What are Device Drivers?
Device drivers are, in the simplest terms, pieces of software code that tell the operating system how to use hardware correctly. Since every manufacturer’s hardware is different, each manufacturer must make device drivers for each piece of hardware in order for the various operating systems to use the it. Some device drivers are already included in Windows. That is why occasionally Windows will detect new hardware and set it up with the proper device drivers without the user doing much of anything. The same is true with a new Windows install. The hardware that Windows already has device drivers for is automatically setup during the install. However, not all device drivers are included in Windows. What do I do about devices that Windows didn’t have device drivers for? If Windows didn’t have the device drivers for a piece of hardware, it lists it in the device manager as ‘Other’ or places a yellow exclamation mark next to it to warn the user that there is a problem with that item. Ideall
Device drivers are simple software code that allows a higher level program on your computer such as an operating system to control a device. Today there are many peripherals for home computers and laptops such as printers, scanners, keyboards, etc. All of these devices require the operating system and sometimes other software programs that run on a computer access and control of a device. A device driver offers this access and ultimately makes the use of a device smooth and reliable.
Device drivers are small files that act like “liaisons” between hardware in a computer system and the operating system (OS). Hardware requires device drivers so that the OS can “see” the devices and handle them effectively and efficiently. Common components that require drivers include keyboards, mice, controllers, graphics cards, audio hardware, Ethernet hardware, wireless cards, ports, card readers, card slots and CD/DVD drives. Windows™ operating systems typically include many device drivers by default so that the OS can recognize many types of desktop hardware components instantly and implement functionality. Hardware that’s added later might require drivers be installed before it can be used. Device drivers for laptops are proprietary, installed by the manufacturer at the time of the build. Unlike a desktop computer, if the hard disk of a laptop gets wiped or reformatted, all basic drivers will need to be reacquired. This usually means visiting the manufacturer’s website and downl
Drivers are pieces of software that act as an interface between the operating system and the devices/hardware that makes up a PC. It enables the components to understand each other and work together. Drivers are usually specific to a particular device and to a particular operating system. Very often operating systems have built in drivers for many devices. This is especially true of devices like optical drives (CDs/DVDs/CDRWs). Most manufacturers are constantly updating the drivers for their products and very often you can improve the performance of a device or increase its functionality by downloading the latest driver for it. Your first bet for driver downloads is invariably the website of the manufacturer of that particular device. Some of the manufacturer sites and be a nightmare to navigate to it is useful that there are several sites that are geared solely to finding you the driver you are looking for. Please use the links above.
