How to download drivers from disk to computer. Installing drivers on Windows

To maintain normal operation of your computer, you need to update drivers from time to time, but searching for and installing them manually is tedious and time-consuming. And why? After all, this work is easy to automate. Today we will look at the ten best programs for updating drivers on PCs and laptops of any brands and models.

Intel Driver Update Utility Installer is a proprietary utility for searching and updating drivers for any Intel product (processors, system logic, network devices, drives, server components, etc.). Compatible with Windows XP, 7, and newer editions of this system.

The utility automatically recognizes the PC hardware on which it is installed. Checking for new driver versions on the Intel website is done by clicking the “Search” button, downloading and installing at the user’s request.

In addition, the Intel Driver Update Utility Installer allows you to find and download drivers for any other Intel devices you choose from the list (“Search manually” option).

The developers warn that the application installs only standard drivers that do not take into account the characteristics of a particular brand of computer. Therefore, before you launch it, you should visit the website of the manufacturer of your PC or laptop and check if there is anything suitable there.

AMD Driver Autodetect

AMD Driver Autodetect is a similar proprietary tool from AMD. Designed to keep drivers for video cards of this brand up to date (except AMD FirePro).

After installation, the utility will monitor the relevance of video drivers and ensure they are updated in a timely manner. It automatically detects the model of the video card installed on the PC, as well as the bit depth and version of the operating system. Once launched, it checks to see if there is a new driver on the AMD website. If there is one, it reports it and offers to download it. To begin the installation, the user just needs to confirm his consent by clicking on the “Install” button.

AMD Driver Autodetect is also available exclusively in Windows version.

NVIDIA Update

NVIDIA Update is a proprietary Windows utility for installing drivers on NVIDIA devices. Like AMD Driver Autodetect, it independently recognizes hardware models and checks for the availability of the latest driver on the manufacturer's website. The decision about installation remains with the user.

DriverPack Solution

DriverPack Solution is a lifesaver for service engineers, system administrators and those who earn extra money by providing installation services for Windows and programs. The application is a huge collection of drivers for devices of various brands and models, as well as a module for installing them.

DriverPack Solution is released in two versions - online and offline.

• The online distribution is intended for use on a PC that has an Internet connection. Its difference is its small file size (285 Kb). After launch, the program scans Windows for installed drivers and the relevance of their versions, after which it connects to the database (on its own server) and performs automatic updates.
• The offline distribution (size 10.2 Gb) is intended for installing drivers on a machine not connected to the Internet. In addition to the installer, it includes a database of 960,000 drivers for Windows 7, XP, Vista, 8 (8.1) and 10, both 32 bit and 64 bit. After launch, the scanning module recognizes device types and installs drivers from its own offline database.

The online version of DriverPack Solution is convenient for regular home use. In addition to monitoring the relevance of drivers, it gives the user the opportunity to automatically install and update individual applications, remove software junk, view a list of equipment, information about the operating system and computer security.

The offline version is an emergency solution. Its task is to select not the best, but simply the appropriate driver to start the device. And in the future update it via the Internet.

DriverPack Solution and the proprietary utilities listed above are completely free.

Driver Genius

Driver Genius is a universal driver management tool. The latest edition of the program is the sixteenth, optimized for Windows 8 and 10, but can also run on older systems.

In addition to updating the versions of installed drivers, Driver Genius can:

• Create backup copies of drivers and save them in the form of archives - regular and self-extracting, as well as in the form of an installer program (exe). To restore from a backup, you do not need to use Driver Genius.
• Remove unused and faulty drivers.
• Display information about computer hardware.

The backup function is a real treasure for those who often reinstall Windows. However, the program itself is not a gift: the cost of one license is $29.95. You can use it for free for only 30 days.

Snappy Driver Installer

Snappy Driver Installer is an application created by one of the developers of DriverPack Solution and has a lot in common with the latter. Also available in two versions: SDI Lite and SDI Full.

• The SDI Lite option is a module for recognizing devices and searching for suitable drivers on the Internet. Its size is 3.6 Mb. It does not have its own base.
• The SDI Full option is an installation module plus a base (31.6 Gb). Designed to install drivers regardless of Internet access.

Features of Snappy Driver Installer:

• Works without installation (portable version only, can be run from a flash drive or DVD).
• Completely free - no premium features or ads.
• With an improved selection algorithm, which is based on the “do no harm” principle.
• Features high scanning speed.
• Before installing the driver, it creates a system restore point.
• Allows you to change design themes according to the user's choice.
• Multilingual (there is a version in Russian, Ukrainian and other national languages).
• Adapted for Windows 10.

Driver Booster

iObit Driver Booster is an application loved by fans of computer games. It is produced in editions Free - free, and Pro - paid. The cost of subscription to the latter is 590 rubles per year.

Driver Booster has one single function - scanning the system for outdated drivers and installing updates in one click. And not simple updates, but (according to the developers) tuned to improve the performance of games.

is a free and very simple utility for installing and updating PC drivers based on Windows 7, 8 and 10. Its database includes only original, signed drivers from the official websites of equipment manufacturers.

The application is designed for users with no experience. Russian language support, a minimum of settings and one-button control virtually eliminate the possibility of something being confused or broken. And if the new driver turns out to be unsuitable, DriverHub will remove it from the system and replace the old one.

All DriverHub features:

• Search for missing ones, update outdated drivers and additional software. Automatic installation.
• Simple and expert operating mode. In expert mode, the user can select a driver from several available ones; in simple mode, the program itself selects the optimal version.
• Daily updating of the driver database.
• Storing download history.
• Restore - rollback drivers to previous versions.
• Displays basic information about your computer.
• Launch Windows system utilities from its interface.

DriverMax Free

DriverMax is a free, simple, English-language utility whose main purpose is to update drivers. Unlike other free applications, it has another useful option - creating a system rollback point and a backup of installed drivers of the user's choice. As well as restoring from a backup.

After installation, DriverMax persistently reminds you that it would be a good idea to register on the site and buy a paid license with advanced functions, one of which is fully automatic operation. Annual use starts at $10.39.

Driver Magician

Driver Magician is the last hero of today's review. In the recent past, I had 2 versions, one of which was free. Nowadays there is only a paid one with a 13-day trial period. The license cost is $29.95.

There is no Russian language in Driver Magician, but it is not difficult to use. The range of features is approximately the same as in Driver Genius:

• Scan and update.
• Creating backup copies of drivers with the ability to restore both using and without using the program (the backup is saved as a zip archive or an installer application).
• Uninstalling the driver.
• Backup and restore of individual user folders - Internet Explorer Favorites, Desktop and Documents, as well as the system registry (in one file).
• Identification of devices unknown to the system.

During the trial period, the program is fully functional. Compatible with any version of Windows.

That's probably all. Choose what you like best and use it.

You probably need to start an article on the topic “how to install a driver” with what a driver is and why it is needed at all. A driver is a special program that allows your operating system to work with a device. For example, a video card, modem, printer, network card and much more. In other words, whatever you plug into your computer won't work unless you install a specific driver for that particular device.

A little background

Previously, although there are still such things today, users of the Windows XP operating system (of course, this includes all previous versions of the OS) had to manually install each driver. That is why various questions arose about this: “how to install the driver”, “where to get the driver” and others.

Let's consider this question - “how to install a sound driver?” To do this, you need the disk that came with the motherboard. In general, when purchasing any device, a driver disk should be included in the package.

If you do not have this disk for any reason (lost, it was not there when you purchased it, or it is damaged, etc.), you will need to determine the exact name of your video card and then download the corresponding driver on the Internet.

If you cannot determine the name, then take some assembly of Windows into which enthusiasts have built a set of drivers and programs.

Current situation

The developers of Windows 7 have solved the problem of many people with installing drivers. Now, the drivers are installed automatically. The system determines which devices are available and installs drivers for them. We are talking about the most basic devices: video card, sound. You will have to install drivers for a modem, printer, etc. yourself.

How to install the driver manually?

There are several ways to install. First, we need to find a driver anyway. If there is no disk, then download it from the Internet. If you don't know the exact name of the device, then Everest. In it you can find out detailed information about your computer as a whole.

After we have found out the exact model of the device, download the driver. Next, let's proceed with the installation.

You can start the installation by clicking on the executable file. For example, setup.exe.

If you only downloaded the driver, then only that will be installed. But if you are using the disk that came with the device, then most likely you will be prompted to install some utilities, programs, components, etc.

If you install a driver on a video card, you will be prompted to install DirectX and PhysX.

If you just downloaded only the driver, then you will install only that and nothing more. Everything else will have to be hung separately.

How to install a driver using a file.inf?

You can also install using a special .inf file that stores installation information.

In theory, in order not to suffer for a long time with the installation, after downloading the driver, reconnect the device or restart the computer. As soon as the system sees the device without a driver, the installation wizard will immediately appear, with which you can easily install all the necessary files.

It can be done differently. Open the properties of your computer. There you need to find the item "Devices" or "Device Manager". We find the required device. It's easy to find because when a device doesn't have a driver, it displays a question mark.

Right-click on the mouse and select “Install driver” or “Update” from the menu that opens. Then everything will be simple (using the Driver Installation Wizard).

Follow the instructions of this wizard and you will succeed.

If you can’t install the driver, it means you downloaded the wrong thing (for example, for another operating system).

This is one of the most common questions asked on the Internet in numerous forums not only by beginners, but also by quite experienced users of personal computers. In fact, there is nothing complicated about installing any driver. You just need to remember the typical set of actions that are used to install any driver.

The driver can be installed using two methods. This:

Installing the driver as a regular program;
comprehensive driver installation.

Easy driver installation

Since, at its core, any driver is a regular program for the operating system, its installation can be done in exactly the same way. That is, if the driver installation file looks like “Install.exe” or “Setup.exe”? then there should be no problems with its installation.

The only problem that may arise when installing a driver using this method is that your operating system refuses to recognize the equipment connected to the computer. This indicates that the driver installed for the hardware is not suitable for it. In this case, you need to download the driver from the official website of the equipment manufacturer. Before downloading the driver, make sure that it is suitable for your hardware. Any manufacturer of computer components and equipment indicates for which model and series of hardware a specific driver is developed. Typically, this situation occurs when, when connecting new equipment, a PC user tries to install an outdated version of the driver.

Comprehensive driver installation

This method of installing drivers is a little more complicated than the previous one, but if you remember the sequence of steps below, you will be able to install absolutely any driver for any equipment.

1. First, click on the button “ Start", select the item " My computer", right-click on it and select " Properties ».

3. In the window that appears, select the device connected to the computer for which you need to install the driver. Devices without drivers are indicated by special yellow icons (question marks). Select the device and right-click on it. Go to the menu item “ Properties ».

4. Select the item “ Driver" and click on the button " Update ».

5. The system will prompt you to search for the required driver on the Internet. We need to click on the button " No, not this time", and then " Further ».

6. In the next window of the driver installation manager, select “ Search for the most suitable driver in the specified locations" and subparagraph " Include next search location" After that, click “ Review" and select the folder or disk where the required driver is located.

That's all. Your Windows will automatically find the necessary driver and install it.

Important! If you are going to reinstall the driver for a particular piece of equipment. First, it’s better to delete its old version using “ Device Manager", and then install the new version in a way convenient for you.

Source

After reinstalling the Windows OS, regardless of the version, many users begin to have problems with the functionality of the computer - there is no Internet connection, no sound, problems with the operation of multimedia and a number of extensions. The reason in this case is the lack of drivers necessary for the correct and productive operation of a PC or laptop. How do you find out what drivers are needed for your computer?

Using the computer's capabilities

So, you have installed the operating system and there is no special program at hand that could determine the necessary drivers. And you are unlikely to remember the name and serial number of the model of the network adapter, monitor, video card or peripheral devices. How to find out what drivers are needed for a laptop or PC? You need to do the following:

Similar actions are performed with all drivers. After you download them, you can run them on your PC or laptop to install the necessary drivers.

We use special programs

We looked at how to find out which drivers need to be installed without the help of third-party programs. But what to do when the drivers are outdated and do not work correctly? In this case, you need to find out about the need for such updates. How do you know which drivers need to be updated and what is the fastest way to install them? To do this, you can use the following programs:

• Driver Booster. The program allows you to quickly scan your PC for drivers and their update dates. It is possible to work in the background, as well as update all drivers with one button. Shows which drivers are the most important and need to be updated first.
• Driver Genius Pro. A convenient utility, but due to the English-language service, it is not very popular in domestic countries. However, updating and scanning drivers is just a click of a button.
• Driver Pack Solution. Does not require Internet access to check drivers and their updates. After checking, it produces a full report on missing or outdated drivers.

Today you can find dozens of similar programs on the Internet. Note that each user himself determines which of them will be the most convenient to use for him personally, however, the above are worth paying attention to.

FAQ

Q: What drivers are most needed?

A: Everything, but first of all - Ethernet controller and other network adapter drivers, because without it the Internet does not work and finding drivers for other devices becomes more difficult.

Q: Where can I download drivers?

A: First of all, on official sites, and then only on proven, old sites like driver.ru, driveridentifier.com or getdrivers.net.

Q: What if I can't find the driver?

A: Use programs that will do this automatically.

Q: I don’t have Internet access, how can I download drivers?

Hello dear visitors. After installing the operating system, in most cases this is Windows 7, the question arises, what to do next, what needs to be configured and installed? I can’t even count how many times I’ve installed Windows 7 and I’ve already developed a habit whereby I set up the newly installed operating system and install the most essential programs for an average user.

Now I will tell you what you need to do first after installing the Windows 7 operating system.

Right click on the icon "My computer" on the desktop, and select “Properties”. At the bottom of the page there will be information on activating the OS. If you see the message that Windows 7 is activated, then everything is ok, you can move on to another item.

Well, if you see messages like “XX days left. to complete the activation.” Then you need to activate the operating system. I think you know how to do it :). There should be no problems activating Windows 7 now.

And one more thing, if a computer “wizard” installs your operating system, be sure to check whether it is activated. I have seen cases where no one activates anything, probably in order to get a client again after 30 days.

If everything is normal, and all devices are recognized by the system, then you will see something like this:

If there are unidentified devices, or problems with some drivers, they will be displayed with yellow exclamation marks.