The best programs for updating home computer drivers. Driver update program. Five best. The program is suitable for all computer models
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Driver update programs do exactly what you might think - they help update some or all of the computer device drivers installed in Windows.
These programs make it easy to keep all drivers installed on your computer up to date. Using them, you don't have to do much work with Device Manager and find on your own the necessary drivers from various manufacturers of equipment installed on your computer.
Important: You are not obligated to use free driver update programs, much less pay for them! These programs are provided for your convenience only. You can install the drivers yourself manually; in fact, this is not such a difficult process.
Driver Booster is the best free driver updater. It is compatible with all versions of Windows and makes updating drivers easy.
Driver Booster can be configured to automatically search for outdated drivers on a schedule. When updates are found, you can easily download them directly from the program, without needing to go to the Internet browser.
Before installing the driver, the program will show the new driver version and compare it with the installed one; this is very useful information.
One of the important features is the ability to create a restore point before installing drivers, this is necessary in case something goes wrong during or after installation.
There is also an option in the settings to install drivers in the background, which hides information about the installation process and other messages. This is very convenient, because... you won't have to click accept to install each driver.
Peculiarities:
- Driver Booster works on Windows 10, 8, 7, Vista and XP.
- There is a Russian language.
- The free version does not have automatic updates or driver backups for safe recovery.
Free Driver Scout
Free Driver Scout is an amazing driver update tool because it actually updates drivers completely automatically.
This means that the program automatically scans for all necessary updates, automatically downloads and installs them without requiring any action from you, which is not the case with other programs on this list.
Certain device drivers may be excluded from scanning and will not require future updates.
Another interesting feature of Free Driver Scout is the ability to backup and restore drivers. The program allows you to backup some or all drivers installed on your computer, and then, if necessary, easily restore them.
Free Driver Scout also includes a very useful tool called OS Migration Tool. It is necessary if you are going to install another Windows operating system on your computer. The tool will find device drivers for the new OS and save them in a specific location, for example, on a flash drive. Then, when you install another Windows operating system, using the OS Migration Tool you can restore the previously saved drivers for that operating system. This way you no longer need to worry about finding new drivers!
Note: Although Free Driver Scout is a great program, it did not find several outdated drivers that Driver Booster was able to find.
Free Driver Scout is compatible with Windows 8, 7, Vista and XP. It was also tested on Windows 10, where the program also works without problems.
DriverPack Solution
DriverPack Solution has one major difference from most of the other programs on this list - it has a simple user interface. There are only a few buttons and there aren't many additional tabs/sections.
The program supports bulk download and automatic installation of drivers, so you do not need to click on the installation buttons for each of them.
When you first launch DriverPack Solution, you can choose either fully automatic download and installation of drivers, or manually, selecting only the necessary drivers from those offered for update.
The program also allows you to find out basic system information about your computer.
DriverPack Solution supports Windows 10, 8, 7, Vista, and XP.
Snappy Driver Installer is another free tool for updating drivers on your computer, a bit like DriverPack Solution.
With this program you can download several drivers for different types of devices at once. Once they are downloaded, Snappy Driver Installer will provide access to install updates with or without an Internet connection.
The program is very easy to use, you don't even need to install it. This means that you can use, for example, an external hard drive to carry and install drivers on any computer.
It is also worth noting that Snapper Driver Installer has no ads, the program does not limit download speed and can install as many drivers as you need without any restrictions.
The program works with both 32-bit and 64-bit versions of Windows 10, Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows Vista and Windows XP.
SlimDrivers is a free program that allows you to update outdated drivers, create backup copies of already installed drivers and, if necessary, remove them.
You can create a check schedule, following which SlimDrivers will automatically monitor updates for drivers installed in the system, as a result of which you will always be aware of which ones need updating.
When SlimDrivers finds an update for a driver, the program displays the release date of the currently installed driver on the system next to the new version. This helps increase confidence that the update is correct and not a software glitch.
When testing SlimDrivers, it was revealed that the program found a couple of drivers, updates for which were not found by other programs from the list in this article.
Note: During the installation of SlimDrivers, the program will ask you to install a toolbar from a third-party developer, but this step is easy to skip.
SlimDrivers works on Windows 8, 7, Vista and XP. Windows 10 is not officially supported, but in practice it runs without problems on this version of the system.
Driver Talent (formerly known as DriveTheLife) is a very easy-to-use driver updater that allows you to download drivers automatically, so you don't have to search the Internet for official download links for each driver.
This program can not only update outdated or missing drivers, but also fix corrupted ones and backup all drivers installed on the system.
The size of the driver, as well as its release date and version number, are displayed before downloading so you can be sure you're getting exactly what you need.
An alternative version of the program is available that includes network drivers and works offline, which is ideal if you need to install drivers but don't have the required network driver installed.
There is a Russian version of the program.
Driver Talent can be installed on Windows 10, 8, 7, Vista, and XP.
Device Doctor is an easy-to-use driver update program. You can download both the regular version of the program and the portable version, which does not need to be installed and can be easily transferred to external media.
Device Doctor allows you to schedule a driver check for new versions, and if any are found, it offers links to official sites for downloading them manually.
Since driver updates will need to be downloaded outside of Device Doctor, you will also need an archive unpacking program such as WinRAR.
Device Doctor officially works with Windows 7, Vista and XP, but the program has also been tested on Windows 10.
DriverMax is a free program for Windows that allows you to update outdated drivers installed on your computer. Unfortunately, the free version has some limitations.
In addition to updating outdated drivers, DriverMax can backup some or all of the drivers installed on the system, restore drivers from backups, roll back drivers, and identify unknown hardware.
In testing, DriverMax found significantly more outdated drivers than any other program on this list.
Note: The free version of DriverMax allows you to download only 2 drivers per day and 10 drivers per month. Also, only one driver can be downloaded at a time.
The program has a Russian-language interface.
DriverMax finds drivers for Windows 10, 8, 7, Vista, and XP.
DriversCloud (formerly known as Ma-Config) is a free web service that allows you to find detailed information about your computer's hardware and software, as well as a list of out-of-date drivers.
The service works after installing a program that allows the browser to collect information about your computer.
In the service you can find such categories as: analysis of “blue screens of death”, “My drivers”, “Autostart”, “Network configuration”, etc.
If it is necessary to update the driver, the service will show complete information about the new driver in comparison with the currently installed one: version, manufacturer, date and hardware ID.
The DriversCloud service runs on Windows 10, 8, 7, Vista, XP and Windows 2000 operating systems.
DriverIdentifier is a very simple but useful free driver updater.
You can scan for driver relevance even if you do not have an Internet connection, which is especially important if the network card driver is not installed. Once the scan is complete, DriverIdentifier will save the list of drivers in an HTML file.
All you need to do is open the file on a computer that has an Internet connection and click on the “Update” link next to the drivers that need updating.
A portable version of DriverIdentifier is also available.
Note: To download driver updates, you must create a free DriverIdentifier account.
DriverIdentifier is compatible with Windows 10, 8, 7, Vista and XP.
Driver Easy is another program that allows you to search for outdated drivers in Windows operating systems. The program is free for both personal and commercial use.
The system scan scheduler in Driver Easy helps you find outdated drivers and prompts you to download updates for them. Scanning can be scheduled daily, weekly, or monthly while the computer is in standby mode or every time you log on to Windows.
Driver Easy allows you to download driver updates from within the program without having to go to your browser.
The program also has additional functionality, such as: viewing information about hardware and scanning drivers without an Internet connection.
Note: in the free version of Driver Easy, the speed at which updates are downloaded is quite severely reduced compared to other programs on this list.
Driver Easy can work with Windows 10, 8, 7, Vista and XP.
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Having the proper device drivers for your devices is very important for the proper functioning of the computer system as well as the connected hardware devices. Drivers are a key component of a computer system, but we often forget about them, which can lead to various performance issues in the long run. Keeping your drivers up to date will help you get the best performance from your hardware. But it's true, most of us don't update drivers unless Microsoft Updates suggests them.
These free automatic driver update programs make it easy to update your drivers. Use one and you won't have to deal with Device Manager as much, and you won't have to hunt around for the correct driver from your hardware manufacturer.
Important: To update drivers, it is not necessary to use programs; they are intended for convenience, since they can be updated manually, for example, by downloading from your manufacturer’s website or using the disks that come with the purchase of a computer or laptop. Under no circumstances should you pay for these programs.
Driver Booster is the best free driver updater. It is compatible with all versions of Windows and makes updating drivers easy.
Driver Booster can be scheduled to automatically find outdated drivers. When new updates are found, you can easily download them from Driver Booster, so you don't have to go to your internet browser to grab them.
Before installing the driver, you can see how the new driver version compares to the currently installed driver, which is useful.
I like that Driver Booster creates a restore point before installing the driver in case something goes wrong with the installation.
There is an option in Settings to install drivers in the background, which hides the installation wizard and other pop-up messages. This is convenient so you don't have to click through as many windows when installing new drivers.
Program in Russian.
Driver Booster works on Windows 10, 8, 7, Vista and XP.
DriverPack Solution has a user interface that is easier to use than most of the others on this list. There are only a few buttons and definitely no confusing screens or options.
This program supports bulk downloads and automatic installation, so you don't have to click on any installation wizards.
When you first open DriverPack Solution, you can automatically download and install all drivers or manually choose which ones you want to update.
DriverPack Solution also has basic system information as well as a software downloader that can install some recommended programs on your computer.
Program in Russian.
DriverPack Solution supports Windows 10, 8, 7, Vista and XP.
Snappy Driver Installer is another free driver update tool that is a bit like the DriverPack Solution listed above.
You can download multiple drivers for different devices at once. Once they're downloaded, the program gives you immediate access to install updates... with or without an Internet connection.
Snappy Driver Installer is very easy to use and doesn't even require installation. This means that you can use something like an external hard drive to transport and install the downloaded drivers to any other computer.
Program in Russian.
Snapper Driver Installer also has zero ads, no download speed limits, and can install as many drivers as you need without any restrictions.
This program works with both 32-bit and 64-bit versions of Windows 10, Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows Vista and Windows XP.
DriverHub is really easy to use because it downloads and installs the drivers for you and has an entire program section dedicated to recovery if anything goes wrong.
The program itself has a clean interface with several menu buttons. In the settings there are several options for changing the download folder and disabling checking for program updates.
You can keep things simple and install whatever DriverHub recommends, or you can go to advanced mode, to choose which drivers to get, see version numbers, and install alternative drivers (that is, a new driver, but not the current version).
Chapter " Useful programs» DriverHub is not driver-specific, but includes some useful links to Windows utilities such as Disk Management, Task Manager, power supply settings, display settings, etc.
Program in Russian.
Price: Free
Note: you may be asked to install another program during setup, such as a web browser or something else. You can uncheck this box if you only want DriverHub without any additional software.
The DriverHub website says it will work on Windows 10, Windows 8, and Windows 7.
DriversCloud (formerly called Ma-Config) is a free web service that contains detailed information about your hardware and software, including outdated drivers.
It works by downloading a program that allows your web browser to collect information from your computer.
On the website you can find categories such as BSOD analysis, My Drivers, Autorun, Network Configuration and other areas you can browse.
Program in Russian.
Price: For free
When you need to update a driver, you can see the complete information about which data of the new driver matches the installed driver. You can see the version number, manufacturer, INF file name and date, and hardware ID.
Windows 10, 8, 7, Vista, XP and Windows 2000 users can install DriversCloud.
Program in English.
Price: For free
Double Driver
When using Driver Talent, I noticed that the program itself installed on my computer in less than five seconds, and most driver updates downloaded very quickly, which was nice.
Driver Talent can be installed on Windows 10, 8, 7, Vista and XP.
Free Driver Scout
Free Driver Scout is an amazing driver because it provides true automatic update .
This means that the program will automatically scans any required updates automatically loads updates and then automatically sets them without requiring any data from you that cannot be said about any other program on this list.
Device drivers can be excluded from scans using Scout's free driver so they don't show up as a need to update in the future.
Another great feature in Free Driver Scout is the ability to backup and restore your drivers. The program allows you to back up some or all of your drivers and then easily restore them again if you need to.
Free Driver Scout also includes an extremely useful tool called " OS Migration Tool". You will run this tool if you are going to install another Windows operating system on your computer. It will find device drivers for the new OS and save them in a custom location, such as a flash drive. Then, when you have another Windows operating system installed, you can use the same tool to repair those OS-specific drivers so you don't have to worry about finding device drivers again.
Note. While Free Driver Scout is a very nice program, it didn't find as many outdated drivers as Driver Booster, which is why I chose that spot on the list.
I tested Driver Scout v1.0 on Windows 10, but it also works on Windows 8, 7, Vista and XP.
DriverMax
DriverMax is a free program for Windows that can update outdated drivers. Unfortunately, it is limited in several areas.
In addition to updating old drivers, DriverMax can backup some or all installed drivers, restore driver backups, rollback drivers, and identify unknown hardware.
I found that DriverMax detected significantly more outdated drivers than any other program on this list. I checked the version numbers against the installed drivers and they all seemed to be valid updates.
Note. DriverMax can only download two drivers per day and 10 drivers per month, and can only download one driver at a time. You still can check outdated drivers, but you're limited to how much you can really download. I talk more about why this is not as bad as it may seem.
DriverMax finds drivers for Windows 10, 8, 7, Vista and XP.
DriverIdentifier
DriverIdentifier is an extremely simple but very useful free driver updater.
You can scan for drivers if you don't have an Internet connection, which is great if your network card driver isn't working. When the verification is complete, DriverIdentifier will save the list of drivers in an HTML file.
Just open the file on your computer, whom there is an internet connection so the DriverIdentifier website can cross-reference the results with their databases. Drivers needing an update will have a link updates next to them.
A portable version of DriverIdentifier is also available.
Note. To download driver updates, you must create a free DriverIdentifier account.
DriverIdentifier finds drivers for Windows 10, 8, 7, Vista and XP.
You can schedule a scan to check for outdated drivers, and then when an update is detected, you'll be taken to a website to download it manually.
Because you need to download updates outside of Device Doctor, you may sometimes need to unzip driver files before using them. You can do this using a file decompression tool, such as the one included with Windows, or a third-party tool such as 7-Zip.
Device Doctor is limited to downloading only one driver per day. It is designed to search for drivers for Windows XP to Windows 10.
If you know any other good programs for automatically updating drivers, please write in the comments.
For many users, installing and updating drivers is a rather tedious and complicated task. A manual search often leads enthusiasts to third-party sites, where instead of the treasured software, viruses are caught, third-party spyware applications and other unnecessary programs are installed. Updated drivers optimize the operation of the entire system, so there’s no need to shelve the update!
Universal driver update programs
To make life easier for both your personal computer and yourself, just download a program that will independently find and update the required driver on your PC. Such applications can be either universal for any component or intended for a specific hardware manufacturer.
One of the best programs to update your device drivers. The application is easy to use, so even an inexperienced user will understand the friendly interface. The Driver Pack is distributed free of charge, and you can download the program from the official website of the developer, which describes in detail the intricacies of the search system and describes the basics of use. The program works with any components and finds the latest drivers in a huge database. In addition, the Pack also includes additional programs that will allow you to get rid of viruses and advertising banners. If you are only interested in auto-updating drivers, then specify this option during installation.
DriverPack Solution independently identifies the equipment, establishes a correspondence between the found devices and the drivers that are in the database
- convenient interface, ease of use;
- quick search for drivers and updating them;
- two options for downloading the program: online and offline; The online mode works directly with the developer’s servers, and the offline mode downloads an 11 GB image for further use of all popular drivers.
- installs additional software that is not always needed.
One of the most popular applications for downloading drivers and optimizing the system. Driver Booster is distributed in two versions: the free one allows you to quickly search for drivers and update them in one click, and the paid one opens up new options for program settings and unlimited download speed. If you prefer high-speed downloads and want to automatically receive the latest updates, then pay attention to the paid version of the program. It is distributed by subscription and costs 590 rubles per year. However, the Free version is inferior only in speed and additional game optimization features. Otherwise, the program always looks for excellent drivers that download quickly and install just as quickly.
There is an extensive driver database that is stored online
- high speed even on weak computers;
- the ability to configure an update queue and set priorities;
- low consumption of PC resources when running in the background.
- technical support only in the paid version;
- lack of auto-update of the application in the free application.
The free DriverHub utility will appeal to lovers of minimalism and simplicity. This program does not have a wide range of settings and does its job quickly and silently. Automatic driver updates take place in two steps: downloading and installation. The user can give the right to operate the program independently or is free to choose a driver from those offered for download by the application.
It is possible to roll back the driver to its original state using the restore function
- ease of use, user-friendly interface;
- ability to store download history and updates;
- daily database update;
- convenient rollback system, creation of recovery checkpoints.
- small number of settings;
- offer to install third-party programs.
The program is for those who are used to controlling everything on their own. Even if you are an inexperienced user, you can always easily monitor the progress of updates by making adjustments to the program. The free version allows you to manually update drivers, while paid versions can work automatically. Foreign development has two paid subscriptions. Basic costs $20 and works for a year with an updated cloud database. This version also supports customization and one-click auto-update. The same features are available with a 10-year LifeTime subscription for $60. Users can install a paid program on five computers at the same time and not worry about driver updates.
SlimDrivers also allows you to make backups for system recovery
- the ability to manually control each update element;
- The free version is not spammed with advertising.
- expensive paid versions;
- complex fine-tuning, which is unlikely to be understood by an inexperienced user.
The domestic development of Carambis Driver Updater is distributed free of charge, but allows you to use the main functions by subscription. The application quickly finds and updates drivers, saving your download history. The program is characterized by high speed and low requirements for computer hardware. You can get the full functionality of the application for 250 rubles per month.
An important advantage is full technical support by e-mail and telephone
- the license applies to 2 or more personal computers;
- technical support around the clock;
- Only the paid version works.
An English-language utility that quickly and without unnecessary settings identifies your hardware. The user is presented with the opportunity to make backup files, a user-friendly interface and two versions of work: free and pro. Free is distributed free of charge and provides access to manual driver updates. In the Pro version, which costs around $11 per year, updates occur automatically based on user-specified settings. The application is convenient and very friendly to beginners.
The program collects detailed information about system drivers and generates a detailed report in TXT or HTM formats
- simple interface and ease of use;
- fast driver loading speed;
- automatic file backup.
- expensive paid version;
- lack of Russian language.
Driver Magician was once a free app, but now users can only get a 13-day trial period, after which they must purchase the program for $30 for permanent use. The application does not support the Russian language, but it is quite easy to understand due to the small number of tabs and functions. Driver Magician just needs to specify the operating system so that it can begin selecting and installing the necessary drivers. You can choose from a file backup function in case something goes wrong.
The program can save and then restore other files, except drivers: folders, registry, Favorites, My Documents
- simple but old-fashioned interface;
- full functionality in trial version;
- automatic search for drivers for unknown devices.
- lack of Russian language;
- unhurried speed of work.
Programs from component manufacturers
The programs will allow you to automatically update drivers for free. In addition, there is technical support that will answer your questions almost any time of the day.
Intel Driver Update is designed to install and update drivers for Intel devices involved in your personal computer. Suitable for branded processors, network devices, ports, drives and other components. The hardware on a personal computer is recognized automatically, and the search for the necessary software is carried out in a matter of seconds. The main thing is that the application is free, and the support service is ready to answer any request, even at night.
The application installs on Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 8.1 and Windows 10
- official program from Intel;
- quick installation of drivers;
- a large database of alternative drivers for various operating systems.
- Intel support only.
A similar program to Intel Driver Update, but for AMD devices. Supports all known components, except the FirePro series. It is worth installing for those who are the proud owner of a video card from this manufacturer. The application will monitor all updates in real time and inform the user about new updates. AMD Driver Autodetect will automatically detect your video card, identify it and find the optimal solution for the device. All you have to do is click the “Install” button for the update to take effect.
This utility does not work with Linux systems, Apple Boot Camp and AMD FirePro video cards
- ease of use and minimalistic interface;
- fast download and installation speed of drivers;
- Auto-detection of video card.
- a small number of opportunities;
- AMD support only;
- lack of FirePro support.
NVIDIA Update Experience
NVIDIA Update Experience allows you to automatically download updates for your graphics card from Nvidia. The program not only offers support for the latest software, but also allows you to optimize games on the fly. In addition, when you launch any application, Experience will offer a number of interesting functions, including the ability to take screenshots and display FPS on the screen. As for downloading drivers, the program works perfectly and always notifies you when a new version is available.
Depending on the hardware configuration, the program optimizes the graphics settings of games
- stylish interface and fast speed;
- automatic driver installation;
- ShadowPlay screen recording function without loss of frames per second;
- support for optimization of popular games.
- Works only with Nvidia cards.
Table: comparison of program capabilities
| Free version | Paid version | Automatic update of all drivers | Developer's website | OS | |
| + | - | + | https://drp.su/ru | Windows 7, 8, 10 | |
| + | +, subscription 590 rubles per year | + | https://ru.iobit.com/driver-booster.php | Windows 10, 8.1, 8, 7, Vista, XP | |
| + | - | + | https://ru.drvhub.net/ | Windows 7, 8, 10 | |
| + | +, basic version $20, lifetime version $60 | - , manual update on the free version | https://slimware.com/ | ||
| - | +, monthly subscription - 250 rubles | + | https://www.carambis.ru/programs/downloads.html | Windows 7, 8, 10 | |
| + | +, 11 $ per year | -, manual update in the free version | https://www.drivermax.com/ | Windows Vista, 7, 8, 10 | |
| -, 13 days trial period | +, 30 $ | + | http://www.drivermagician.com/ | Windows XP/2003/Vista/7/8/8.1/10 | |
| Intel Driver Update | + | - | -, Intel only | https://www.intel.ru/content | Windows 10, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, Windows 7, Vista, XP |
| + | - | -, AMD video cards only | https://www.amd.com/en/support/kb/faq/gpu-driver-autodetect | Windows 7, 10 | |
| NVIDIA Update Experience | + | - | -, only Nvidia video cards | https://www.nvidia.ru/object/nvidia-update-ru.html | Windows 7, 8, 10 |
Many of the programs presented in the list will simplify the search and installation of drivers with the click of a single key. You just have to take a closer look at the applications and choose what seems most convenient and suitable in terms of functions.
For a long time, reinstalling or updating drivers turned into a real headache for many inexperienced users. And the main problem was not so much in installing them, but in finding a new or correct version.
The fact is that the components included in the system unit may belong to different manufacturers, and it is not always possible to determine the brand using special ones.
Well, don’t open the system unit just to find out the brand of the manufacturer of a particular device. Fortunately, there are programs that allow you to reinstall or update drivers in a fully automatic mode and without any additional knowledge or experience.
In this review, we will look at the five most well-known driver update programs.
Driver Genius Professional Edition driver update program
Among the additional features of Driver Checker, we can note the export function. This unusual tool is designed to download new versions of drivers from any computer with access to the Internet. In this case, Driver Checker creates a special html file, opening which in the browser, the user will be taken to a page where all the drivers marked by the program can be downloaded individually.
Driver Updater – Driver Magician
An alternative solution for searching and updating drivers can be the Driver Magician program from the developers of GoldSolution Software.
The program is easy to use and has a lightweight, minimal interface. In addition to the commercial version, which costs $29.95, there is a lightweight version with reduced functionality that is distributed completely free of charge.
Unfortunately, using the free version you can only back up and restore those drivers that are already installed on the system. Update tools are included only in the commercial version.
The operating algorithm of Driver Magician is somewhat different from the applications described above. You should start working with this program by updating the database, after which you must create a backup copy of all detected drivers. If the program displays a list of drivers not supplied by Microsoft (they are marked in red), then before making a reservation, select “Find all drivers” in the main menu.
By default, Driver Magician copies drivers to a separate folder as separate files, but if desired, the user can specify a different type of backup in the settings. Driver Magician supports the creation of a zip archive, a self-extracting exe archive, and an executable auto-installation file.
After scanning the system, Driver Magician will display a list of drivers available for update, indicating the version, class (type), device, release date and vendor information.
A distinctive feature, or better yet, a disadvantage of Driver Magician is the lack of an automatic update function, which means that each driver has to be downloaded manually.
However, that's not all. The program does not detect many outdated drivers, although new versions have long been available on the manufacturer’s website.
The absence of the Russian language in the official version and the relatively high price with such weak functionality are hardly in favor of this application. The conclusion suggests itself - Driver Magician is significantly inferior to the Driver Checker and Driver Genius programs and can only be used as an additional tool.
Driver search program – DriverMax
If the price of the applications discussed above does not suit you, or you prefer to use free software, we recommend that you pay attention to the program. This simple utility is intended primarily for reinstalling drivers, but can just as successfully be used to detect outdated ones and download the latest versions.
Unfortunately, there is no Russian language in the program. But DriverMax is free, although to work with it you will need to register on the developer’s website.
You can create an account directly in the program window by specifying your email address, login and user password. The email address must be real, as a letter will be sent to it asking you to confirm your registration.
After this, you can use the program without any problems. According to the operating algorithm, DriverMax is somewhat reminiscent of Driver Magician. Before updating, you must make a backup copy of all or selected drivers, saving each of them in a separate folder or compressing them into a single zip archive. After which you can begin analyzing and actually downloading new versions for devices detected by the program.
It is interesting that DriverMax performs the initial analysis (indexing) of the drivers installed in the system during its own installation. You can check the system for outdated ones every time you start the program.
DriverMax divides all detected drivers into two categories: correct and requiring updating, and in addition, the program can tell you which device drivers are missing. From the report provided by DriverMax you can find out the version, creation date, number of required files and information about the developer. Like Driver Magician, DriverMax does not have an automatic driver installation feature. After clicking the “Download” button, the program redirects the user to its “home” website, from where all the necessary drivers can be downloaded manually.
The shortcomings are all obvious - lack of the Russian language, lack of trust from users, automatic update functions, inconvenient interface... On a five-point scale, the program does not achieve more than a three.
Driver update program – DriverPack Solution
And last on our list is a wonderful software product called DriverPack Solution. This famous application combines functionality, security, high efficiency and ease of use in the best possible way. At the same time, DriverPack Solution is completely free, does not require installation and can be launched from any portable media.
Unlike the applications discussed above, DriverPack Solution does not use an Internet connection - once you download the program, which includes a huge number of drivers for different devices, you can use it whenever you want.
The DriverPack Solution package includes drivers for the operating systems Windows XP, Vista, 7, both bits, as well as a number of free programs. On the manufacturer's website, the program can be downloaded from a torrent, which is very convenient, since it allows the user to independently choose which driver packages to download.
To start working with the program, you should run the DriverPack Solution.exe file. The program will scan the system and, upon completion of the scan, display a list of outdated and missing ones and offer to update (install) them. At the same time, you can take advantage of the additional features of the package - install the software included in DriverPack Solution, update, test RAM, etc.
DriverPack Solution supports two operating modes: simple, when the program performs all operations itself, without any user intervention, and advanced (expert mode). Working in expert mode, the user can independently decide which drivers need to be updated and which not. In the new, twelfth version, the developers have finally implemented the function of creating backup copies. Moreover, it is possible to create backups of two types: from the current program database and from drivers already installed in the system.
It’s only surprising why this much-needed function was not implemented earlier, because even such a smart program as DriverPack Solution cannot provide a 100% guarantee that all updated drivers will work correctly.
This list could go on and on, but does this make sense? You can find a couple dozen more similar, but less well-known programs on the network. Why less famous? Perhaps because in fact they are not that good anymore and it is for this reason that they have not received user recognition. And this is a very important criterion when choosing any software, regardless of what task it was created to solve. If you follow him, you won't go wrong. And finally, perhaps it’s worth saying a few more words.
Programs for updating drivers are, of course, a thing, but still you shouldn’t get too carried away with searching and installing the latest versions of drivers. If your system works stably and without errors, do not rush to update the drivers, much less experiment with them - otherwise it may not end at all as expected.
Users often encounter problems related not to “bugs” in programs or the operating system, but to drivers. For example, if there is no driver for the network card, you will not be able to set up an Internet connection, and an incorrectly installed video card driver means that not a single game will run.
Specialists who often set up computers and laptops know this problem firsthand. This article will introduce you to the most effective driver update applications. So, let's start setting up your computer.
Driver Pack Solution
Driver Pack Solution(Driver Pack Solution) is one of the best utilities for updating drivers. The program is implemented in ISO image format. This is a virtual disk that is opened through a special program (for example, Daemon Tools or Alcohol 120%). The ISO image is large (about 11 GB). But there is also a version that takes up much less space and requires the Internet to work.
An important feature of the application is that it can be used on computers without an Internet connection. Many other driver update programs must go to the Internet to download the required driver from there. And this is the key advantage: you download the image only once and use it.
Open the downloaded file and the program will automatically scan your computer. Based on the scanning results, a report similar to this is issued (in the screenshot below):
The user needs to check the boxes of those drivers that need to be installed and click the button to begin the operation. Some users prefer to click " Update all" This operation takes no more than 10-15 minutes, after which the computer or laptop receives all the required drivers. In some cases, you have to look for rare drivers yourself, since they may not be in the program database. However, this does not happen often - after all, the assembly is quite large.
Driver Booster
Convenient Russian-language program with a free version. It will quickly scan your computer and identify old drivers.
The utility will not only show outdated drivers, but will also mark the criticality of the update, that is, those drivers that are strongly recommended to be updated as soon as possible.
A special feature of the application is the ability to update drivers in the background. You press one button and the program starts the installation. A checkpoint is automatically created to roll back the system to a working state if the installation of new drivers fails.
If you often deal with drivers (you professionally configure computers, update programs), this utility will be very popular in your software package.
Driver Checker
It is impossible not to mention this useful utility. Imagine the situation: you are about to reinstall the Windows operating system, but you have not saved a single working driver for your devices. This application allows you to create backup copies of all active drivers in use, and then restore them on a new OS. In such situations, the program turns out to be indispensable!
The utility is very easy to use. Launch it, and it will prompt you to scan the system. Example in the screenshot:
After the scan is completed, the program will provide a report indicating which drivers need updating.
Slim Drivers
A simple and free program for checking drivers and updating them.
It is not capable of installing drivers in the background, but will quickly scan your hard drive and provide a list of direct links to new drivers. Naturally, this saves a lot of time.
The program has found 5 outdated drivers and offers to update them.
DriverMax
Another simple and fast program for searching and updating drivers. It only takes 10-20 seconds to scan your computer. There are two versions of the utility: free and professional. For home use, the free version is sufficient.
The interface is made in English, but there are no difficulties - everything is intuitive. During the first launch, the program offers to scan the system. Click the button to start the scanning process.
Once the scan is complete, DriverMax generates a recommendation report, indicating which drivers need to be updated. The report is very detailed and understandable.
