How do I install a computer driver?
Answer:
Microsoft Windows users
Depending on how the driver has been packaged is what determines how the driver will be installed. Below is additional information about each of the methods developers use to distribute their drivers and how you would install the drivers in Microsoft Windows.
General driver tips
Below are some general insights to help prevent any additional frustration that may be encountered while installing drivers.
Drivers on CD or floppy diskettes:
Almost all computer and hardware manufacturers include a group of drivers for different hardware devices and often for each of the supported versions of Windows. For example, the driver CD you receive with your printer likely contains the drivers for dozens of different printers. Not just the printer you purchased, which means when installing the drivers make sure you're installing the drivers for your printer, not another printer model and that you're installing it for the version of Windows you're running on your computer.
Below is an example of how a file structure may look on your disk.
CD Example:
-PrinterA100
--Win9x
--Win2k
--WinXP
-PrinterA200
--Win9x
--Win2k
--WinXP
-PrinterB100
--Win9x
--Win2k
--WinXP
If for example you had a PrinterA200 and were using Windows XP you would find your drivers in the PrinterA200\WinXP directory.
Downloading drivers:
Almost all drivers you
download are going to be a single file if the file is not an
executable file it is almost definitely a
compressed file that contains all the driver files. In order to
install the driver you will first need to
uncompress the file. Additional information about how to uncompress a compressed file can be found on
document CH000506.
When extracting / uncompressing the drivers make sure to remember where you place the folder containing the drivers as you will need to point Windows to this folder when installing the drivers. We usually recommend users install the driver files in a folder on their desktop as it's an easy place to remember and locate.
Finally, the single file and/or the files extracted from the compressed file can be deleted after you have finished installing the drivers.
Executable
Many computer and hardware manufacturers today are pre-packaging their drivers into
executable files or have the drivers installed through the setup file, which means simply double-clicking the setup file or the file you download should install the drivers to the computer for you.
Note: Many developers may package their drivers in a compressed file, which means before looking for the setup file you may need to uncompress the downloaded file. Information about doing this was explained above. If after uncompressing the file it still does not contain an executable file, some type of setup file, or does not install your hardware device continue with the below recommendations.
Finally, if you were successful in installing your drivers make sure to
reboot the computer after the drivers have been installed.
Using the have disk option
Often computer manufacturers and hardware manufacturers will also simply place the drivers on the CD, diskette, or download for Windows to find and use during its hardware detection. Below are steps on how to install drivers for a new device and upgrade a devices driver for this type of setup.
Installing a new deviceUpgrading drivers for pre-existing device
Installing a new device
- Open Windows Device Manager. Information about how to do this can be found on document CH000833. In the Device Manager make sure the device you're attempting to install is not already listed from past install attempts. If the device is found highlight it and remove it from Device Manager to prevent any conflicts during the install.
- Once Device Manager looks ok reboot the computer.
- As the computer is rebooting an install new hardware wizard should appear if Windows detects the new hardware using this wizard you should be able to point Windows to the folder containing your drivers either on the CD, diskette, or the folder containing the files you downloaded.
If Windows does not detect any new hardware open
Control Panel and double-click the Add hardware icon to run the hardware detection wizard. During the steps you will have an option to tell Windows you have a disk containing the drivers for your new hardware device, at this point point Windows to the directory containing the drivers for your device.
Once drivers have been installed reboot.
Upgrading drivers for pre-existing device
- Open Windows Device Manager. Information about how to do this can be found on document CH000833. In the Device Manager locate the device you wish to update the drivers for.
- Right-click the device and click Properties.
- In the Properties window click the Driver tab.
- Click the Update Driver button.
- In the Hardware Update Wizard point Windows to the location of the updated drivers on your hard disk drive
Once drivers have been installed reboot.
Install through the .inf file
Finally, if the above recommendations do not work the installation instructions for drivers and hardware devices are always contained in a .inf file that is located within the drivers.
Locate the .inf for your version of Windows right-click that file and choose the option for install. Note this is a very raw form of installing a drivers and it is important that you make sure you're installing the correct .inf file and not a .inf file for another device or for a different version of Windows. Additional information and tips about locating the drivers was explained earlier in the
general driver tips section.
Once you have right-clicked and installed the driver reboot the computer
One of the above three recommendations should have installed / updated the drivers successfully onto the computer. If you're still having difficulties getting the device to install it's possible you're not encountering a hardware issue and not an issue with the drivers. Refer to the
troubleshooting steps for your hardware device for additional help and information.
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