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Start with Windows Update. If it does not offer a driver you need, download it from the official support site for your computer or the device’s manufacturer. A scanner calling a driver “outdated” does not, by itself, mean you should update it or pay for a driver-updater program.
Do you need to update the drivers a scanner flagged?
Not necessarily. A driver is software that lets Windows communicate with particular hardware. Drivers can have bugs or security vulnerabilities, but that does not make every newer version necessary or appropriate to install.
Device Manager’s indication that a device is working does not tell you that its driver is the newest available. Conversely, a third-party scanner’s “outdated” label is not proof that an update is needed. If your computer and its devices are working normally, Ask Leo author Leo A. Notenboom’s practical advice is to leave the drivers alone unless you are troubleshooting a problem you suspect is tied to a particular device or driver. That is practical guidance, not a rule that updates never matter.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
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Where should you get a driver update?
| Source | Best used for | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Windows Update | Routine recommended drivers and optional drivers Windows offers | Microsoft says Windows 11 installs recommended drivers through Windows Update and makes optional driver updates available when offered. It does not promise every driver or the newest vendor release. |
| Computer manufacturer | Drivers for a laptop or branded computer, especially integrated hardware | Use the official support page for your exact computer model and Windows version. The maker may provide a driver package or direct you to a component maker. |
| Device or component manufacturer | A separate peripheral or component when a needed driver is not supplied by Windows Update or the computer maker | Use the official support page for the exact device or component model and check Windows compatibility. |
| Third-party driver scanner | Not recommended as the basis for deciding to update | A scan’s age label does not establish that an update is needed, and the driver’s source and currency may be unclear. Leo recommends avoiding this category rather than paying just because a program reports updates. |
How to check Windows Update first
In Windows 11, open Settings > Windows Update to check for updates. To look for an optional driver Windows offers, open Advanced options > Optional updates and inspect the available driver updates. Labels and menus can differ between Windows versions.
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Install a driver from this page when it addresses the device or problem you are dealing with. Microsoft’s guidance describes recommended drivers as installed automatically and optional driver updates as available for manual installation when offered. Windows Update may not have every driver or the newest release from a hardware maker.
When and how to use the manufacturer’s support site
If Windows Update does not provide a driver you need—for example, while troubleshooting a device problem—look on the official support site for the computer maker first if the hardware is built into a laptop or branded PC. For a separate peripheral or component, check its manufacturer’s official support page if the computer maker does not provide the needed driver.
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- Identify the exact computer, peripheral, or component model; similar product names can use different hardware.
- Confirm that the driver is for your version of Windows and the correct device.
- Follow the manufacturer’s installation instructions. Some computer makers supply drivers in a package or refer you to the component maker.
Microsoft Support likewise advises checking the hardware manufacturer’s website when Windows Update cannot find a driver or an updated driver compatible with your Windows version. Avoid choosing a download solely because a scanner says it is newer; first confirm that it comes from the official maker and applies to your model.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteWhat Device Manager can—and cannot—tell you
Device Manager helps you inspect hardware and troubleshoot whether a driver is installed or a device has a reported problem. A device shown as working does not mean its driver is the latest version. Nor does its update action necessarily search the same places as Windows Update.
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For Windows 10 version 2004 and later, Microsoft documents that Device Manager’s Update driver action searches the local computer. Windows Update’s optional-driver route is separate. Use Windows Update or the manufacturer’s support site to look for an appropriate update rather than treating Device Manager’s status as a current-version check.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Why not buy a driver-updater program?
There is no need to pay for a scanner merely because it lists drivers as outdated. Leo cautions that the source and currency of drivers offered by these utilities can be unclear and recommends avoiding the category. This is not a claim that every such utility is fraudulent; it is a reason to prefer Windows Update and official manufacturer support, where you can verify that a driver is intended for your hardware and Windows version.
Quick Recap
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