What Are Computer Drivers and Why Should You Update Them?

by Lucas Smith Technology Expert

If you've connected a peripheral to your computer, such as a webcam or printer, you may have noticed that it installed a driver. The computer may have even requested you to insert the CD or floppy disc holding its drivers in the days before portable media.

Today, you'll typically Drivers Update from the internet or from the built-in memory of a device. But, exactly, what is a driver? Why should you keep it up to date, anyway? Continue reading to learn more.

What Is a Device Driver and What Does It Do?

A software component is required for every component of your computer, from a network card to a keyboard to a one-of-a-kind equipment like a 3D printer.

When you push a key on your keyboard, for example, the driver turns the signal into an action that the operating system can understand. It will then convert this action into a command that will be executed by the application you're using.

Your computer will be unable to use any of the hardware attached to it unless a driver is installed, rendering it unusable.

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Where to Look for Attached Hardware on Your Computer?

You can discover your hardware drivers in Device Manager if you're using a Windows device. To access it, right-click the Start Menu button and select Device Manager from the menu that appears. The Device Manager window will open, displaying a list of all your computer's hardware.

The properties window for any of the devices in this list will open when you double-click on it. You can go to the Driver tab to examine the device's driver version, manually update it, or roll it back to a prior version.

Apple Menu > About This Mac is where Mac users may find their hardware. To see the Hardware Overview window, click System Report when the System Overview window opens. You can see all of the gear connected to your Mac from here.

Is it Necessary to Install Custom Drivers?

Both Windows and Mac OS X now have extensive driver support. When you connect most gadgets to your computer, they will operate right away. Adding peripherals is a breeze with this plug-and-play capabilities.

If you want to get the most out of your gadgets, though, you need look for drivers that support each piece of hardware separately. This is because custom drivers allow you to take advantage of the model's specific capabilities.

The following features could be included:

· Sound cards have a variety of audio modes.

· Graphics card compatibility has been improved.

· Webcams can be controlled manually

· Control RGB lighting on RGB-enabled devices.

Why Do You Need to Update Your Drivers So Often?

You didn't have to update your computer or its hardware in the past. While this may appear to be a straightforward solution, it actually causes extra problems and exposes your machine to security risks. There are a number of compelling reasons to update your drivers.

Keeping Up With Operating System Upgrades

Your previous peripheral drivers may no longer be totally compatible once you update your operating system. That implies your hardware will not perform as expected, and it may possibly stop working completely. Driver updates ensure that your peripherals are compatible with the most recent patch for your operating system.

Assuring New Software Compatibility

Updating drivers can also allow your operating system to take advantage of updated software, allowing your device to reach its full potential. A driver update might improve the performance of older software, such as newer versions of Adobe Photoshop or popular video games.

Bug Fixing

Many users test peripherals on a variety of systems when they become available. This can help to uncover flaws that were previously unnoticed.