There are times when you need to install drivers manually. Maybe you have a new device and you don’t have the driver software, or you need to install a new driver for an older device. Whatever the reason, you can install drivers manually.
Why you might need to install drivers manually
There are a few reasons why you might need to install drivers manually.
1. You don’t have the correct software installed.
2. The drivers you downloaded from the manufacturer or the computer manufacturer’s website don’t work.
3. Your computer is old and the drivers have been discontinued.
4. You need to update the drivers on your computer.
5. You need to install a new printer.
6. You need to reinstall your operating system.
7. You need to install a new hardware device.
8. You need to install a new software application.
9. You need to fix a problem with your computer.
How to find drivers for your device
- Locate the device on your computer by looking for a yellow exclamation point next to its name in Windows Explorer.
- Double-click the device’s icon to open its Properties window.
- Click the Hardware tab.
- Click the Device Manager button.
- Double-click the unknown device to open its Properties window.
- Click the Driver tab.
- Click the Update Driver button.
- Select the appropriate driver from the list.
- Click the OK button.
10. Close the Driver Properties window.
How to install drivers manually
- Make sure your computer is up to date with the latest drivers.
- Locate the device driver files for the device you are trying to install.
- Install the device driver files onto your computer.
- Reboot your computer.
- Test the device to make sure it is working.
Troubleshooting tips for manual installation
If you’re having trouble installing drivers manually, it’s probably because you’re not following the steps exactly. Here are some tips to help you get the drivers installed correctly:
1. Make a list of the drivers you need
Before you install any drivers, make a list of the ones you need. This will help you avoid trying to install drivers that you don’t need.
2. Do some research
Before you start installing drivers, do some research. This will help you find the drivers that are compatible with your computer and your operating system.
3. Go to the software manufacturer’s website
Sometimes drivers are available from the software manufacturer’s website. This is the best way to find drivers that are specific to your computer.
4. Check the manufacturer’s website
If the drivers are not available from the software manufacturer’s website, then you may have to search for them online.
5. Use a driver installation program
If you can’t find the drivers you need online or on the manufacturer’s website, you can try using a driver installation program. These programs often have a better selection of drivers.
6. Try different drivers
If you still can’t find the correct drivers, try different drivers. Sometimes you can find drivers that work better than the ones that came with your computer.
Where to find help for driver installation
- Windows Update
If you have automatic updating enabled, Windows will check for and install the latest drivers for your hardware. If you don’t have automatic updating enabled, you can manually search for and install the latest drivers from the Windows Update website.2. Driver Update Assistant
Driver Update Assistant is a free utility from Microsoft that can help you find and install the latest drivers for your hardware. Driver Update Assistant can be downloaded from the Microsoft website.3. Your hardware manufacturer’s website
Your hardware manufacturer’s website usually has the latest drivers for your hardware.
