Starting to master a computer, many do not understand why it is necessary to periodically perform certain manipulations. The biggest mystery for most novice users is that they are device drivers - and how should they be used correctly? Why are they constantly updated? Are these components necessary in the system?
What it is: device drivers
The driver is a special software, due to which certain settings and changes are made to the system. This software helps to identify additional devices, improve the graphics performance of the monitor and much more. By and large, they affect the whole system as a whole. At the same time, device drivers are components that are used not only for laptop computers, but also for many other devices. These include smartphones, tablets, game consoles, and more.
Without them, PC operation would be virtually impossible.
What devices should be installed on the computer
You need to understand that almost every device has its own built-in drivers. When connecting these products to a computer, they must be determined by the system. This also happens thanks to the drivers. As a rule, modern Windows systems do not require the installation of additional software for phone flash drives or other miniature devices. However, sometimes they may still be needed.
Be sure to install device drivers needed for video, sound, network and motherboards. Also, the software is necessary for the proper functioning of webcams, multifunction devices, scanners, printers and much more.
And why does Windows need to install drivers?
This is a logical question, since many years ago, when the first computers appeared in the world, their operating system worked without additional programs. By and large, all applications communicated with each other thanks to the hardware. Therefore, it was possible, for example, to print a text document and immediately print it. However, in those days, the computer did not require much functionality. Today's system architecture is much more complex and allows PCs to perform many more diverse operations.
Therefore, device drivers in Windows 7 have already become a full-fledged part of the operating system. In this case, it is much easier to work with third-party devices that connect to a computer or laptop. Thanks to this communication between each other, it is much easier for the system to send commands that will meet certain Microsoft standards.
Why update your Windows device drivers?
This question can also be considered fair, because if we say that the driver is a certain program, then why should it be updated periodically? There are several reasons for this. Firstly, old software may occasionally fail, which is why more modern files are being developed that must be installed on your computer. This is because the first downloadable device drivers were developed many years ago and contained a huge number of errors, as they were created in a huge hurry.
Accordingly, today's developments are aimed at correcting the flaws of the past. But it all depends on the form in which the necessary software is installed. For example, manufacturers of many gadgets release drivers on separate CDs. Such software rarely needs updating, as it has been running for several years without any changes. The same can be said for storage drivers. For example, for flash drives they are rarely updated.
Most often, this procedure is performed for graphics drivers that are responsible for the operation of the video card on the computer. They are considered the most difficult. In addition, in the graphic sphere, changes occur almost daily: graphics rendering speed improves, visualization increases, quality also jumps to a higher level constantly. Old peripheral device drivers cannot cope with new tasks efficiently, so developers create new programs that can meet updated requirements.
If you do not perform an update in a timely manner, this may affect system performance; the computer will start to work much more slowly.
If drivers are part of the system, are they updated with Windows?
Microsoft has not yet taken responsibility for the supply of new software versions for each individual device. This is because the software does not always work correctly and in this case, the owners of the corporation may receive a number of losses in connection with the charges against them. Therefore, for each part of the system is responsible for its manufacturer. Accordingly, if an Nvidia graphic card is installed on the laptop computer, then the drivers for it must be asked not with Microsoft, but with Nvidia. The same goes for other components.
When updating Windows, the operating system itself is processed exclusively today, that is, its main files.
How to update drivers yourself
The easiest way is to simply go to the manufacturer’s website of the specific device. For example, if we are talking about an HP printer, then you need to find a web portal for this company. On any of these sites you can find files for downloading updated drivers.
As a rule, to determine what kind of software you need to select, just enter the name of the device model, serial number and other data by which the system can automatically find the files you need.
Installing software that is not suitable for a particular system is not recommended. This can cause certain program crashes.
Some people find it easier to find drivers if you use a search engine and type in the name of the product for which you need software. However, this is strongly discouraged. Yes, indeed, there are a huge number of sites that were created special in order to help novice users understand the system. Some of them contain useful information. However, 80% of these sources are viral.
After the user downloads the selected file, he unknowingly downloads malicious software to his computer. After that, the problems will be not only with third-party devices, such as a printer or scanner, but also with the whole system. In addition, the owners of such sites rarely follow the latest updates. If you install a previous version of the driver, there is a big risk that the system will become more vulnerable.
Driver Update Services
Some novice users are too unsure of their abilities and do not know how to properly find the site of the manufacturer of a product. Others simply do not have enough time to download, install, update and generally monitor the software on their computer.
To do this, on the Web you can find special services for updating drivers or other applications. However, you need to understand that such services are not free. Typically, these sites are people who are paid money to install official updates on their customers' systems. Usually you need to pay an annual subscription. Nevertheless, the user will always be sure that his computer is protected from the possible penetration of malicious programs. As a rule, in order to perform these operations, you need to install an additional application on the computer.
Where are the drivers stored
Most computers run on the Windows operating system. In this case, device drivers are installed by default in the system folder of drive “C”. In order to find them, just go to the Windows section in this directory and find the System 32 folder. In this case, the driver files can have a variety of extensions depending on the products for which they are used.
Finally
Device drivers are an important component necessary for the full operation of portable computer systems. If you do not update files in a timely manner, then over time some of the programs and modules will stop working. In addition, the computer may begin to overheat and turn off for no apparent reason. All this may result from the fact that the user did not worry about updating these components important for the PC.