A program for finding drivers and installing. Computer tips

After reinstalling the operating system, people often find that half of the hardware on the computer is left without drivers. What is the reason for this is difficult to say. On the one hand, they promise us that Windows has all the necessary drivers and should automatically install them, on the other hand, half of the equipment may refuse to work. Especially often this happens with firewood on network cards. In order not to waste personal time, many users prefer to use special utilities. A program for automatically searching and installing drivers is a salvation for many, but even here there are pitfalls. But first things first.

Windows

The most basic program for automatically finding and installing drivers is Windows Update. To get there, right-click on the "Computer" icon and select "Properties". In the list in the lower left corner of the open window, find the inscription "Update Center".

After you go into it, you need to click on "Search for updates." In this case, this is a long and tedious procedure, so you can safely leave the computer and move on to "have a cup of tea." After the process is completed, the window will be updated and you will be prompted with “Install Updates”. You have two options:

1. If you are using a licensed OS, you can just click "Update." Your system will install all possible and affordable drivers and fill the gaps in the protection of the system.
2. For owners of pirated OSes, everything is not so simple. You need to select "Important updates" and find in the list those that will relate exclusively to the "hardware" of your personal computer. Otherwise, you risk knocking down the activation of your OS and get even more problems.

However, for those who do not want to take risks, there are many other options. A free program for finding and installing drivers is not uncommon.

Driver detective

Based on the description of the program that the publisher presents to us, it could be better. The small size and quick scan of the computer are important parameters for any application. However, Driver Detective is a program for locating and installing Windows drivers that deceives users. Those declared advantages that we have listed should undoubtedly entice, but what to do with the minuses?

1. Judging by the reviews, some people have problems uninstalling the program. A logical question immediately follows: what were the creators of the application thinking about? By the way, problems with uninstalling the utility are one of the main signs of spyware and malware.
2. It does not work on Windows 7. Despite the fact that Microsoft has launched an active campaign to upgrade the version 7 of the OS to 10 for free, many users continue to use the Seven. The lack of support for the most popular “axis” is a huge minus to the developers.
3. The program has a small size only at first glance. After you download the installer, during installation it will start downloading data from the Internet. Immediately the question: what exactly does it download? If the installer itself is safe, who knows, how harmless are the files that come to the computer without our knowledge.
4. Lack of Russian language in the interface. A program for downloading drivers is simply required to have the Russian language so that an inexperienced user can read everything and understand where to reap.
5. The application is paid and costs around $ 30.

Device doctor

This program for finding drivers and installing them on a computer is already one of the acceptable options. Despite the fact that it requires payment, there is a free trial version, which is good for those who do not want to buy a pig in a poke.

1. This application takes only 10 megabytes on the hard drive and does not require installation of anything superfluous.
2. Unfortunately, the utility is in English only.
3. Initially, a free version is downloaded. In the course of work, a requirement will appear to upgrade to the PRO version, for which you need to pay a certain amount of money.
4. Supports OS up to Windows 7, but not higher.
5. Not enough backup options.
6. Does not automatically update drivers. This utility provides you with a choice of a whole list of system deficiencies found and how to resolve them, and you must do the rest yourself.

In general, we can say that this program for searching for drivers and installation works on a solid "four" and may well become your tool for a long time.

DriverPack Solution

Another program for finding drivers and installing them on a computer. By the way, if you try to use the usual search on the Internet, then most likely, this utility will be in the first place. But what will the user have to face? The developer gives you the opportunity to choose one of 2 versions.

1. Online - you install only the client. And then he searches the manufacturer’s website for the necessary “firewood”.
2. 7 gigabyte ISO image. Today it’s not such a big amount, but we will analyze the obvious disadvantages below.

Despite the fact that the volume of the program is quite small, users respond to it is not so flattering. The problem is that this application also installs a lot of unnecessary software on the computer. Imagine that you just want to update the drivers on a working computer, and this program puts several browsers, skype, audio codecs, archivers and so on on it. Why download as many as 7 gigabytes of information if you need to update only 1 driver with a capacity of 100 kilobytes?

In addition, the obvious disadvantage is that the database is incomplete. The application uses a very specific driver database on the developer's server, and that’s it. However, for a completely free application this is not so bad.

Driver booster

This is the latest program for finding drivers and installing them on a computer in automatic mode. We have already given a sufficient number of possible disadvantages and advantages of such programs, so here we will be brief. Pros:

1. Searches for drivers on all sites of equipment manufacturers. Thus, it is able to update absolutely any software for the computer.
2. It has a small size.

And the quite expected cons:

1. The program is paid, but there is also a free version. Unfortunately, if you want to save money, then downloading drivers will take a very long time.
2. Backup is available only in the paid version.
3. The price is about $ 75.

Possible problems

Of course, not everything is as smooth as we would like. Therefore, programs of this kind have some common drawbacks that you must always pay attention to.

1. Advertising and spam. If you decide to download a utility for automatically updating drivers, be sure to do it on a reliable site. Otherwise, you will not end up with problems with viruses.
2. Even if the program installs all the drivers in semi-automatic mode, it’s better to do it manually, because when you install them all together, a hardware conflict is possible. For example, if you started installing "firewood" on a video card, and then on a motherboard, then "vidyuha" may refuse to work. If your laptop has a built-in and removable video card, you must first install the drivers on the built-in, and only then on the removable, otherwise problems can not be avoided.
3. All programs, without exception, find old versions. Even the best program for finding and installing drivers does not work with the latest and new “releases”.

Conclusion

We introduced you to several programs for automatically updating drivers. What can be said in conclusion? All these utilities are presented to users as a tool that even a beginner can handle. But in fact, their use also requires training and certain knowledge, otherwise everything can turn into even bigger problems. So you do not really need a program for downloading drivers, because it is much easier to access the equipment manufacturer’s website yourself and download the latest updates from there.