What happens when you install a driver
When you install a device driver, you are giving your operating system the instructions it needs to talk to a piece of hardware — a printer, graphics card, network adapter, or external hard drive. The driver translates what your software wants to do into commands that the hardware understands, and translates what the hardware reports back into information your operating system can use.
Most of the time, Windows and macOS install drivers automatically when you plug in a device. But sometimes you need to install a driver manually: the automatic version is outdated, the device is new and the operating system does not recognize it yet, or the manufacturer has released a driver that fixes a problem you are experiencing.
The process differs between Windows and Mac, and the steps depend on whether you are installing from a disc, a downloaded file, or the manufacturer's website.
Key Takeaways
- Windows usually installs drivers automatically, but you can manually install one by right-clicking the device in Device Manager, selecting "Update driver", and pointing Windows to the driver file or the manufacturer's website.
- On a Mac, most drivers install automatically; if you need to install one manually, read it from the manufacturer's website and run the installer package, which will guide you through the process.
- Before installing any driver, check the manufacturer's website to confirm the version matches your operating system and your device model.
- If a driver installation causes problems, you can roll back to the previous version in Windows Device Manager or uninstall and reinstall on a Mac.
- Keeping drivers current can improve performance and fix bugs, but you do not need to update every driver as soon as a new version appears.
Installing a driver on Windows
The most common way to install a driver on Windows is through Device Manager, which is built into Windows and shows every piece of hardware connected to your computer. To open Device Manager, right-click the Start button and select "Device Manager" from the menu, or type "Device Manager" into the search box and press Enter.
Find the device you want to update in the list. If Windows does not recognize the device, it may appear under "Other devices" with a yellow warning icon. Right-click the device and select "Update driver". Windows will ask whether you want to search automatically for updated driver software or browse your computer for driver software. If you have a driver file on your computer (usually a .exe or .inf file), choose "Browse my computer" and navigate to the folder where you saved it. If you want Windows to search the manufacturer's website, choose "Search automatically" — Windows will connect to the internet and look for the latest version.
After you select the driver file or allow Windows to search, the installation will begin. You may see a security prompt asking you to confirm that you trust the driver; click "Install" or "Yes" to proceed. The process usually takes a few minutes. When it finishes, Windows will tell you whether the installation was successful. If it was, you may need to restart your computer for the driver to take effect.
Installing a driver on Mac
macOS handles drivers differently than Windows. Most drivers on a Mac are built into the operating system, and Apple releases updates to them through the regular macOS updates. If you need to install a driver manually, it is usually because a manufacturer has released a newer version than what came with your Mac.
read the driver from the manufacturer's website. Make sure you read the version for your Mac — check whether your Mac uses an Intel processor or an Apple Silicon processor (M1, M2, M3, or later), because some drivers are specific to one or the other. Once the read is complete, open the installer package (usually a .pkg or .dmg file). The installer will walk you through the process, asking you to agree to the terms and enter your password. Follow the prompts and allow the installation to complete. You will usually need to restart your Mac for the driver to take effect.
Finding the right driver for your device
The safest place to find a driver is the manufacturer's website. Search for your device model and look for a "Drivers" or "Support" section. read the driver that matches both your operating system (Windows 10, Windows 11, macOS Ventura, etc.) and your device model. If you have an older device, the manufacturer may no longer host the driver on their website; in that case, a web search for the device model and "driver read" will usually turn up the file on a third-party site, but be cautious about downloading from sites you do not recognize.
If you have the original disc that came with the device, you can install the driver from that disc. On Windows, insert the disc and the installer should start automatically; if it does not, open File Explorer, find the disc drive, and double-click the setup file. On a Mac, insert the disc, find it on the desktop, and double-click the installer package.
What to do if a driver causes problems
Occasionally, a new driver will cause your device to stop working, or will make your computer unstable. On Windows, you can roll back to the previous driver version. Open Device Manager, right-click the device, select "Properties", go to the "Driver" tab, and click "Roll Back Driver". Windows will uninstall the new driver and reinstall the version you had before. This option is only available if you have installed a driver update; it will not appear if you are installing a driver for the first time.
On a Mac, uninstall the driver by finding the installer package you used and looking for an uninstall option, or by dragging the driver's folder to the Trash (you may need to search the manufacturer's website for instructions specific to that driver). Then restart your Mac and reinstall the previous version of the driver, or let macOS use its built-in version.
When to update drivers and when to wait
You do not need to update every driver the moment a new version appears. Drivers that are working well can stay as they are. Update a driver if the manufacturer says the new version fixes a bug that affects you, if you are experiencing problems with the device, or if you are upgrading your operating system. Graphics card drivers are an exception — gamers and people who do graphics-heavy work often update those more frequently because manufacturers release performance improvements.
Check for driver updates every few months if you want to stay current, but there is no harm in waiting longer if your devices are working. Some people set a calendar reminder to check once or twice a year. On Windows, you can also enable automatic driver updates in Settings: go to Settings > System > About, scroll down, and click "Advanced system settings", then go to the "Hardware" tab and click "Device Installation Settings". On a Mac, driver updates come through the regular macOS updates, which you can set to install automatically in System Settings > General > Software Update.
Troubleshooting a driver that will not install
If a driver installation fails or gets stuck, the first step is to restart your computer and try again. Many installation problems resolve themselves after a restart. If the problem persists, make sure you downloaded the correct version of the driver for your operating system and device model — a driver for Windows 10 will not work on Windows 11, and a driver for an Intel Mac will not work on an Apple Silicon Mac.
On Windows, check Device Manager to see whether the device is showing an error code. Right-click the device and select "Properties" to see the error message; a web search for that error code and the device model will usually point you toward a solution. On a Mac, check the installer log by opening Console (in Applications > Utilities) and searching for the driver name to see what went wrong. If you cannot solve the problem, contact the manufacturer's support team with the error message and your device details, and they can walk you through the next steps.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to uninstall the old driver before installing a new one?
On Windows, you usually do not need to uninstall the old driver first — the new installation will replace it. On a Mac, the installer package will handle the replacement automatically. If you want to be thorough, you can uninstall the old driver first, but it is not required.
What if Windows says "Windows cannot verify the publisher of this driver"?
This message appears when the driver is not signed by Microsoft. It does not mean the driver is unsafe — it just means the manufacturer did not pay to have Microsoft verify it. If you downloaded the driver from the manufacturer's official website, it is safe to click "Install this driver software anyway" and proceed.
Can I install a driver from a different manufacturer if it is for the same type of device?
No. Drivers are specific to the exact device model. A driver for one printer will not work for a different printer, even if they are the same brand. Always use the driver made for your specific device.
Why does my computer ask me to restart after installing a driver?
Some drivers need to load when the operating system starts up, so they require a restart to take effect. If you are asked to restart, do so as soon as you can — the driver will not work properly until you do.
Is it safe to read drivers from third-party websites?
The safest source is always the manufacturer's official website. If the manufacturer no longer hosts the driver, a third-party site may be your only option, but check the site's reputation first and make sure the read link matches the device model and operating system you need.