Device Manager is a built-in Windows utility that enables users to view, manage, and troubleshoot hardware devices and drivers on their computers. It provides detailed information about each device’s status, allows for driver updates and troubleshooting, and enables users to enable, disable, or uninstall devices as needed. Through Device Manager, you can Manage hardware devices and peripherals connected to a computer, like hard disk drives, keyboards, sound cards, USB devices, and more. Here is how to use Device Manager to Update, Reinstall, or Rollback drivers on Windows 11 or Windows 10.
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What does Device Manager do on Windows?
Device Manager plays a pivotal role in maintaining the functionality and performance of a computer system. It is crucial for several key reasons:
- Device Manager allows users to install, update, roll back, or uninstall device drivers. This ensures that hardware components communicate effectively with the operating system.
- When a hardware component malfunctions, the Device Manager provides vital information, such as error codes and status messages, aiding in the diagnosis and resolution of issues.
- It manages system resources like IRQs and memory addresses, preventing conflicts between devices and optimizing performance.
- Device Manager enables users to activate or deactivate specific hardware components. This is useful for troubleshooting and power management.
- In case an updated driver causes compatibility problems, Device Manager allows for easy Rollback to the previous version.
Update Drivers with Device Manager
Using Device Manager to update drivers is a straightforward process that ensures your hardware components work seamlessly with the operating system and resolve compatibility issues. This built-in Windows utility allows you to search for driver updates online and install them with just a few clicks.
Whether it’s a graphics card, network adapter, or any other device, Device Manager simplifies the driver update process.
To open Device Manager, press the Windows key + X on your keyboard, then select “Device Manager” from the menu that appears.
This will open Device Manager and display a comprehensive list of all the hardware components and peripheral devices connected to your computer. It provides detailed information about each device, including its status. Here you can update, uninstall/reinstall or roll back device drivers on your computer.
To update drivers in the device manager:
- In Device Manager, expand the category that corresponds to the device you want to update. For example, if you’re updating a graphics card, expand the “Display adapters” category.
- Right-click on the device you want to update, From the context menu, choose “Update driver.” This will initiate the driver update process.
- You’ll be prompted to choose how you want to search for the driver software. You have two options:
- Search automatically for updated driver software: This will allow Windows to search for the latest driver online.
- Browse my computer for driver software: If you have downloaded the driver manually, you can select this option and browse to its location on your computer.
If you select the first option, Windows will now search for and install the latest driver for the device. If a suitable driver is found, it will be automatically installed.
Choose the second option, “Browse my computer for driver software, to locate the driver that you have already downloaded the driver manually, likely from the manufacturer’s website or another trusted source.
- Also, you can Install the pre-build Driver by clicking on let me pick from a list of available drivers on my computer,
- When you select this option, a list of compatible drivers for the selected device will be displayed.
- You’ll see a list of available drivers, including their names and versions.
- You can now choose the driver you want to install from this list.
- Click “Next” to proceed with the installation.
Re-install Device Driver on device manager
In Device Manager, you have the option to both uninstall and reinstall device drivers. This is useful when troubleshooting hardware problems, resolving driver conflicts, or ensuring a fresh driver installation.
To Re-install Device Driver
- Press the Windows key + X on your keyboard and select “Device Manager” from the menu that appears.
- Expand the category that corresponds to the device you want to uninstall and reinstall. For example, if you’re working with a graphics card, expand the “Display adapters” category.
- Right-click on the device you want to uninstall, From the context menu, choose “Uninstall device.”
- A confirmation dialog will appear. Check the box that says “Delete the driver software for this device” if available. This ensures that the old driver files are removed completely.
- Click “Uninstall” to confirm the removal of the device and its driver. After the uninstallation is complete, restart your computer.
- Upon reboot, Windows will detect the device and automatically reinstall the default driver.
- If not click on Action and select Scan for hardware changes as shown below image.
Also, you can Visit the manufacturer’s website for the device (e.g., NVIDIA for graphics cards) and locate the latest driver for your specific hardware and operating system. After downloading the driver, run the installation file and follow the on-screen instructions.
Rollback Device driver on Device manager
Now let’s know about the Roll Back Driver option. This option is specifically designed to revert the current driver to its previous version, effectively undoing any potential compatibility or performance issues introduced by the recent update. I
Rollback driver option useful where a recently updated driver causes compatibility or performance issues.
To perform the Roll Back Driver option,
- Press the Windows key + X on your keyboard and select “Device Manager” from the menu that appears.
- Expand the category that corresponds to the device for which you want to perform a driver rollback. For instance, if it’s a graphics card, expand the “Display adapters” category.
- Right-click on the device and select “Properties” from the context menu, go to the “Driver” tab.
Here you will see more options:
Update Drivers: This initiates the Hardware Update Wizard, allowing you to search for and install the latest driver software for your device. It’s crucial for ensuring optimal performance and compatibility.
Roll Back Driver: Choosing this option uninstalls the most recently updated driver and reverts your system configuration to the earlier version. This can be necessary if you encounter issues after a driver update, helping to restore device functionality.
Disable (or Enable) Driver: This action allows you to deactivate a driver temporarily. The device associated with this driver will remain inactive until you choose to re-enable it, which can be useful for troubleshooting or specific usage scenarios.
Uninstall Driver: Opting for this action completely removes the driver’s files and registry settings associated with the selected hardware. It’s a comprehensive removal process and is often performed when replacing or troubleshooting a device.
- If the “Roll Back Driver” option is available (which it will be if a previous driver version exists), it will be clickable. Click on it to start the rollback process.
- You may be prompted to select a reason for rolling back the driver. This step is optional but can be helpful for documentation purposes.
- Confirm the rollback by following any additional prompts or dialog boxes that appear. After the rollback is complete, restart your computer to apply the changes.
Uninstall Device Drivers on Windows 10
Also If you wish to uninstall the driver, click on Uninstall.
- For example, open Device Manager, Right-click on the problematic Driver (Ex: Graphics Driver), And Select Uninstall.
- When the confirmation popup opens checkmark on Delete the Driver Software for this device and click uninstall.
- After that Restart Windows to completely Remove the problematic Driver.
Here are some frequently asked questions (FAQs) related to Device Manager:
What is Device Manager and what does it do?
- Device Manager is a built-in Windows utility that allows users to view, manage, and troubleshoot hardware devices and drivers on their computers.
How do I access Device Manager?
- You can open Device Manager by right-clicking on the “Start” button and selecting “Device Manager” from the context menu.
How can I update drivers using Device Manager?
- To update drivers, open Device Manager, right-click on the device, select “Update driver,” and follow the on-screen prompts.
What is the significance of rolling back a driver?
- Rolling back a driver is useful when a recently updated driver causes compatibility issues. It allows you to revert to the previous version to restore device functionality.
How do I disable a driver in Device Manager?
- To disable a driver, open Device Manager, right-click on the device, select “Disable device,” and confirm the action. This deactivates the driver until you choose to re-enable it.
How do I view hidden devices in Device Manager?
- In Device Manager, go to the “View” menu and select “Show hidden devices.” This will display devices that are not currently connected but have been installed on the system at some point.
Can I manually install a driver in Device Manager?
- Yes, you can manually install a driver by selecting the option “Browse my computer for driver software” when updating the driver in Device Manager.
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