select Device Manager from Power User Menu
• Open Cortana Search and speak "Device Manager" OR
• Right click This PC (My computer) > Manage > Under System Tools – Device manager OR
• Control Panel > System > Advanced System Settings > Hardware > Device Manager
Click the down arrow, right click on any driver, click on Properties and you get few important options, one must never forget:
• Update Driver – You may be required to do this during a compatibility issue
• Uninstall Driver – Sometimes, you may need to uninstall followed by reinstalling the device to sort the issue
• Roll Back Driver – When the new updates are not compatible and you wish to revert back to the old version
• Disable Device – This option makes the device unusable
Enable Driver Auto-Updates, If Disabled
Some users prefer to keep automatic driver updates disabled to save internet data. Go to the control panel and enable the option:
Control Panel > System > Advanced System Settings > Hardware > Device Installation Settings, and Enable Auto-Updating of Drivers
If you wish to have manual control over the driver update process, download WAU Manager . Enable the option : Automatically search for updates but ask before downloading.
Errors Associated with Device Manager
When a driver gets corrupted or a compatibility issue arises, you may get error messages, or error signs such as:
"This device is not configured correctly"
"Windows cannot identify the device"
"The driver for this device may be corrupted or disabled or not configured"
"An application or service has shut down this hardware device."
How to Troubleshoot Drivers?
Running Windows updates automatically updates and repairs the drivers. This is the best way to keep drivers in their finest condition as these updates are tested and tried before they are released. However, a driver may get corrupted. In such instance, you have a few options to get the driver running:
1. The defective driver shows an error mark on the icon. You can check the status of that particular driver by: Right click > Properties > General ~ Device status
Uninstall the driver and restart the computer. The OS will automatically pull the normal copy of the driver from its store file. No internet required.
2. If you have internet available, right click on the driver and click Update Driver. The device manager will download the latest version of the driver.
3. You can also download the driver from the manufacturer's website directly. By entering the Driver Provider's name and Driver Version (available under driver's properties) on Google, you can download that particular driver.
4. There are many third party utilities available for updating the drivers. Generally, the use of a third party program is discouraged for updating the drivers. Many people have reported issues with their drivers upon updating and you will see many conflicting opinions and ambiguity. If you are using 360 Security Antivirus, you will find a Driver Updater tool in its Toolbox. It is reasonably good. It has got an option of taking a back-up of your drivers also so that you can revert back to the original state if something goes wrong. If someone insists on using a third party utility, SlimDriver is a very good program and could be downloaded from its official website. If you are using a HP or Dell laptop, you have an added advantage of using an inbuilt multipurpose Support Assistant program which has a good number of diagnostic tools and an option of updating the drivers and OS, as well.
Previous Tutorials:
1. Introduction to Troubleshooting, Safe Mode and Event Viewer
2. Deleting Junk Files
3. Running a Malware Detection Scan Program
4. Repairing damaged files by SFC & DISM scans
5. Running CHKDSK (Checkdisc)
Next Tutorials:
6. Enabling and Creating SYSTEM RESTORE
7. Reviving Windows Using a Recovery Flash Drive
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