Automatic driver search & update on Windows?

I have a Dell laptop issued by my employer, and I always find it a real pain to search for, download and maintain their drivers. It baffles me that there does not seem to be a nice way (product, website, ...) to just download the stuff you need, without hassle. The same goes for the other Windows based laptops in my direct environment.

Are there any (preferably free) automated solutions available? Or do you have a nice workflow - other than searching the manufacturers website - to help smoothing this process?

Ben

Posted 2009-08-18T09:11:09.420

Reputation: 474

1Drivers do not need to be regularly and routinely updated. If there is not a specific problem with a driver, there is no need to change it. There are many third party driver updaters, but they tend to frequently be in error, identifying incorrect drivers, finding older drivers to replace more current ones, finding retail drivers to replace OEM drivers, etc. – fixer1234 – 2015-02-02T06:48:48.847

1For Dell products: What's wrong just going to their support site and entering your Service Tag? Easy and customized. – afrazier – 2011-11-17T02:06:03.523

Sometimes the easiest path is to use something like CPU-Z to identify the hardware and then download the drivers from the manufacturer. – Camilo Martin – 2012-02-03T15:08:24.970

Answers

Drivermax is ~~free and~~ the best and supports Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7/8, 64 and 32-bit.

bobbylight

Posted 2009-08-18T09:11:09.420

Reputation: 58

This is just what I needed, nice and free (if you agree to upload your driver information, not an issue for me) – Ben – 2009-08-25T12:13:56.977

1Not free anymore :-(
Latest version: 5.31 (free program, paid update available) – Mehper C. Palavuzlar – 2009-11-09T14:51:59.463

1Only allow to download 2 driver updates per day for now. I prefer SlimDriver free usage - got to byte the bullet to click download & install manually – Nam G VU – 2013-08-17T09:25:26.000

Update Notifier is one of my favorite FREEWARE programs. However, Driver Checker is also a good one.

Progint

Posted 2009-08-18T09:11:09.420

Reputation: 31

DriverChecker does seem to be the tool I was looking for, too bad it's payware to update the drivers though. Then again, a tool that scans for outdated drivers is a godsend. – Ben – 2009-08-19T09:37:44.343

1Update Notifier only appears to check for software and not drivers... – TGP1994 – 2013-11-02T20:23:56.667

Try using Secunia PSI. It can update drivers and other apps!

kajdehoop

Posted 2009-08-18T09:11:09.420

Reputation:

Not exactly what I was looking for, but a very nice app, thanks! – Ben – 2009-08-18T17:46:11.947

Driver Genius is what I use.

CGA

Posted 2009-08-18T09:11:09.420

Reputation: 3 767

I use SlimDrivers to update my drivers.

Young Pizza

Posted 2009-08-18T09:11:09.420

Reputation: 116

This is the best tool to me with awesome free usage! With paid version, the update is fully automated. In free version, we have to click manually to install updates – Nam G VU – 2013-08-17T09:18:40.550