Automatically get recommended and updated hardware drivers

Summary

Windows can automatically download recommended drivers for the hardware and devices connected to a system by using Windows Update. Using the latest updated drivers makes sure all the hardware and devices work properly.

Drivers

A driver is software that allows a Windows device to communicate with hardware devices. Without drivers, devices that connect to a Windows device doesn't know how to communicate with Windows and they don't work properly. Examples of devices that use drivers to communicate with a Windows device:

• Mice.

• Keyboards.

• Printers.

• Scanners.

• External drives.

• Video cards.

Get the driver updates using Windows Update

Windows 11 uses Windows Update to install recommended drivers automatically and lets you manually install optional driver updates when they’re available.

To manually install optional driver updates: 

1. Select Start and then select Settings > Windows Update > Advanced options.

   Open Windows Update Advanced options

2. Make sure Receive updates for other Microsoft products is turned On.

3. Under Additional options, select Optional updates.

4. If driver updates are listed, select the drivers you want to install, then select Download and install.

5. After all updates are finished installing, restart the Windows device by right-clicking on the Start menu and then selecting Shutdown or sign out > Restart. Restart the Windows device even if none of the updates required a restart.

Summary

Windows can automatically download recommended drivers for the hardware and devices connected to a system by using Windows Update. Using the latest updated drivers makes sure all the hardware and devices work properly.

Drivers

A driver is software that allows a Windows device to communicate with hardware devices. Without drivers, devices that connect to a Windows device doesn't know how to communicate with Windows and they don't work properly. Examples of devices that use drivers to communicate with a Windows device:

• Mice.

• Keyboards.

• Printers.

• Scanners.

• External drives.

• Video cards.

Get the driver updates using Windows Update

Windows 10 uses Windows Update to install recommended drivers automatically and lets you manually install optional driver updates when they’re available.

1. Select Start and then select Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update > Advanced options.

   Open Windows Update Advanced options

2. Make sure Receive updates for other Microsoft products when you update Windows is turned On.

3. Return to Windows Update, then select Check for updates.

4. If View optional updates appear:

   • Select View optional updates.

   • Select the driver updates you want to install.

   • Select Download and install.

5. After all updates are finished installing, restart the Windows device by right-clicking on the Start menu and then selecting Shutdown or sign out > Restart. Restart the Windows device even if none of the updates required a restart.