Windows Drivers

Windows drivers are programs required by the operating system (Windows 2000, NT, XP or Vista) to perform their functions and interface between the operating system and all of the installed hardware components comprising your PC or laptop.

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Every Windows driver is coded specifically based on the version of the operating system it was designed for (98, ME, 2000, NT, XP, Vista). This means the Windows operating system requires a different set of drivers for its basic I/O functions for each hardware device installed in the operating system.

Every hardware component installed into a PC or laptop requires specific "device drivers" that allow it to interface with operating system software and applications installed on the system. The Windows operating system must detect and install the hardware device (i.e. sound card, monitor, mouse, printer, scanner or camera) before the device can be used. These device drivers serve as communication pathways between the computer operating system, the software applications and the hardware installed in the computer.

Types of Windows Drivers

There are generally two main categories of Windows drivers installed in a Windows operating system, they are:

Problems with Windows Drivers

The Windows operating systems are known to be incompatible with many hardware components on the market today - in many cases device drivers fail to properly install in Windows Vista. 

To identify specific problems with Windows drivers, you initially need to determine if there were:

Windows driver problems are quite rare with Windows XP since most programs are already updated to the latest version. However, Windows Vista suffers from a wide range of device driver and hardware incompatibility issues. The simple solution for many of these hardware/operating system conflicts is to download a new set of drivers from the Internet.

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Installing a New Windows Driver Online

If you experienced any of the problems listed above with your version of Windows, it is advisable that you upgrade your drivers by downloading and installing the most recent versions available from the Microsoft website. Follow these simple steps:

Microsoft offers an extensive online knowledge database that allows you to accurately determine the cause of your problems with Windows. It provides information about the drivers that can resolve the issue and some instructions on how to install them. As an alternative, you may find it more helpful to download a driver updating application. These applications automatically search out the most current driver and install it correctly into your PC or laptop operating system. Not only will this save you time but also ensure the right driver is installed in the right location within the operating system.

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