Windows Guide

How to Update Drivers on Windows 10 & 11 — Safe Methods (2026)

Published: April 16, 2026 14 min read IT Cares

Quick Answer

Run Windows Update first — it now includes most essential drivers automatically. For your GPU, use the official tool: NVIDIA GeForce Experience, AMD Adrenalin, or Intel Driver & Support Assistant. For chipset, Wi-Fi, and audio drivers, go directly to your PC maker's support page (Dell, HP, Lenovo, ASUS) and search by your exact model number or Service Tag. Never use random driver update websites — see the danger section below.

Outdated drivers can cause sluggish performance, display glitches, Wi-Fi drops, Bluetooth pairing failures, and even blue screen errors (BSOD). Updated drivers can do the opposite — fix bugs, improve hardware compatibility after a Windows update, and squeeze extra performance from your GPU. But driver updates also carry real risk: the wrong version, from the wrong source, can make a working system stop working entirely.

This guide covers every method to update drivers on Windows 10 and Windows 11 in 2026 — from the safest and simplest (Windows Update) to the most powerful (DDU clean install). It also tells you exactly when not to update, which third-party tools are trustworthy, and how to recover if something goes wrong.

7 methods

Covered in this guide

80%

Of drivers covered by Windows Update alone

5 min

To update most drivers via manufacturer tool

Before You Start: Create a Restore Point

Before updating any driver — especially a GPU, chipset, or network driver — create a Windows restore point. If the update causes instability, you can roll the entire system back in minutes rather than fighting with a broken PC.

Open System Protection

Press Win + S, type Create a restore point, and press Enter. The System Properties dialog opens on the System Protection tab.

Click "Create"

Select your system drive (usually C:), click the Create button, give the restore point a name (e.g., "Before driver update"), then click Create again.

Wait for confirmation

Windows confirms the restore point was created successfully. This takes about 30–60 seconds. You can now update drivers with a safety net in place.

    Pro tip: Restore points are also created automatically before Windows Updates and major driver installs. But doing it manually before any significant driver change gives you an exact rollback target you can rely on.
  

How to Find Your Exact PC Model

Every method that involves downloading from a manufacturer's site requires your exact model number. There are three quick ways to find it:

Service Tag / Serial Number sticker: On a laptop, look on the bottom panel. On a desktop, check the side or back. Dell calls it a Service Tag; HP uses Serial Number; Lenovo uses Serial Number or Machine Type.
Settings → System → About: Shows the Device name and model. Press Win + I then navigate to System > About.
Command Prompt: Open CMD and run wmic csproduct get name to see your exact system model string. This is the most reliable method for custom-built or OEM systems.

    Why this matters: Two laptops with identical-looking specs can require different drivers. Always use your exact model or Service Tag on the support page — never download by guessing the model name from memory.
  

The 7 Methods at a Glance

Windows Update — Start Here

EASIEST — Try First

Windows Update now distributes a large percentage of driver updates directly through the Microsoft update pipeline, including chipset, USB, Bluetooth, and basic display drivers. It is the safest starting point because every driver delivered through this channel is WHQL-certified and tested against your specific Windows version.

Go to Settings → Windows Update → Check for updates
After the main updates install, click Advanced options → Optional updates to see any additional driver updates available for your hardware
Select all relevant driver updates and click Download & install
Restart when prompted

Device Manager — Right-Click Any Device

BUILT-IN — Works for Any Device

Device Manager lets you update, roll back, disable, or uninstall any individual driver directly from within Windows. It queries Microsoft's online driver catalog when you choose "Search automatically."

Press Win + X and click Device Manager
Expand the category for the device you want (e.g., Display adapters, Network adapters, Sound, video and game controllers)
Right-click the device name and select Update driver
Choose Search automatically for drivers — Windows checks its online catalog
If a newer driver is found, it installs automatically. If Windows says "The best drivers for your device are already installed," the manufacturer's site may still have a newer version

Manufacturer Support Website — Most Reliable

MOST RELIABLE — Recommended

For chipset, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, audio, and touchpad drivers, the PC maker's official support page is always the most current and model-specific source. Windows Update may lag weeks or months behind the manufacturer's latest release.

Dell: dell.com/support — enter your Service Tag for an exact driver list
HP: support.hp.com — enter model or serial number
Lenovo: support.lenovo.com — search by serial or machine type
ASUS: asus.com/support — enter your exact product name
Download the driver package (.exe), run it, and follow the on-screen installer
Restart when prompted — most driver installers require a reboot to take effect

GPU Drivers: NVIDIA, AMD, and Intel Official Tools

REQUIRED for Gaming & Creative Work

Graphics drivers are updated far more frequently than any other driver type — sometimes weekly during game launches — and they have an enormous impact on performance and stability. Never rely on Windows Update alone for GPU drivers. Use the official tool for your card.

NVIDIA: Install GeForce Experience. Open it, go to the Drivers tab, and click Check for Updates. You can choose Game Ready Driver (latest, optimized for new titles) or Studio Driver (stable, for creative apps).
AMD: Install AMD Software: Adrenalin Edition. Open it and check the Home screen for recommended driver updates. It also offers optional vs. recommended update channels.
Intel (integrated graphics): Use the Intel Driver & Support Assistant (iDSA). It scans your system and lists all Intel driver updates including integrated GPU, Wi-Fi, and Thunderbolt.

Chipset Utilities (Intel, AMD)

MEDIUM — For Stability After Windows Upgrades

The chipset driver controls how the CPU communicates with RAM, storage, USB, and PCIe devices. After a major Windows 10/11 feature update, the chipset driver can become mismatched and cause subtle performance degradation or USB instability. Update it from the chip maker directly.

Intel Chipset Device Software: Download from Intel Download Center. Install the INF package; no reboot usually required.
AMD Chipset Software: Download from AMD Support. Select your chipset family (e.g., AMD 600 Series for Ryzen 7000) and install.
After installing, restart and confirm the driver version in Device Manager under System devices.

PowerShell: Get-WindowsDriver and PSWindowsUpdate

MEDIUM — For Power Users and IT Admins

PowerShell offers command-line control over Windows Update and installed drivers. Useful for scripted deployments, remote management, or auditing driver versions across multiple machines.

List all currently installed drivers: open PowerShell as Administrator and run Get-WindowsDriver -Online. This outputs every third-party and inbox driver with its version and date.
To install Windows Update drivers via PowerShell, install the PSWindowsUpdate module first: Install-Module PSWindowsUpdate -Force, then run Get-WindowsUpdate -MicrosoftUpdate -Install -AcceptAll to install all available updates including optional driver updates.
To export the full driver list to a text file: Get-WindowsDriver -Online | Out-File C:\drivers-list.txt

# List all installed drivers (run as Administrator) Get-WindowsDriver -Online | Sort-Object Version -Descending | Format-Table OriginalFileName, Version, Date -AutoSize # Install all Windows Update drivers silently Install-Module PSWindowsUpdate -Force Get-WindowsUpdate -MicrosoftUpdate -Install -AcceptAll -AutoReboot

Third-Party Tools — Use with Extreme Caution

CAUTION — Most Are Unnecessary or Harmful

The overwhelming majority of third-party "driver updater" tools on the internet are either unnecessary, bundled with adware, or outright malicious. They often install unsigned or wrong-version drivers. That said, two tools have a legitimate, controlled use case:

Snappy Driver Installer Origin (SDIO): Open-source, no bundleware. Useful for offline driver deployment on fresh Windows installs with no internet access. Download only from the official page. Do not use it as a routine updater — only for initial hardware setup.
Driver Booster (IObit): Well-known but installs additional IObit software and may push version updates that are not certified for your specific hardware. Only acceptable if you understand what it is doing; still not recommended over manufacturer tools.
Avoid any tool that asks for payment to "scan and fix" drivers or that shows alarming error counts on first launch. These are invariably scareware.

Driver Type vs. Best Update Source (Table)

Driver Type	Best Source	Frequency
NVIDIA GPU	GeForce Experience	Every 4–6 weeks (gaming)
AMD GPU	AMD Adrenalin	Every 4–6 weeks (gaming)
Intel Integrated Graphics	Intel DSA	After Windows major upgrades
Chipset (Intel/AMD)	Chip maker website	After Windows major upgrades
Wi-Fi / Ethernet	PC maker support page	When issues arise or after upgrade
Audio	PC maker support page	When issues arise
Bluetooth	Windows Update	Automatic via Windows Update
USB / Thunderbolt	Windows Update / Intel DSA	After Windows major upgrades
Touchpad / Keyboard	PC maker support page	When gesture issues arise
Printer	Windows Update / Manufacturer	When printing issues arise

GPU Clean Install: How to Use DDU (Display Driver Uninstaller)

When a GPU driver update causes problems — display artifacts, crashes, black screens — or when you are switching from one GPU brand to another (NVIDIA to AMD or vice versa), a clean install using DDU is the correct approach. DDU removes every trace of the old driver before the new one goes in, eliminating leftover files that cause conflicts.

Download DDU and your new driver installer first

Get DDU from Guru3D. Download your new GPU driver from NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel and save the installer to your desktop. Do not run it yet.

Disable internet connection

Turn off Wi-Fi or disconnect your ethernet cable. This prevents Windows from automatically reinstalling a driver while DDU is working.

Boot into Safe Mode

Press Win + I → System → Recovery → Advanced startup → Restart now. Then choose Troubleshoot → Advanced options → Startup Settings → Restart. Press 4 or F4 to boot into Safe Mode.

Run DDU and select "Clean and restart"

In Safe Mode, run DDU. Select your GPU type (GPU) and brand (NVIDIA / AMD / Intel) from the dropdown menus. Click Clean and restart. DDU removes all driver files, registry entries, and leftover folders.

Install the new driver after normal boot

Once Windows restarts to normal mode, reconnect your internet and run the GPU driver installer you downloaded in step 1. Perform a Custom (not Express) install and check the box for Perform a clean installation if offered by the NVIDIA or AMD installer.

How to Roll Back a Driver

If a driver update breaks something, Windows has a built-in one-step rollback. This works as long as Windows kept a copy of the previous driver — which it does for most updates.

Press Win + X and open Device Manager
Find the device with the problematic driver, right-click it, and choose Properties
Click the Driver tab, then click Roll Back Driver
Select a reason and confirm — Windows restores the previous version immediately
Restart if prompted

    Roll Back Driver grayed out? This means Windows did not save the previous driver version — usually because the device was just added or the previous driver was removed. In this case, download the older version manually from the manufacturer's site (look for a "previous drivers" section) and install it using Device Manager → Browse my computer for drivers.
  

How to Install Drivers in Safe Mode

Some driver updates fail to install correctly in normal Windows mode due to conflicting processes. If a driver installer keeps failing, Safe Mode provides a clean environment where fewer background processes run.

Boot into Safe Mode with Networking (press F8 during startup or use the Settings → Recovery path above)
Run your driver installer normally — most installers work in Safe Mode with Networking
Restart and verify in Device Manager that the new version is showing

    Note: Safe Mode with Networking is required (not plain Safe Mode) if the driver installer needs to download additional components from the internet during installation — which many GPU driver installers do.
  

Dangers of Fake Driver Update Sites

Searching "update [device] driver download" on Google frequently surfaces fake driver sites in the top results — paid ads and SEO-optimized pages designed to look official. Downloading from these sites is one of the leading causes of malware infection on Windows PCs in 2026.

    Red flags to avoid: Any site that is not dell.com, hp.com, lenovo.com, asus.com, nvidia.com, amd.com, intel.com, or microsoft.com. Watch out for sites with names like "driversupdate[anything].com", "getdrivers[anything].net", or pages that immediately prompt you to run a "driver scan" executable. A legitimate driver download is always a file from the manufacturer — never a scan tool from a random site.
  

Specific risks from fake driver sites include:

Bundled malware: The downloaded file installs a real-looking driver alongside keyloggers, adware, or ransomware.
Unsigned drivers: Drivers that bypass Windows Driver Signing, which can destabilize the kernel.
Wrong version: A driver packaged for a different hardware revision that causes device failure on your machine.
Scareware: A scan tool that reports hundreds of "outdated drivers" and demands payment to fix them — when your drivers are fine.

The safe rule is simple: if you did not arrive at the download page by navigating from the official manufacturer's website, do not download the file.

When NOT to Update Drivers

Driver updates are not always improvements. Microsoft, NVIDIA, AMD, and PC makers occasionally release drivers that introduce new bugs. Follow this principle: if it ain't broke, don't fix it.

Working system, no issues: If your PC is running smoothly, skip routine driver updates until a new Windows version or specific problem warrants them.
After a recent Windows feature update: Wait a few days before installing new drivers. Let the update settle and check forums for reports of driver conflicts with your specific hardware.
Just before an important deadline: Never update drivers the night before a presentation, exam, or work deadline. Driver issues can take hours to resolve.
When only the version number changed and no changelog was provided: If NVIDIA or AMD released an update and the release notes only mention "improved stability" with no specific games or fixes listed, you can safely skip it.

    Best practice: Check the driver release notes on the manufacturer's website before installing. If the new version specifically fixes an issue you are experiencing or supports a new game you are playing, update. Otherwise, the current version is doing its job.
  

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is it necessary to update drivers?

It depends on the driver. GPU drivers benefit from regular updates if you game or use creative software — each release typically includes performance improvements and game-specific fixes. Chipset, Wi-Fi, and audio drivers are worth updating when you experience a problem or after a major Windows version upgrade. If your system is running without any issues, there is no urgent need to update every driver on a fixed schedule. The general rule: update when there is a specific reason, not just because a newer version exists.

How often should I update my drivers?

For a gaming GPU, check NVIDIA GeForce Experience or AMD Adrenalin every 4–6 weeks — major game releases often come with a corresponding driver update that delivers meaningful performance gains. For other drivers (chipset, Wi-Fi, audio, touchpad), updating once or twice a year after a Windows major version upgrade is sufficient for most users. Business systems are often better served by delaying driver updates until they have been validated in your environment, especially on company laptops.

Are third-party driver updater tools safe?

Most are unnecessary at best and actively harmful at worst. Many bundle adware, install unsigned drivers, or push versions that are not certified for your specific hardware model. The tools that Windows Update, Device Manager, and manufacturer support pages provide are always the correct choice. If you have a legitimate need for offline driver deployment on a fresh install, Snappy Driver Installer Origin (SDIO) is the only open-source, no-bundleware option worth considering. Avoid Driver Booster, Driver Easy, and similar paid utilities entirely.

What happens if I install the wrong driver?

Installing the wrong driver can cause the affected device to malfunction, produce display glitches or no display at all, trigger blue screen errors (BSOD), or cause system instability. Recovery steps: first, try Device Manager → Properties → Driver → Roll Back Driver. If the system cannot boot normally, boot into Safe Mode and use the rollback from there. For a GPU driver that prevents the display from working, boot into Safe Mode and use DDU (Display Driver Uninstaller) to completely remove it before installing the correct version. A system restore point created before the update is your fastest recovery option.

How do I find my GPU model?

Press Win + X and click Device Manager, then expand Display adapters — your GPU model is listed there. Alternatively, press Win + R, type dxdiag, and press Enter; the DirectX Diagnostic Tool shows your GPU on the Display tab. You can also right-click the desktop and open your GPU's control panel (NVIDIA Control Panel, AMD Software: Adrenalin Edition, or Intel Graphics Command Center), which displays the model name on its home screen. For laptops with both integrated and dedicated graphics, Device Manager will show both entries under Display adapters.

Do drivers update automatically on Windows 11?

Windows 11 automatically installs many drivers through Windows Update — chipset, USB, Bluetooth, and basic display adapters are handled automatically. However, it does not automatically install the latest GPU drivers from NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel; those require the manufacturer's dedicated tool. Windows Update also tends to install a stable, validated version of a driver rather than the absolute newest release available from the manufacturer, so checking the maker's site manually remains the most thorough approach. You can see all available optional driver updates under Settings → Windows Update → Advanced options → Optional updates.

Comments

James M. — Calgary, AB

April 16, 2026

The DDU section saved my sanity. I upgraded from an older AMD card to an NVIDIA and kept getting a black screen on boot. Followed your Safe Mode + DDU steps exactly and the new driver installed without a hitch. Wish I had found this guide two hours earlier but at least I know the right process now. The warning about fake driver sites is real — I almost downloaded from one of those sketchy pages.

Sophie L. — Montreal, QC