If you’ve transitioned to Windows 11 or are contemplating the shift, one essential component to ensure smooth operation is having up-to-date drivers. The driver, in essence, is the bridge that facilitates communication between your operating system and the hardware components of your computer. If you want to have the best experience on Windows 11, you must have updated drivers for graphics, audio, Bluetooth, network adapters, and more. For instance, if you are screen recording on Windows 11, it becomes crucial to ensure that your graphics and audio drivers are up-to-date. An outdated driver can result in choppy visuals during screen recording or might even distort the clarity of a voiceover. Fortunately, updating drivers in Windows 11 is a straightforward process, and this risewindows article will walk you through it comprehensively.
We offer a deep dive into various methods you can employ to update your drivers — be it using the built-in Device Manager, leveraging a reliable third-party program, or referring to dedicated websites of renowned laptop makers such as Lenovo, Asus, Dell, among others. These resources are valuable for those who wish to manually fetch and install the latest drivers tailored for Windows 11. Furthermore, Windows 11 often categorizes some driver updates under “Optional Updates.” While it’s usually not a standard practice to routinely install these updates, if you’re encountering anomalies or issues with a particular device, it might be worth checking this section. Dive in, as we unravel the steps to ensure your Windows 11 machine is operating at its peak potential.
How to Check for Optional Updates on Windows 11?
To view and install optional updates on your Windows 11 machine, perform these steps:-
Step 1. Firstly, open Settings.
Step 2. Now, select Windows Update in the left sidebar.
Step 3. Then, click Advanced options on the right-side pane.
Step 4. After that, under the “Additional options” section, click the Optional updates tile.
Step 5. Next, click Drivers updates.
Step 6. Now, check the item(s) in the list you want to update.
Step 7. Finally, click on Download & install button.
After completing the above steps, selected drivers will be downloaded and installed on your computer.
How do you Manually Update Drivers with Device Manager?
To manually update drivers using Device Manager, perform these steps:-
Step 1. Firstly, open the device manager.
For that, right-click on the Start button and select Device Manager in the pop-up menu.
Step 2. When the Device Manager appears on your computer, expand the device you want to update, right-click on it and select the Update driver option.
Step 3. Then, in the “Update Drivers” window, you will find two options:-
- Search automatically for drivers: Using this option, Windows 11 will automatically search for compatible drivers and install them on your PC.
- Browse my computer for drivers: This option lets you manually select the location of the new drivers you want to install; handy if you have already downloaded drivers from the manufacturer’s website or would like to install drivers from a CD.
If you choose “Search automatically for drivers,” Windows 11 will scan your system’s driver files, and if it finds them, it will install them automatically and ask you to restart your PC.
However, if you see “The best drivers for your device are already installed,” you can further search for updated drivers by clicking the “Search for updated drivers on Windows Update” button. It will open Settings > Windows Update.
Here, when you choose “Browse my computer for drivers,” you can browse for a location where you have stored new driver files by clicking the Browse button and following the on-screen steps. Alternatively, you can click the “Let me pick from a list of available drivers on my computer” option.
If Windows recognizes the drivers you browsed for or selected “Let me pick from a list of available drivers on my computer, “Windows will show a list of compatible drivers you can choose from for your device. Select an item in the list and click the Next button.
Finally, if you see “The best drivers for your device are already installed,” no update is necessary. Otherwise, the drivers w l installed if newer than the old ones available. You should see on the screen, “Windows has successfully updated your drivers.”
Conclusion
Keeping drivers updated is paramount for the optimal functioning of any Windows system, especially with the latest Windows 11. It ensures compatibility, smooth operations, and mitigates potential software conflicts. Whether you’re opting for automated updates through “Optional Updates” or prefer the hands-on approach with the Device Manager, Windows 11 offers flexibility and user-friendliness in managing drivers. Regular checks and updates can make a significant difference in performance and user experience. With this risewindows guide, you’re now equipped with the knowledge to seamlessly manage and update your drivers, ensuring your Windows 11 machine runs smoothly and efficiently.
