How to identify some outdated your drivers with Windows Device Manager in Windows 11/10
![](/images/site-logo.png)
How to identify (some) outdated drivers with Windows Device Manager
Identifying outdated drivers with Device Manager is a very tedious process. You can’t tell, just by looking at the device in Device Manager, if its driver is out of date. You have to actually try to update the driver, If Windows thinks the driver is out of date, it will update it for you; if not, it will tell you you already have the latest driver.
IMPORTANT: As discussed later on this page, Windows Device Manager doesn’t always detect outdated drivers. Nor does it always give you the latest available version if you update a driver. If you want to be sure you have the latest available version of a driver, you need to source the driver directly from the device manufacturer or use a tool like ours, called Driver Easy , to do it automatically.
Why you can’t rely on Windows to keep your drivers up-to-date
Windows comes with an inbuilt tool, called ‘Windows Update’, that’s supposed to automatically keep your drivers up to date. Unfortunately, it doesn’t work very well.
There are two reasons why…
Device manufacturers often take a long time to get their drivers into a Windows Update – It’s a time-consuming and difficult process. Sometimes they just miss the deadline and have to wait ‘til the next Windows Update, and sometimes they just give up altogether. In fact, for older devices, this is the norm.
Windows Update ignores driver updates it considers ‘optional’ – It categorizes driver updates as either ‘critical’, ‘automatic’ or ‘optional’, and it doesn’t usually concern itself with the ‘optional’ ones – even when they’re actually important. You can install them manually by going to the ‘Optional updates’ screen but, even then, as described above, you’re unlikely to get all the latest drivers.
How to update all your drivers with just 1 click
The easiest way to automatically update your drivers is with our tool, Driver Easy Pro.
With Driver Easy Pro :
- You can update all your drivers with just one click.
- You don’t have to know anything about computers. Driver Easy will automatically recognize your system and all your devices, and install the latest correct drivers for you – direct from the manufacturer. You don’t need to know exactly what system your computer is running, you don’t need to risk downloading and installing the wrong drivers, and you don’t need to worry about making a mistake when installing.
- You get the latest version of every driver, direct from the manufacturer, certified safe and stable.
- You get all driver updates, even the ones Microsoft considers ‘optional’ and wouldn’t provide.
- You’re not relying on the device manufacturers getting their updated drivers into Windows Update on time (because we proactively source the latest drivers from them).
Here’s how Driver Easy works:
Step-by-step instructions
To automatically update to the correct version of all the drivers that are missing or out of date on your system:
(To automatically update all your drivers with 1 click, you’ll need the Pro version of Driver Easy. Don’t worry, it comes with a 30-day, no-questions-asked, money back satisfaction guarantee.)
- $29.95- Single Computer License / 1 Year
- $29.95 - 3 Computers License / 1 Year
- $59.95 - 5 Computers License / 1 Year
- $99.95 - 10 Computers License / 1 Year
- $269.95 - 30 Computers License / 1 Year
- $399.95 - 50 Computers License / 1 Year
- $795 - 100 Computers License / 1 Year
- Run the downloaded executable file and follow the on-screen prompts.
- Run Driver Easy and click
UPGRADE
.
- Paste or type the software key you were emailed when you bought Driver Easy.
- Click
Scan Now
. Driver Easy will then scan your computer and detect any devices with missing or outdated drivers.
- Click
Update All
to automatically download and install the correct version of all the drivers that are missing or out of date on your system. - That’s it. You can go grab a coffee, while Driver Easy does all the work for you!
Why update your drivers in Windows 11, 10 & Windows 7?
Many computer issues are caused by outdated device drivers. Particularly in Windows 10/11.
So if your computer has slowed down, you should update your drivers. If it’s crashing or hanging, update your drivers. If you can’t connect to the internet, update your drivers. If your mouse, keyboard, monitor or speakers are acting up, update your drivers. In fact, no matter what your issue, there’s a good chance updating your drivers will fix it.
To understand why, you first have to understand what drivers actually are…
What happens if a driver is missing or outdated?
Every now and then, Microsoft will change the commands Windows sends to one of your devices (e.g. your network card). When this happens, the manufacturer of that device need to change the device driver too. They need to teach it the new Windows commands. Otherwise the drivers won’t be able to translate those commands for your devices, and your devices won’t work properly.
The same thing needs to happen when your device manufacturer changes the way your device talks, or the things it can do. They need to change the driver too. Otherwise Windows won’t be able to talk to the device, or take advantage of its new functionality, and your device won’t work properly.
Now when we say “your device won’t work properly”, sometimes this means simply that you miss out on new functionality or minor bug fixes. But it’s often a lot more serious than that. Your computer may even hang, crash or stop working completely. Remember, there’s a driver that controls your hard drive, for instance. If Windows can’t talk to your hard drive, it can’t access any of the data on your drive. Similarly, if Windows can’t talk to your network card, you won’t be able to access the internet, and if it can’t talk to your graphics card, you won’t be able to see anything on your monitor. These are just a few of the more serious issues outdated drivers can cause.
Try Driver Easy for free
If you want the certainty of knowing your device drivers are always up to date (and not just sometimes up to date, which is all you get from Windows Device Manager), and you don’t have the time, patience or computer skills to continually update them manually, give the free version of Driver Easy a try.
The free version will identify all your outdated drivers, and allow you to download them all. But only one at a time and, once they’re downloaded, you have to manually install them using the standard Windows process. (To automatically update all your drivers with 1 click, you’ll need the Pro version of Driver Easy . Don’t worry, it comes with a 30-day, no-questions-asked, money back satisfaction guarantee.)
Also read:
- How to Recover iPhone 6 Data From iOS iTunes Backup? | Dr.fone
- How to Recover FaceTime Call History on iPhone 15 Pro Max | Stellar
- How to recover old videos from your Nokia C12 Plus
- How to Repair a Damaged video file of Y36i using Video Repair Utility on Windows?
- How To Restore Missing Contacts Files from Oppo Reno 10 Pro 5G.
- How to Repair Corrupt Excel 2016 Files
- How To Recover Lost Data from iPhone 14 Plus? | Dr.fone
- How to Restore Deleted P40+ Pictures An Easy Method Explained.
- How to Rescue Lost Videos from Civi 3
- How to recover deleted photos from Android Gallery after format on Oppo A78 5G
- How to remove Google FRP Lock on Realme Narzo N53
- How To Repair iPhone 6 Plus iOS System Issues? | Dr.fone
- How to Fix corrupt video files of Xiaomi 14 Pro using Video Repair Utility on Windows?
- How to Repair a Damaged video file of Infinix Hot 40?
- 5 Easy Ways to Copy Contacts from Vivo V30 to iPhone 14 and 15 | Dr.fone
- How to identify some outdated hardware drivers with Windows Device Manager in Windows 11/10
- How to Repair corrupt MP4 and MOV files of HTC using Video Repair Utility on Windows?
- How to recover deleted photos from Android Gallery without backup on Tecno Spark 20 Pro+
- How To Restore Missing Photos Files from Tecno Spark 10 5G.
- How To Recover Lost Data on iPhone 6s? | Dr.fone
- How To Repair iPhone X System? | Dr.fone
- How To Restore Missing Messages Files from Lava Agni 2 5G
- How To Restore Missing Messages Files from Honor X50i+
- How to remove Google FRP Lock on Itel A60
- How to recover deleted photos from Itel A70.
- How to Recover Deleted Videos from iPhone 14 Pro Max Without Backup? | Stellar
- How to recover deleted photos from Android Gallery without backup on Play 8T
- How to get back lost photos from Y77t.
- How to recover old videos from your Civi 3 Disney 100th Anniversary Edition
- How to recover lost data from S17?
- How to recover old music from your Y100 5G
- How to Repair Broken video files of Lava Blaze 2 Pro?
- How to recover deleted photos on Itel P55 5G
- How to Recover Deleted Photos from Android Gallery App on Realme
- How to retrieve erased music from Itel P40+
- How to Repair Broken video files of Pixel 8 on Windows??
- How to Fix Excel 2000 has Encountered a Problem | Stellar
- 2 Ways to Transfer Text Messages from Samsung Galaxy S23 to iPhone 15/14/13/12/11/X/8/ | Dr.fone
- How to Retrieve deleted photos on Spark 20C
- How to Repair a Damaged video file of 21 Pro?
- How To Restore Missing Music Files from Xiaomi Redmi 12
- How to get back lost photos from Motorola Moto G 5G (2023).
- How to Fix Videos Not Playing on Honor 90 Pro?
- How To Restore Missing Music Files from Nokia C300
- 4 Ways to Transfer Music from Itel P40 to iPhone | Dr.fone
- How to remove Google FRP Lock on G54 5G
- From Novice to Pro 20 Adobe Premiere Shortcuts to Take Your Skills to the Next Level for 2024
- Can’t view HEVC H.265 content on Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5
- 2024 Approved Adobe Premiere Pro 2023 A Step-by-Step Guide to Video Import and Export
- What Legendaries Are In Pokemon Platinum On Oppo A1x 5G? | Dr.fone
- Pokemon Go Error 12 Failed to Detect Location On Motorola Edge 40 Neo? | Dr.fone
- Free Video Rotator Tools A Comprehensive Guide for Windows, Mac, and Mobile
- In 2024, Why Your WhatsApp Location is Not Updating and How to Fix On Motorola Moto G34 5G | Dr.fone
- Reviewing the Live Streaming Shopping Industry in China
- 2024 Approved Unleash Your Creativity Best Tools for Converting Photos to Music Videos
- In 2024, Mastering Lock Screen Settings How to Enable and Disable on Vivo S17t
- In 2024, Unlock Your Boost Mobile Apple iPhone 6 Before the Plan Expires
- In 2024, How to Fake Snapchat Location without Jailbreak On Apple iPhone 6s Plus | Dr.fone
- Factory Reset Apple iPhone 12 | Dr.fone
- Top 10 AirPlay Apps in Oppo A78 5G for Streaming | Dr.fone
- Pokémon Go Cooldown Chart On Nokia C22 | Dr.fone
- How to Bypass Google FRP Lock on Vivo T2x 5G Devices
- In 2024, How to Change/Fake Your Realme GT 5 Location on Viber | Dr.fone
- How to Change Location On Facebook Dating for your Tecno Spark 10 4G | Dr.fone
- Guide to Completely Erase Data on iPhone SE (2020) to Avoid Privacy Leak | Stellar
- How To Do Vivo Y100 5G Screen Sharing | Dr.fone
- Pokemon Go No GPS Signal? Heres Every Possible Solution On Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max | Dr.fone
- What to do if your iPhone 12 Pro Max has bad ESN or blacklisted IMEI?
- How to Unlock SIM Card on Nokia C300 online without jailbreak
- In 2024, How to Fake Snapchat Location without Jailbreak On Samsung Galaxy F15 5G | Dr.fone
- In 2024, Additional Tips About Sinnoh Stone For Oppo K11 5G | Dr.fone
- Here Are Some Reliable Ways to Get Pokemon Go Friend Codes For Huawei Nova Y91 | Dr.fone
- Create a Stunning Slideshow A Step-by-Step Guide for 2024
- Fake the Location to Get Around the MLB Blackouts on Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra | Dr.fone
- New Text To Speech | Wondershare Virbo Online
- In 2024, How to Fake Snapchat Location without Jailbreak On Realme GT 3 | Dr.fone
- In 2024, How Do I Stop Someone From Tracking My Xiaomi Redmi Note 12T Pro? | Dr.fone
- Video Fixer Software for all Corrupt Videos of Find N3 Flip
- In 2024, The Ultimate Guide to Unlocking Apple Watch Or Apple iPhone 12 from iCloud
- In 2024, Detailed Guide on Removing Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max Activation Lock without Previous Owner?
- How To Unlock Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max 3 Ways To Unlock
- How to Fix the Soft Bricked Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Pro 5G? | Dr.fone
- Ultimate Guide to Catch the Regional-Located Pokemon For OnePlus Nord N30 5G | Dr.fone
- Title: How to identify some outdated your drivers with Windows Device Manager in Windows 11/10
- Author: Nova
- Created at : 2024-05-19 18:32:13
- Updated at : 2024-05-21 02:34:23
- Link: https://blog-min.techidaily.com/how-to-identify-some-outdated-your-drivers-with-windows-device-manager-in-windows-1110-by-drivereasy-guide/
- License: This work is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0.