Many tech blogs would suggest you update driver on your own instead of using a driver update software or tool. However, it depends sometimes. But if you insist on updating hardware drivers yourself, this is the super detailed tutorials to guide you to updating drivers in Windows manually, with screenshots for each step.

Tips: If you are trying to improve your Windows 10 performance by updating your hardware drivers, it is not recommended. Since hard drives have a finite lifetime and can fail suddenly without warning, it’s strongly recommended you to use free backup software like Neptune SystemCare to create a system restore point. The backup system gives you a safe protection from spontaneous disk failures. Like this:

Step 1 Open Neptune SystemCare and find the second button on the tool bar from left to right.

Step 2 You can restore your Windows good shape by clicking on the third button.

How to Update Drivers in Windows 10

Install drivers using Device Manager

1. Open Windows 10 Device Manager by pressing Win + X on the keyboard at the same time and clicking Device Manager. Or go to Control Panel to open it.

2. In Device Manager window, expand categories and locate the device that you wish to update the driver for. For instance, if you try to switch your Network router or network-related stuff, expand the device under Network Adapters. Then right-click on the device name and select Update Driver Software…


3. In the new pop-up window, there are two options.

Search automatically for updated driver software - its possible Windows might have the driver software if you have not checked it yet, if it's taking too long, then the next option is usually best.

Browse my computer for driver software - if there is a compatible driver and you already have the driver files, then all you need to do is point to it and Windows automatically install it for you.

4. Click on Browse to find the location of the downloaded driver file. You can copy and paste the location address of the downloaded driver files to the box.

5. Click on Next button to install the driver.

Using Compatibility Mode to Resolve Driver problems

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.

1. Locate the setup file. 

Open File Explorer (Windows key + E) and open the location where the setup files are stored.

Right click the setup file. This can be designated as setup.exe or something similar. Click Troubleshoot Compatibility. This will launch the Program Compatibility Troubleshooter which will check for issues.

2. Select the option Troubleshoot program.

Depending on the problems you are experiencing when attempting to install or use the software, check off the problems. Then keeping clicking Next.

Proceed to run through the programs setup routine by clicking Test the program….

Follow the on-screen instructions to install the program as you normally would.

If all is successful, click the option at the end: Yes, save these settings for this program.

3. Wait while your settings for the program are saved. Click Close.

If you do find that the driver update caused some kind of problem, just roll back the driver to the previous version and then try updating it again.