Where to find your installed drivers

Windows stores information about your installed drivers in the Device Manager, a built-in tool you can open in seconds. Press the Windows key and type "Device Manager" into the search box, then click the result. You will see a list of hardware categories — graphics cards, network adapters, sound devices, and others — each with a small arrow you can click to expand and see the specific drivers installed.

Device Manager shows you what is currently running on your system, but it does not show you the version numbers or installation dates by default. To see those details, right-click any device and select "Properties". A window will open with tabs at the top; click "Driver" to see the driver version, the date it was installed, and the driver provider — usually the hardware manufacturer like NVIDIA, Intel, or Realtek.

If you want a quicker overview without opening Device Manager, you can also check drivers through Settings. Go to Settings > System > About and scroll down to "Device specifications" to see your graphics card and processor, though this route shows less detail than Device Manager.

Key Takeaways

  • Open Device Manager by pressing Windows key + typing "Device Manager" to see all installed hardware and drivers organized by category.
  • Right-click any device and select Properties, then click the Driver tab to see the version number, installation date, and manufacturer of that specific driver.
  • Windows Update handles driver updates automatically for most devices, but you can also check for updates manually through Device Manager by right-clicking a device and selecting "Update driver".
  • Third-party tools like GPU-Z (for graphics cards) and CPU-Z (for processors) show driver and hardware details in a single window without navigating menus.

Checking driver versions and dates

The Driver tab in Device Manager shows three pieces of information that matter most: the driver version, the date it was installed, and who made it. The version number tells you whether you are running an old or recent driver — manufacturers release new versions regularly to fix bugs or improve performance. If you see a date from several years ago, that driver has not been updated in a while, though that does not always mean you need to update it.

To compare your driver version against the latest available, visit the manufacturer's website directly. For NVIDIA graphics cards, go to nvidia.com/Download/driverDetails.aspx. For AMD, visit amd.com/en/support. For Intel, check intel.com/content/www/us/en/support/detect.html. Type in your hardware model and operating system, and the site will show you the newest version available. If your installed version matches or is newer, you are current.

Using Windows Update to check for driver updates

Windows Update can find and install driver updates automatically, and you can also trigger a manual check. Open Device Manager, right-click the device you want to check, and select "Update driver". Windows will search online for a newer version. If one exists, it will download and install it; if your driver is already the newest, Windows will tell you so.

Some drivers update through Windows Update itself rather than Device Manager. Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and click "Check for updates". Windows will scan for system updates, driver updates, and firmware updates all at once. This is the safest route for most users because Windows tests these drivers before offering them.

Be aware that Windows Update sometimes lags behind the manufacturer's own website by weeks or months. If you need the absolute newest driver — for example, to fix a specific bug or gain support for a new game — downloading directly from the manufacturer is usually faster.

Understanding what each driver does

The devices listed in Device Manager fall into a few main categories. Display adapters are your graphics card or integrated graphics — NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel. Network adapters handle your internet connection, whether Ethernet or Wi-Fi. Sound, video and game controllers cover your audio card and any gaming peripherals. Universal Serial Bus controllers manage USB ports and connected devices.

Most of these drivers are installed automatically when you first set up Windows or plug in a device. You rarely need to think about them unless something stops working or you want the latest performance improvements. Graphics drivers are the exception — gamers and video editors often update these manually because new versions can improve frame rates or add features.

What to do if a driver is missing or broken

If Device Manager shows a device with a yellow exclamation mark or a red X, the driver is either missing or corrupted. Right-click the device and select "Update driver" to let Windows search for a fix. If that does not work, right-click again and select "Uninstall device", then restart your computer. Windows will usually reinstall the driver automatically on startup.

If automatic reinstallation does not work, visit the manufacturer's website and download the driver manually. Save it to your computer, then right-click the broken device in Device Manager, select "Update driver", and choose "Browse my computer for driver software". Navigate to the folder where you saved the driver and let Windows install it.

For network adapters specifically, if the driver is broken and you have no internet connection, you will need to download the driver on another computer, transfer it via USB drive, and install it on the broken machine.

Using third-party tools for a quicker overview

GPU-Z is a free tool that shows your graphics card driver version, memory, temperature, and clock speed all in one window. Download it from techpowerup.com/gpuz — no installation required, just run the .exe file. It is faster than opening Device Manager if you only care about your graphics driver.

CPU-Z, also from TechPowerUp, does the same for your processor and chipset. HWiNFO is a more detailed option that shows drivers, temperatures, and hardware specs for everything in your system. These tools are read-only — they show information but do not change anything — so they are safe to use.

Windows built-in tools are usually sufficient for checking drivers. Third-party tools are useful if you want everything on one screen or if you are troubleshooting a specific component.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if my drivers are up to date?

Check the driver version in Device Manager (right-click the device, select Properties, click Driver tab), then visit the manufacturer's website and compare. For graphics cards, visit nvidia.com, amd.com, or intel.com. If your version number matches or is higher than what the manufacturer lists, you are current.

Should I update my drivers regularly?

Graphics drivers benefit from regular updates, especially if you game or edit video. For other devices like network adapters or sound cards, updates are less critical unless you are experiencing a problem. Windows Update handles most driver updates automatically, so you do not need to check manually unless you want the very latest version.

What if Device Manager shows a device I do not recognize?

Right-click it and select Properties to see the manufacturer name and model number. Search that information online to learn what it is. Most unknown devices are chipset drivers or system management controllers that Windows needs to run properly — you do not need to remove them.

Can I safely uninstall a driver?

Uninstalling a driver will disable that hardware until you reinstall it. Windows will usually reinstall it automatically on restart. Only uninstall a driver if you are troubleshooting a problem or replacing the hardware with a newer model.

Why does Windows Update offer a different driver version than the manufacturer?

Microsoft tests drivers before releasing them through Windows Update, which takes time. The manufacturer's website usually has newer versions available first. If you need the latest driver for a specific fix or feature, download it directly from the manufacturer instead of waiting for Windows Update.