Find driver for hardware

This will often provide a direct link. Normally, you might not find native Windows 10 drivers. If this is the case, use the latest Windows drivers available for your model. So if they only have Windows 7 drivers, try using those. Make sure you download the right drivers for your architecture 32 or 64 bit. Proceed to download the appropriate drivers after selecting your version of Windows. The manufacturer might list two versions of the driver, always choose the latest.

Again, the procedures will vary, but as long as you can find the drivers and download section, normally available within Support, you should be able to get to the drivers. If you are reading this before upgrading, try having the essential drivers in advance. If your driver was not detected or installed by Windows Update, you can try installing the driver manually if you have a compatible version.

Windows 10 and previous versions of Windows such as Windows 7 share the same driver model, so it should work. Here I have selected to use an existing driver, browse to where the driver is located on your computer, whether that is a partition, network share, thumbdrvie or install disc.

Make sure the option to Include subfolders is checked. If both Windows Update and driver update prove unsuccessful, the next option is Troubleshoot Compatibility. Troubleshoot Compatibility provides a simple way to make older drivers work under modern versions of Windows by making the driver believe it is being installed on a supported version of Windows. The first thing you need to do is point where the setup files are located.

Right click the setup file for the program, this can be designated as setup. Click Troubleshoot Compatibility. Depending on the problems you are experiencing when attempting to install or use the software, check off the problems. In my case:. Select a version of Windows the program is known to work in.

I notice the program works great in Windows Vista with Service Pack 2 , so I will select that option. Click Next. Proceed to run the through the programs setup routine by clicking Test the program…. If you have a driver such as your video card automatically installing upon completion of installation and checking for Windows Update, try disabling automatic driver installation using the instructions in the following thread:.

How to block automatic reinstall of a driver. Go to the hardware developers website, download the appropriate driver for your model then install in compatibility mode using the instructions above. How to install and Configure a Printer in Windows Was this article helpful? Analyze your BSOD crashes.

If you experience crashes in Windows, we provide an analysis tool to better identify the cause. This information is technical and intended for advanced users. This service provides direct access to the Driverscloud driver database. All the drivers of the database are sorted by manufacturer, then by component. Find out if there are any software or firmware updates available that will make the device work with Device Stage, and confirm that the device actually supports Device Stage.

Device Stage might need your permission to download information about your device. Check to see if there's a message in Device Stage telling you that updated information is available, and then follow the instructions.

Your computer might not be connected to the Internet. Device Stage can't download information about your device if you're offline. Try connecting the device later when you're online.

Device Stage might be trying to download information about your device. Wait a few minutes and see if Device Stage is able to find the information, especially if this is the first time you've connected the device to your computer. Device Stage will keep trying to download information about your device, even if the location where that information is stored is busy.

If you don't want to wait, try connecting the device again later. Windows 7 More Support for Windows 7 ended on January 14, We recommend you move to a Windows 11 PC to continue to receive security updates from Microsoft.

To have Windows automatically download recommended drivers and icons. If you want to have Windows Update automatically check for the latest drivers and icons, here's how: Open Devices and Printers by clicking the Start button , and then, on the Start menu, clicking Devices and Printers.

To install drivers and other optional updates from Windows Update. Here's how to do this: Open Windows Update by clicking the Start button. Notes: Windows Update tells you if an update is important, recommended, or optional. Some updates require you to restart your computer. Windows Update will tell you if the updates were successfully installed. If Windows can't find information about your device in Device Stage.

For example, when installing Windows 8. One of the Hardware Ids was:. I downloaded and installed the driver , and bingo!