Applies ToWindows 7

Support for Windows 7 ended on January 14, 2020

We recommend you move to a Windows 11 PC to continue to receive security updates from Microsoft.

Learn more

You can check Windows Update any time to see if it's found updated drivers for your hardware, especially if you recently installed a new device. Then, you can install the updated drivers. Here's how:

  1. Open Windows Update by clicking the Start button Start button icon. In the search box, type Update, and then, in the list of results, click Windows Update.

  2. In the left pane, click Check for updates. If there are any available updates, click the links to see more information about each update. Windows Update tells you if an update is important, recommended, or optional. Each type of update might include drivers.

  3. On the Select the updates you want to install page, look for updates for your hardware devices, select the check box for each driver that you want to install, and then click OK. There might not be any available driver updates.

  4. On the Windows Update page, click Install updates  Administrator icon. If you're prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation. Windows Update will tell you if the updates were successfully installed.

Notes: 

  • Some updates require you to restart your computer.

 

To automatically get available driver updates for your hardware, set Windows to install recommended updates. You can set Windows to automatically install important and recommended updates or important updates only. Optional updates aren't downloaded or installed automatically. To get all available updates for your devices, periodically check Windows Update for optional updates. 

 

  1. Open Windows Update by clicking the Start button Start button icon. In the search box, type Update, and then, in the list of results, click Windows Update.

  2. In the left pane, click Change settings.

  3. Under Important updates, click an item in the list. You can decide which updates to automatically download and install.

  4. Under Recommended updates, select the Give me recommended updates the same way I receive important updates check box, and then click OK Administrator icon. If you're prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation. You can also allow anyone using your computer to install updates by selecting the Allow all users to install updates on this computer check box.

It's best to let Windows install device drivers automatically. But if Windows can't find a driver for your device, you can look for a driver on the device manufacturer's website. Driver updates are often available in the support section of such sites.

Once you find the updated driver, follow the installation instructions on the website. Most drivers are self-installing—after you download them, you usually just double-click the file to begin the installation, and then the driver installs itself on your computer.

Some devices have drivers that you need to install yourself. If you download a driver that isn't self-installing, follow these steps. (You must be logged on as an administrator to perform these steps.)

  1. Open Device Manager by clicking the Start button Start button icon, clicking Control Panel, clicking System and Security, and then, under System, clicking Device ManagerAdministrator icon If you're prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.

  2. In the list of hardware categories, find the device that you want to update, and then double-click the device name.

  3. Click the Driver tab, click Update Driver, and then follow the instructions.  Administrator icon If you're prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.

 

Need more help?

Want more options?

Explore subscription benefits, browse training courses, learn how to secure your device, and more.

Communities help you ask and answer questions, give feedback, and hear from experts with rich knowledge.

Find solutions to common problems or get help from a support agent.