Printers are listed as either having Windows 10 Web Package Availability (i.e. You can download Dell-made drivers via Drivers & Downloads), Windows 10 Drivers in CD (i.e. Windows 10 drivers for this printer were included on the installation disc that came with the printer), or Windows 10 Drivers in OS or Windows Update (i.e. Microsoft included the best drivers for this printer in Windows 10.
By default, Windows 10 automatically downloads and installs device driver software. But if you feel that a driver is not working, or Windows 10 has not updated the driver to the latest version automatically, you can manually update the driver with a few mouse clicks.
Windows 10 comes with an arsenal of drivers — software that lets Windows communicate with the gadgets you plug in to your PC. Normally, Windows automatically recognizes your new part, and it simply works. Other times, Windows heads to the Internet and fetches some automated instructions before. One can easily update the required driver by going to Device manager one by one. However, it would be very helpful if there are options to get all in one go. Here are few methods using which you can update all drivers in Windows 10 simultaneously. Driver updates for Windows 10, along with many devices, such as network adapters, monitors, printers, and video cards, are automatically downloaded and installed through Windows Update.
The best part is that you don’t need to manually figure out if a newer version of the driver is available. You neither need to manually download the driver.
The Device Manager in Windows 10 enables you to manually update device driver software with ease. It checks if a newer version of the driver available for a selected device and then downloads and installs it, if available.
If you have not stopped Windows 10 from automatically updating drivers, you likely have the latest version of the driver software. But sometimes, the latest version of a driver is not automatically installed. Some drivers take a good amount of time to appear on Windows Update.
For instance, a newer version of the driver was available for Intel Wireless adapter when we checked. So, it’s a good idea to manually update device drivers to make sure that the latest version of device drivers is installed on your computer.
Manually update drivers in Windows 10
Here are step-by-step directions to manually update a driver in Windows 10.
NOTE: Your computer must be connected to the internet in order to update drivers using this method.
Step 1: Open the Device Manager window by right-clicking on the Start button on the taskbar and then clicking on the Device Manager option.
Step 2: In the Device Manager window, expand the category tree under which the device whose driver you would like to update. In this guide, we are updating Intel Dual Band Wireless adapter which is located under the Network adapters tree. You can update any driver using this method.
Step 3:Right-click on the device whose driver you would like to update and then click Update driver option.
Step 4: Clicking on the Update driver opens the Update Drivers wizard. Here, click on Search automatically for updated driver software option.
Step 5: Windows 10 will search online to check if an updated version of the driver software is available. It’s worth noting that the Driver Update wizard won’t use Windows Update service to check for newer version of the selected driver. Rather, it will search online. So, drivers that are not available via Windows Update service can also be updated with this method.
If available, the driver will be downloaded and installed automatically. You will see “Windows has successfully updated your drivers” message.
If an update is not available, you will see “The best drivers for your device are already installed” message.
How to restore the previous version of a driver in Windows 10 guide might also interest you.
Technical Level : Intermediate
Summary
Windows 10 continues the tradition of hardware compatibility by providing support for a vast collection of devices available within the Windows ecosystem. Hardware detection in particular is an important part of the out of the box experience. Driver software which makes this happen, allows your hardware to function by communicating with the operating system. In this article, we take a look at installing and updating drivers in Windows 10.
Details
I recently installed Windows 10 on an HP Elitebook to see how well the most recent Windows 10 build performs. The Elitebook is a fairly recent model notebook which includes an assortment of hardware technologies. Out of the box though I did not get a complete system, for instance the Intel HD Graphics 3000 was not detected and I was instead limited to the Microsoft Basic Display Adapter.
Apart from this, I had wi-fi ready, which mean, I could connect to the Internet right away.
Installing drivers through Windows Update
Windows Update is the premier starting point to resolve most common driver issues you might experience immediately after installing Windows 10.
Simply launch it from Start > Settings > Update and Recovery and click Check for Updates
or
Press Windows key + R
Type: ms-settings:windowsupdate
Hit Enter
Click Check for updates (make sure you have an active Internet connection).
Immediately, Windows Update will detect your system configuration and download all the appropriate drivers for your system. As you can see in the above screenshot, my Intel HD 3000 Graphics was installed automatically. I did not even have to reboot the system. In addition to other hardware components were also detected and installed which includes my LAN adapter and card reader.
Important Drivers you should get after installing Windows 10.
When you perform a new install or upgrade, you should download the latest software drivers from the manufacturers website for your computer model. Important drivers include: Chipset, Video, Audio and Network (Ethernet/Wireless). For laptops, make sure you download the latest Touch Pad drivers. There are other drivers you will probably need, but you can often download these through Windows Update after have a working Internet connection setup.
How to find and download drivers from the manufacturers website:
Drivers can normally be found in the Support section from the manufacturers website where you will find a Software and Drivers sub-section. The method to find it will vary depending on the brand. You can go to your favorite search engine then enter the following query 'model and make drivers download' example: 'hp 8460p drivers download'. This will often provide a direct link.
Normally, you might not find native Windows 10 drivers. If this is the case, use the latest Windows drivers available for your model. So if they only have Windows 7 drivers, try using those. Make sure you download the right drivers for your architecture (32 or 64 bit).
Proceed to download the appropriate drivers after selecting your version of Windows. The manufacturer might list two versions of the driver, always choose the latest.
Again, the procedures will vary, but as long as you can find the drivers and download section, normally available within Support, you should be able to get to the drivers. If you are reading this before upgrading, try having the essential drivers in advance.
Install drivers using Device Manager
If your driver was not detected or installed by Windows Update, you can try installing the driver manually if you have a compatible version. Windows 10 and previous versions of Windows such as Windows 7 share the same driver model, so it should work.
Press Windows key + X
Click Device Manager
Once device manager is open, select the device, right click it and click Update Driver Software
This will launch the update driver software wizard, which presents two options.
- Search automatically for updated driver software - its possible Windows might have the driver software if you have not checked it yet, if its taking too long, then the next option is usually best.
- Browse my computer for driver software - if there is a compatible driver and you already have the driver files, then all you need to do is point to it and Windows automatically install it for you.
Here I have selected to use an existing driver, browse to where the driver is located on your computer, whether that is a partition, network share, thumbdrvie or install disc. Make sure the option to Include subfolders is checked.
Click Next and wait while the wizard completes the installation.
Using Compatibility Mode to Resolve Driver problems
If both Windows Update and driver update prove unsuccessful, the next option is Troubleshoot Compatibility. Troubleshoot Compatibility provides a simple way to make older drivers work under modern versions of Windows by making the driver believe it is being installed on a supported version of Windows.
The first thing you need to do is point where the setup files are located. If you are installing from a thumb drive or CD/DVD. Launch File Explorer (Windows key + E) and open the location where the setup files are stored.
Right click the setup file for the program, this can be designated as setup.exe or something similar. Click Troubleshoot Compatibility
This will launch the Program Compatibility Troubleshooter wizard which will check for issues.
Select the option “Troubleshoot program”
Depending on the problems you are experiencing when attempting to install or use the software, check off the problems. In my case:
Delete Device Drivers Windows 10
- ‘The program worked in earlier versions of Windows but won’t install or run now’
- The program requires additional permissions.
Click Next
Select a version of Windows the program is known to work in. I notice the program works great in Windows Vista (with Service Pack 2), so I will select that option. Click Next
Proceed to run the through the programs setup routine by clicking Test the program….
Follow the on screen instructions to install the program as you normally would.
If all is successful, click the option at the end of the wizard ‘Yes, save these settings for this program’
Wait while your settings for the program are saved.
Click Close.
If you have a driver such as your video card automatically installing upon completion of installation and checking for Windows Update, try disabling automatic driver installation using the instructions in the following thread:
Go to the hardware developers website, download the appropriate driver for your model then install in compatibility mode using the instructions above.
How to install your printer:
Device Drivers Windows 10 Or Manufacturer
Resources: