Is your PC or laptop no longer running as smoothly as you used to, but you can’t figure out why? Then updating your drivers is a good first step. How do you get started on that?
Sven van Herck
We regularly receive questions from readers who struggle with their computers. Our first question is always whether the drivers of the various components have been recently updated. This often turns out not to be the case. There are several ways to update your drivers. In this workshop we will use Intel Driver & Support Assistant, an easy way to update some important drivers. Of course only for Intel-driven hardware.
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| Intel Driver & Support Assistant is easy to install |
STEP 1. DOWNLOAD
Intel Driver & Support Assistant can be found at www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/support/detect. html The advantage of this tool is that you don’t have to search for the correct driver yourself, because that happens automatically. Your computer’s configuration is automatically detected and the program makes recommendations based on that. To get started, download and install the tool from the website.
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| The Intel Driver & Support Assistant web interface is self-explanatory |
STEP 2. OVERVIEW
At the end of the installation, click launch. The tool will analyze the computer and redirect you to the Intel website, where you will see an overview of the available drivers. In our test, it turned out that only drivers for bluetooth and an Intel-specific update. Not the most important, unless you’re having trouble pairing devices via bluetooth. However, chipset drivers may also be available and you do want to install them. click on Download next to the desired driver and then install.
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| Restart your computer |
STEP 3. RESTART COMPUTER
After installing a new driver, it is important to restart your computer. Do this right away if you’re trying to fix problems, because that’s the only way you can be sure that an update has had the desired effect. You do not have to restart the computer for each driver. Installing multiple drivers and then restarting doesn’t hurt.
STEP 4. POSSIBLE PROBLEMS
Installing a new driver usually doesn’t cause any problems, but if something goes wrong, a good solution is to reinstall Windows from scratch. Make sure to back up your important files first, then type “Recovery Options” in the search box next to the Start menu. Select Reset this PC and then choose whether you want to keep your personal files or start from scratch. Reinstalling Windows has become a lot easier since Windows 10 and can now even be done without the original CD. Keep in mind that with a new installation you will also have to install the necessary drivers.
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| Does not it work? Then reinstall Windows |