Driver Detector software

Raksha

Can anyone recommend easy to use, free, driver updating software that doesn't require registration?

Thanks

poppy10_2

Raksha wrote: »

Can anyone recommend easy to use, free, driver updating software that doesn't require registration?

Thanks

Most of these types of program are a bad idea. Bloated and error-prone. Most important driver updates will be available via Windows update, and you can manually updatethe rest.

Dan_Gleebitz

Raksha wrote: »

Can anyone recommend easy to use, free, driver updating software that doesn't require registration?

Thanks

I find these work perfectly fine. As a new user I am not allowed to post links so search in google for the following.
Intel® Driver Update Utility

and

NVIDIA Driver Downloads



Dan

JJ_Egan

Device Manager update driver and use internet .

jje

A.Penny.Saved

poppy10 wrote: »

Most of these types of program are a bad idea. Bloated and error-prone. Most important driver updates will be available via Windows update, and you can manually updatethe rest.

I Agree, they tend to cause more problems than they solve and driver updates are not really necessary if your PC works fine. Display drivers tend to be the ones that might need updating especially if you are a gamer.

If it ain't broke then don't fix it is very apt in this situation.

Raksha

Thanks for all the help, it was #3 son who is a devoted gamer who was asking - have steered him in the direction of the Windows updates

A.Penny.Saved

It would probably be best to just check the relevant page on the ATI/nVidia site and see what the changes are and whether they will benefit you. Do some searching for problems encountered as updates are not always beneficial and can just create problems like recent nVidia drivers have done for some people. BSOD being one of them.

So unless it fixes a problem with a specific game your son plays then it probably isn't worth doing as it could just cause problems such as BSOD's or other trouble. Keep a note of which one your using before the update. Restore previous driver might not work and a total uninstall of the driver and clean before re-install might be needed to resolve things if the new drivers don't work properly.

paddyrg

Updating drivers is unlikely to improve game speed etc in any meaningful way. Replacing the graphics card itself may be a better plan if the machine is struggling.

GunJack

As above, leave well alone if possible, and maufacturer's websites are the best places especially for graphics drivers. Windows Updates will do some, but not all.

I have used Driver Max sparingly with good results, but only as a last resort if I can't find stuff via the other means

Hammyman

poppy10 wrote: »

Most of these types of program are a bad idea. Bloated and error-prone. Most important driver updates will be available via Windows update, and you can manually updatethe rest.

Actually they're not if you've got gear and no idea where to get them from even after decoding the PCI_ID. I use Driver Detective. I was so impressed by it I paid for it. The best part is that not only does it identify the driver but they host them on their own webspace so you're not stuck downloading 80MB of driver from Taiwan at 5kbps.

However for mainstream hardware, manufacturers sites all the way.

Hammyman

Raksha wrote: »

Thanks for all the help, it was #3 son who is a devoted gamer who was asking - have steered him in the direction of the Windows updates

Please don't. AMD or nVidias website depending on what graphics card he has. The Windows Update ones are woefully out of date.