Updating drivers does not have to be complicated. Device Manager gives you an easy graphical way to search for and install compatible drivers, while Command Prompt and PnPUtil provide a more direct method when you already have the appropriate driver package.
For most beginners, start with Device Manager. If Windows cannot find the driver you need and you have a manufacturer-provided INF driver package, CMD can be a useful alternative.
Always verify the hardware model and driver compatibility before installing anything, and restart Windows when required to make sure the new driver is fully active.
In this guide, you will learn both methods to update Windows drivers through Device Manager and CMD.
Update Drivers through Device Manager in Windows
To update a driver through Device Manager,
- Press Windows + X and select Device Manager.
- Find the hardware category containing the device whose driver you want to update.
- Right-click the device and select Update driver.
- Choose Search automatically for drivers to let Windows look for an available driver.
- If you already downloaded a driver package, choose Browse my computer for drivers and select its location.
- Follow the on-screen instructions and restart Windows if required.
Step 1: Open Device Manager
Start by opening Device Manager, which is the Windows utility used to view and manage installed hardware and its drivers. The quickest way to open it is to press Windows + X and select Device Manager from the menu.
You can also press Windows + R, type devmgmt.msc, and press Enter. Device Manager will open in a new window showing categories for different types of hardware.
Step 2: Find the Device You Want to Update
Look through the hardware categories in Device Manager to find the device you want to update. For example, a graphics adapter will normally appear under Display adapters, while a wireless network adapter can usually be found under Network adapters.
Click the small arrow beside a category to expand it. You will then see the individual devices installed on your PC. If you see a yellow warning icon next to a device, Windows may be reporting a driver or hardware-related problem with it.
Take a moment to identify the exact device before updating anything. Updating the wrong device is not usually useful, so checking the device name first is a good habit.
Step 3: Open the Driver Update Option
Once you locate the device, right-click it and select Update driver. Windows will open the Update Drivers window and give you options for finding the appropriate driver.
At this point, you generally have two choices. You can allow Windows to search for a suitable driver automatically, or you can manually point Windows toward a driver package that you have already downloaded.
Step 4: Let Windows Search Automatically
Select Search automatically for drivers if you want Windows to look for an available driver. Windows will search its available driver sources and determine whether it can find a suitable driver for the selected hardware.
If Windows finds a newer compatible driver, it will install it. If Windows tells you that the best drivers for your device are already installed, it means Device Manager did not find a newer driver through the search method you used.
That message does not necessarily mean the manufacturer’s website has no newer driver. Some hardware manufacturers publish drivers separately, so you may need to obtain the correct package directly from the manufacturer’s support resources if Windows cannot find one.
Step 5: Install a Driver You Already Downloaded
If you already have the correct driver package, return to the Update driver window and select Browse my computer for drivers. Use Browse to select the folder containing the driver files.
Some driver packages come as executable installers, while others contain files such as .INF files. Device Manager can use compatible driver files when you point it to the appropriate folder.
Make sure the driver is intended for your specific hardware model and Windows version. Installing an incompatible driver can cause problems, so avoid selecting random driver files simply because they have a similar name.
Step 6: Finish the Installation and Restart
Windows will display the installation result after it processes the driver. If the update succeeds, you may see a message confirming that Windows has successfully updated the driver.
Some driver changes take effect immediately, while others require a restart. If Windows asks you to restart, save your open work and restart the computer.
After restarting, check the hardware again. For example, if you were updating a network driver to resolve a connection problem, verify whether your Wi-Fi or Ethernet connection is now working normally.
Update Drivers through CMD in Windows
To update a driver through CMD:
- Download the correct driver package and extract it to a folder.
- Open Command Prompt as administrator.
- Use the PnPUtil command to add and install the appropriate .INF driver file.
- Use pnputil /add-driver “C:\DriverFolder\*.inf” /subdirs /install when the folder contains the required driver files.
- Review the command output to confirm whether Windows installed the driver successfully.
- Restart Windows if the driver or hardware requires it.
Step 1: Prepare the Correct Driver Package
The CMD method works best when you already have a suitable driver package. Download the driver intended for your exact hardware model and Windows edition from a trustworthy manufacturer source, then extract the package if necessary.
For example, you might create a folder such as C:\Drivers\Network and place the extracted driver files there. The package should contain the necessary .INF files that Windows can use for driver installation.
Do not simply copy an installer program into the folder and expect PnPUtil to install it. PnPUtil works with driver packages, particularly packages containing INF files.
Step 2: Open Command Prompt as Administrator
Press the Windows key, type Command Prompt, and select Run as administrator. If Windows displays a User Account Control prompt, select Yes.
Administrator access is important because installing or modifying device drivers can require elevated permissions. You should see a Command Prompt window with an elevated administrative session.
Step 3: Check the PnPUtil Commands
Windows includes PnPUtil, a command-line utility for managing Plug and Play driver packages. To see the available commands, type the following command and press Enter:
pnputil /?
This displays the available PnPUtil options. You can use this help screen if you need to check the syntax supported by your version of Windows.
Step 4: Add and Install the Driver
If your driver files are stored in C:\Drivers\Network, you can use:
pnputil /add-driver “C:\Drivers\Network\*.inf” /subdirs /install
Here, /add-driver tells Windows to add the driver package to the driver store. The *.inf portion tells PnPUtil to process INF files in that folder. The /subdirs option allows Windows to look through subfolders, while /install tells Windows to install the driver package on matching devices when applicable.
Replace the example folder path with the actual location of your driver files. If the path contains spaces, keep the quotation marks around it.
Step 5: Review the Command Output
After pressing Enter, PnPUtil will process the driver package and display information about what happened. Read the output carefully rather than assuming the installation succeeded.
Depending on the driver and hardware, Windows may report that the package was added, installed, already present, or not applicable to a matching device.
If the driver is not installed, check that you downloaded the correct driver for your hardware, that the INF files are present, and that the command points to the correct folder.
Step 6: Restart and Verify the Hardware
Once the driver installation is complete, restart your PC if necessary. After Windows starts again, open Device Manager and locate the hardware you updated.
Right-click the device, select Properties, and open the Driver tab. You can review information such as the driver provider, driver date, and driver version.
This is also a good opportunity to test the hardware. If you updated a graphics driver, check your display. If you updated an audio driver, test your speakers or headphones. For a network driver, verify your Internet connection.
Faqs
Can I update every Windows driver through Device Manager?
You can manage many hardware drivers through Device Manager, but Windows may not always find the newest driver available from the hardware manufacturer. For some devices, you may need to obtain the latest compatible package separately.
Is CMD better than Device Manager for updating drivers?
Neither method is automatically better. Device Manager is easier for most beginners because it provides a graphical interface. CMD with PnPUtil is useful when you have a specific driver package and want a command-line method for installing it.
What does PnPUtil do in Windows?
PnPUtil is a Windows command-line utility that can add, install, enumerate, and manage driver packages. It is particularly useful for working with INF-based drivers from Command Prompt.
Why does Device Manager say my best driver is already installed?
That message means Windows did not find a newer suitable driver through the search method it used. A newer driver might still be available from the hardware manufacturer’s support page.
Should I update drivers if my computer is working fine?
You do not necessarily need to update every driver simply because a newer version exists. Driver updates can provide bug fixes, compatibility improvements, performance changes, and hardware support, but unnecessary updates can also introduce unexpected issues. It is usually better to update when you have a specific reason, such as a hardware problem, compatibility requirement, or manufacturer-recommended update.
Can I use CMD to update a graphics driver?
Yes. If you have the correct INF-based graphics driver package, PnPUtil can be used to add and install it. However, graphics manufacturers may also provide dedicated installation packages that are designed to handle additional components and settings.
What should I do if a driver update causes a problem?
Open Device Manager, right-click the affected device, select Properties, and open the Driver tab. If Windows provides a Roll Back Driver option, you can use it to return to the previous driver when appropriate.