Microsoft Drivers
Microsoft drivers are also known as Windows drivers. These "device drivers" are programs coded specifically for Microsoft Windows operating systems and the devices (i.e. sound cards, DVD drives, mouse) installed in your PC or laptop.
Microsoft drivers conform to the protocol of the Windows Driver Model (WDM) and provide an efficient means of connecting the computer's operating system, software applications and hardware components. This provides a framework for many device drivers introduced with Microsoft Windows 98, 2000, ME, XP, Server 2003, and Vista.
Types of Microsoft Drivers
You will need to understand the different types of Microsoft drivers installed in your operating system to ensure the optimal performance of the various hardware devices installed in your PC or laptop. These driver types include:
- Function Driver. This is considered as the main driver for a specific device. Function drivers are coded by the hardware manufacturer of the device that will conform to the specification of your system.
- BUS Drivers. These types of Microsoft drivers are regarded as controllers. Acting as the bridge or adapter, these programs are needed for the functionality of common buses in a computer such as PCI, PnPISA, SCSI, Firewire, and USB - all under a specific Windows operating system.
- Filter Drivers. These Microsoft drivers are also known as optional programs that add or modify certain features of a device installed in your system. Filter drivers are capable of simultaneously servicing two or more devices operating at the same time (i.e. monitor and keyboard).
Given the number of computer systems, hardware components (i.e. graphics cards, sound cards, wireless keyboards, DVD burner) and operating systems it is not surprising there are compatibility issues between the operating system and the hardware devices installed on your PC or laptop - this is especially the case with the MS Windows XP and Vista operating systems.
Microsoft drivers can be downloaded directly from the Microsoft Corporation website. You can find the right device driver for your system and devices through a search engine embedded on the site.
Technical support and documentation are readily available for different computer specifications online. The Microsoft website is the perfect resource for troubleshooting and correcting possible issues that may appear during and after the installation of your device drivers.
Given the sheer number of Microsoft drivers available, you may wish to update your drivers using a driver utility program available from the Internet. These labour-saving applications will automatically update and install the correct drivers needed by your computer. This saves your valuable time and takes the confusion out of having to manually configure your system.
Most Popular Drivers
- Acer Drivers
- APPLE Drivers
- Asus Drivers
- ATI Drivers
- Audio Drivers
- BIOS Drivers
- CD Drivers
- Canon Drivers
- Chipset Drivers
- Compaq Drivers
- Dell Drivers
- Digital Camera Drivers
- Display Drivers
- DVD Drivers
- eMachines Drivers
- Epson Drivers
- Flash Drive Drivers
- Gateway Drivers
- Graphics Card Drivers
- HP Drivers
- iMac Drivers
- Intel Drivers
- Jump Drive Drivers
- Keyboard Drivers
- Laptop Device Drivers
- Leopard O/S Drivers
- Lexmark Drivers
- Linksys Drivers
- Logitech Drivers
- Microsoft Drivers
- Modem Drivers
- Monitor Drivers
- Motherboard Drivers
- Mouse Drivers
- MSI Drivers
- Network Card Drivers
- nVIDIA Drivers
- Operating System Drivers
- PC Device Drivers
- Printer Drivers
- Realtek Drivers
- Scanner Drivers
- Sound Card Drivers
- Toshiba Drivers
- USB Drive Drivers
- USB (Port) Drivers
- Video Card Drivers
- Vista Drivers
- Webcam Drivers
- Windows Drivers