Windows Driver Update Software

johninmelb on 20/08/2024 - 12:00
Last edited 20/08/2024 - 15:12

What is the preferred software for updating windows drivers?

I note there are quite a lot of software programs that claim to update your drivers. I'm just a bit apprehensive about picking one to try.

Norton keeps nagging me about outdated drivers, but I am about done with them, and not paying any more money for add ons. Norton just drives me crazy with pop ups etc, and will be ditched as soon as the current sub expires. So I am also in the market for a better anti virus program.

Updated post 20/8/24

Sorry, I may not have been as clear as I should have.

Not meaning windows drivers, as in the actual operating systerm, as I know Windows Updates will fix those issues.

What I was referring to was any other software written to run on a windows computer. I do get automatic reminders from Brother for my printer, but Norton used to give me a list of other software like Intel drivers. Doesn't give me the list now.

Will definitely ditch Norton as I am over it.

Computing Software

Comments

  • JustinFR on 20/08/2024 - 12:06
    +8

    Windows updates primarily (make sure to check optional\additional updates tab for device drivers) and board manufacturer website for chipset drivers. Please avoid any driver updater software.

  • CrispyChrispy on 20/08/2024 - 12:09
    +2

    So I am also in the market for a better anti virus program.

    Microsoft Defender, Malwarebytes

  • jugsy on 20/08/2024 - 12:18
    +8

    Uninstall Norton, use built in Defender.
    Do NOT install any driver manager/computer cleaner programs
    Windows Update will be fine, go to manufacturer if you need any latest versions or older versions

    • GordonD on 20/08/2024 - 13:01
      +2

      Agreed. Absolutely do not use any third party driver updater product. It is just asking for all sorts of trouble.

  • pjetson on 20/08/2024 - 12:26

    Do you have a major brand name computer? I know that HP and Lenovo (and probably others) both have software that updates the drivers on their computers. It tries to run all the time, but you don't need to let it.

  • AngoraFish on 20/08/2024 - 12:27
    +4

    Just use the free built-in Microsoft Defender and stop getting scammed.

    Uninstall Norton now, do not wait until your subscription expires. At best it's adware, at worst it's a malicious trojan that will fight tooth and nail to prevent you from deleting it. It is designed to lie through it's electronic teeth to scare you into keeping paying money to the company forever.

    Also, any driver that actually needs to be updated will either be downloaded automatically by Windows, will install the updates automatically on its own, or will prompt you with a link about where to download. Unless there is a particular problem you are trying to fix it should not be necessary to update any drivers at all, and sometimes this can just cause more problems by introducing issues such as driver conflicts that you weren't having before.

  • EightImmortals on 20/08/2024 - 13:22
    +1

    Either Windows defender or Kasperky, usually around $20 from saveonit.

  • pharkurnell on 20/08/2024 - 13:40

    Norton keeps nagging me about outdated drivers

    So update the drivers and live happily ever after

    • ReaperX22 on 20/08/2024 - 13:45
      +4

      Uninstall Norton to remove the real problem

      • Darron65 on 21/08/2024 - 13:00

        Agreed, McAfee is so much better. J/K they're both bad for basically the same reasons.

  • jv on 20/08/2024 - 14:16
    +1

    What is the preferred software for updating windows drivers?

    Windows

  • overthinking on 20/08/2024 - 14:32

    press windows key
    type "check for updates"
    press enter
    click "check for updates"
    ????
    profit

    in terms of anti-virus, uninstall Norton asap and get Kaspersky, Bitdefender, ESET or Malwarebytes (use windows defender if cheap-skating) … do some research

    GL

    • pharkurnell on 20/08/2024 - 17:11
      +1

      Been using BitDefender for few years… Happy with it.

      YMMV.

  • Sal in SA on 20/08/2024 - 14:49

    Why do you want a 3rd party driver update program ?

  • Roman Sandstorm on 20/08/2024 - 15:33

    Mostly good advice here, OP.

    Unless you are a hard-core gamer, wanting to extract the very last FPS out of your video card, then Windows Update will suffice for all drivers. (If you do want that last frame, then go to AMD or NVidia's site and get the latest driver package for your card.)

    As for anti-virus/malware… Most independent testing over the last two years indicates that the built-in, free Windows Defender detects pretty much the same as the top commercial anti-virus programs. Most of the paid-for programs also contain massive bloatware, with things like your Norton are annoying you with, as well as VPNs, browser blockers, password managers, etc, etc. (Perhaps, if you

    If you really really don't want to use Defender (I dunno, because maybe you think Bill Gates is the Anti-Christ and fills vaccines with 5G mind-control nanobots, or something), then Bitdefender and Avast have specific free versions. Not trial ones, but actually free, which use the same detection engines, and the same constantly-updated definitions as their paid-for siblings. But they are hard to find. You have to make an effort and find the free version. Not the 'free to download' version. Not the 'free trial' version. (Oh, and depending on which way you go, even the free versions will nag you every day, or every few days begging you to upgrade.

    • johninmelb on 20/08/2024 - 16:40
      +1

      Not in the least anti Bill Gates, have been a Microsoft afficianado since the start of DOS and learning to use one of the first IBM PCs at work along with Lotus 1-2-3. Only strayed to the dark side once - for 8 months when I was working for a neurosurgeon as Practice Manager where I was forced to use a Mac. Fortunately I only had to use Word to type letters, so I only had to learn to turn it on, find Word and that was it. Never touched another Apple thing since.

      I am quite happy to use Windows Defender. I have been reading that it is much better these days, and thus a vialble alternative.

      • Roman Sandstorm on 21/08/2024 - 17:47

        You seem sensible, John.

        I wasn't actually suggesting that you were an anti-MS conspiracy theorist. Rather, I was making fun of those types…

        Oddly, this thread seems to have mostly sound advice. What's going on? This is OzBargain.

  • moar bargains on 21/08/2024 - 14:19

    Forget about Norton. Additional driver updates (including for things like Intel or BIOS) will come through Windows Update. And you can get free AV that is just as good, if not better (though you may have to put up with some advertisements for their paid products). I personally use Bitdefender, but MalwareBytes or Panda AV are also good. AVG, Avast and Avira all got a bit annoying trying to upsell me. Windows Defender + some common sense is also a perfectly valid solution these days.

    For other software (think Office, browser, games, media players, whatever you have on your PC) I personally use UniGet UI. You may need to install WinGet (or it may already be on your computer, depending on what you have). WinGet is an open-source command line tool made by Microsoft, but it works really well for home PC use. Makes finding, installing and updating software easier. UniGet UI means you don't need to deal with the command line, but it doesn't actually add any features. This setup also makes it pretty easy to export a list of installed software and install them on a new/different PC to get a similar state.

    Alternatively, you could look at Patch My PC but in my experience there were things missing from it. Probably covers 80-90% of things, but YMMV.

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