How to update drivers on pc for windows 11/10?

Cynthiaom​, If your devices are managed through Microsoft Intune, it’s definitely worth exploring how Windows Autopatch handles driver updates instead of doing everything manually.

With Microsoft Intune + Autopatch, driver updates are centrally managed, you can review, approve, pause, or deploy drivers rather than installing them blindly on each PC. This gives you much better control and reduces the risk of bad drivers being pushed out.

A good starting point is to:

• Learn how driver update policies work in Intune
• Understand the difference between automatic vs manual approval
• Try manual approval first, so you can clearly see:
  • which drivers are available
  • which devices they apply to
  • what actually gets deployed

That hands-on approach really helps you understand the process before automating it.

Here’s a helpful video to get started: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WdLg9N952d8&t=672s

+1 a dedicated software for automatic device driver updates on Windows 11 and Windows 10. You can update the driver without network!

Just because a driver is old does not mean it’s broken. If your PC runs perfectly (no crashes, no Wi-Fi issues, no sound problems), you don't actually need to update your drivers. How to update drivers on PC Windows 10 is not of much use. Driver updates are primarily for fixing specific errors; updating a working driver sometimes introduces new problems.

Most of the time, you don't actually need to update drivers. Experts across multiple sources agree: If your PC is working fine, leave your drivers alone. Updating a driver that isn't causing problems can introduce new issues.

Driver updates are meant to fix specific problems:

• Hardware isn't working (no sound, Wi-Fi disconnects)
• You're getting error messages
• A security flaw was discovered

Many "driver updater" programs show fake outdated driver warnings to scare you into paying for their premium services. These are often false detections.

When learning how to update drivers on PC Windows 10, Before updating drivers, it’s wise to create a system restore point. This way, if the new driver causes problems, you can revert to a previous stable state. After updating drivers, always restart your PC to ensure changes are properly applied. Skipping this step can result in drivers not being correctly loaded.

Windows has a built-in command-line tool called PnPUtil (Plug and Play Utility) that allows you to install and update drivers without using Device Manager. This is built into Windows, and not commonly known by average users.

How to update drivers on PC Windows 10:

1. Press Windows + X and select Terminal (Admin) or Command Prompt (Admin)

2. Type PNPUtil.exe to verify the tool is available (it will show help text if present)

3. First, download the driver package (.inf file) from the component manufacturer's website and save it to a known location.

4. Run the install command:

text

pnputil /install C:\Drivers\yourdriver. inf /install

The /install flag tells PnPUtil to not only add the driver to the driver store but also install/update it on any matching devices

About how to update drivers on PC Windows 10. The built-in Windows tools were created specifically because driver management is complex. PnPUtil is the closest alternative, but it still requires you to get the driver file from somewhere.

You need to visit the Manufacturer's website if you are looking for a way on how to update drivers on PC Windows. Sometimes, you need the absolute latest driver, like for a new PC game. In this case, go directly to the company that made your computer or the specific part.

• For a Laptop or Pre-built PC: Go to the support website of your computer's brand (Dell, HP, Lenovo, ASUS, etc.). Search for your specific model number to find all the official drivers.
• For a Graphics Card: Go to the website of the chip manufacturer (NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel) to download the latest "Game Ready" driver . This is the standard practice for gamers.

Just because a driver is old doesn't mean it needs to be updated. The golden rule is: "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." . If your PC is working perfectly, you don't need to constantly hunt for driver updates.

However, if you are experiencing specific issues like your Wi-Fi disconnecting, no sound, or games crashing, updating the corresponding drivers (Network, Audio, or Graphics) can be a very effective solution.

If you are still search how to update drivers on PC Windows, you are generally better off using the built-in Windows methods. These free tools often try to install extra software or show many advertisements during setup . If you do decide to try one, download it directly from the software's official website and pay close attention during installation to decline any offers for extra programs.

If only one device, like your sound card or graphics card, is giving you trouble, you can update just that one driver manually. To ensure your hardware functions properly, it's important to keep your drivers up to date. Here's how to update drivers on PC Windows using Device Manager:

1. Open Device Manager:

Press the Windows key + X on your keyboard.

Select Device Manager from the menu that appears.

2. Locate the Device to Update:

In the Device Manager window, find the category that contains your device.

Click the arrow next to the category to expand it.

Right-click on the specific device you want to update.

3. Select Update Driver:

From the context menu, choose Update driver.

4. Choose How to Search for Drivers:

You will see two options:

Search automatically for updated driver software: Windows will search online for the latest driver and install it if available.

Browse my computer for driver software: Use this if you have already downloaded the driver files manually.

5. Follow the On-Screen Instructions:

If Windows finds a new driver, it will install it automatically.

If you chose to browse your computer, locate the driver files and follow the prompts to complete the update.

6. Restart Your PC if Necessary:

Some driver updates require a restart to take effect. Save your work and restart your computer if prompted.

Please follow the above steps if you are wordering how to update drivers on PC Windows.

The built-in feature of Windows Update is not a good way to update device drivers automatically on Windows 11 or Windows 10. Here are several cons you need pay attention to.

1. Generic Drivers

Windows often installs generic Microsoft drivers instead of manufacturer-specific ones.

Example: Your sound card or network adapter might work, but extra features (surround sound, advanced power management) won't be available.

Impact: Reduced functionality or slightly worse performance compared to the manufacturer's custom driver.

2.  Forced Automatic Updates

Windows Update may automatically update drivers without asking.

Problem: A working driver could be replaced with a problematic one overnight, breaking something that was fine before.

Example: A printer driver might stop working, or a Wi-Fi adapter might disconnect frequently after an automatic update.

3.Missing Specialized Drivers

• Windows Update often skips drivers for:
• Chipset drivers (affects USB, PCIe, RAM performance)
• BIOS/UEFI firmware updates
• RAID or enterprise hardware drivers
• Legacy or niche peripherals

In fact, you can use a driver update software for automatically update drivers on Windows 10 PC or Windows 11.

Use Windows Update (Easiest & Safest).

This is the best method for most users. Windows automatically downloads the most stable drivers certified by Microsoft. However, these might not be the very latest versions.

How to update drivers on pc for windows 11

Step 1: Press Win + I to open Settings and click Windows Update in the left sidebar.

Step 2: Click Check for updates. Windows will install any necessary drivers automatically.

Step 3: To find the rest, click Advanced options > Optional updates.

Step 4: Expand Driver updates, check the boxes for the drivers you want, and click Download & install.

However, Windows Update rarely provides the latest driver versions. It prioritizes stability and security over performance or new features.

Example: A new game-ready NVIDIA or AMD driver might be available for weeks before Windows Update offers it (sometimes months later).

Impact: Gamers, video editors, and power users miss out on performance optimizations and bug fixes.