Driver update software

Driver update software comparison chart for 2024

Driver update software explained

Your computer may have hundreds of drivers, controlling everything from the screen, keyboard and mouse to your printer, scanner and webcam. Your computer accesses driver files constantly - for instance, to play sound through the soundcard or to display images on the screen.

Like other software on your computer, new versions of drivers are released regularly. They fix bugs that were in previous versions, make them run more efficiently and prevent hackers from exploiting weaknesses to break into your system. Sometimes, new drivers will even give you access to extra features.

Driver update software finds and installs new drivers for you. It scans your computer to check what drivers you have, then searches the internet for updates.

Using driver update software is much easier than keeping drivers updated manually. Unlike other software, drivers don’t warn you when they’re out of date. And because you may have hundreds, all from different manufacturers, checking them by hand is difficult. You have to visit lots of different websites, then locate the specific files you need - often from a confusing list.

Getting started with driver update software

It’s important you choose trustworthy driver update software, because it will be changing files which keep your computer running smoothly. Get software which takes backups before making any changes, so you can revert to the previous set up if anything goes wrong.

The best driver update software will cover all aspects of your system, allowing you to schedule updates automatically and ensuring you’re always using the latest, safest, most efficient drivers – without having to check them all manually.