When you need to install a driver from a disc

A driver disc is useful when your computer cannot connect to the internet, when the manufacturer's website is down, or when you have an older device that does not have online drivers available. The disc typically comes with printers, graphics cards, network adapters, or other hardware. Installing from a physical disc bypasses the need to download files and works the same way whether you are using Windows or Mac.

The process takes about five to ten minutes for most devices. You will need the disc itself, a computer with a disc drive, and administrator access to your system. If your computer does not have a built-in disc drive, you can use an external USB disc drive, which connects to any available USB port.

Key Takeaways

  • Insert the driver disc into your computer's disc drive and wait for it to appear on your desktop or in File Explorer.
  • Look for a file named "Setup.exe" or "Install.exe" on the disc and double-click it to start the installation wizard.
  • Follow the on-screen prompts, accept the license agreement, and choose the installation location — the default folder is usually correct.
  • Restart your computer when the installation finishes, even if the installer does not prompt you to do so.
  • If the disc does not auto-run, right-click the disc icon and select "Open" or "Explore" to find the installer file manually.

Insert the disc and locate the installer file

Place the driver disc into your disc drive. On Windows, the disc should appear as a new drive letter in File Explorer within a few seconds. On Mac, it will show up as an icon on your desktop. If nothing appears after 30 seconds, open File Explorer (Windows) or Finder (Mac) and look for the disc manually — it will be labeled with the device name or manufacturer.

Once you can see the disc contents, look for a file named "Setup.exe", "Install.exe", or sometimes just "Setup". On Mac, you may see an installer with a .pkg or .dmg extension instead. Do not open random files on the disc — the installer is usually the largest file or sits in the main folder. If you see a folder labeled "Drivers" or the manufacturer's name, open that folder first and look for the installer inside.

Run the installer and accept the license agreement

Double-click the installer file to start the setup wizard. Windows may ask you "Do you want to allow this app to make changes to your device?" — click "Yes" to proceed. The installer window will open and usually show a welcome screen with the device name and manufacturer logo.

Read through the license agreement if you want to, then click "I Agree", "Accept", or "Next" to move forward. Most installers will not let you proceed without accepting the terms. The next screen typically shows installation options — for most users, the default settings are correct, so you can click "Next" or "Install" without changing anything.

Choose installation location and complete the setup

The installer may ask where you want to save the driver files. The default location is usually a folder inside "Program Files" on Windows or "Applications" on Mac. Unless you have a specific reason to change it, leave the default path as is and click "Next" or "Continue".

The installer will now copy files to your computer. This step takes one to three minutes and shows a progress bar. Do not close the installer window or turn off your computer during this time. Once the progress bar reaches 100%, you will see a completion message saying "Installation Successful" or "Finish".

Restart your computer to activate the driver

After the installer finishes, it will usually ask if you want to restart your computer now or later. Click "Restart Now" or "Yes" to restart immediately. If the installer does not ask, restart your computer manually anyway — drivers often do not work until after a restart.

Your computer will shut down and turn back on. This takes two to five minutes. Once you are back at your desktop, the driver is installed and your device should be ready to use. You can check that the installation worked by looking in Device Manager (Windows) or System Report (Mac) to confirm the device no longer shows an error.

Troubleshooting if the disc does not auto-run

If double-clicking the disc does not open an installer window, the disc may not have auto-run enabled. Right-click the disc icon in File Explorer or Finder and select "Open" or "Explore". This shows you the files on the disc. Look for the Setup.exe or Install.exe file and double-click it directly.

If you still see no installer file, check inside any folders on the disc — sometimes manufacturers organize files into subfolders by device model or operating system. Look for a folder that matches your device type or your version of Windows or Mac. If the disc appears empty or corrupted, try cleaning the disc with a soft cloth and inserting it again. If it still does not work, the disc may be damaged, and you should contact the manufacturer for a replacement or ask if they offer online drivers instead.

What to do if your computer has no disc drive

If your computer does not have a built-in disc drive, you can buy an external USB disc drive for $20 to $40. These connect to any USB port and work with both Windows and Mac. Once connected, the disc will appear the same way as if it were in a built-in drive, and you follow the same installation steps.

Alternatively, if you have access to another computer with a disc drive, you can copy the entire disc contents to a USB flash drive or external hard drive, then transfer those files to your computer and run the installer from there. This works as long as the installer does not require the physical disc to be present during installation — most driver installers do not.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to uninstall the old driver before installing from the disc?

Not usually. The new installer will overwrite the old driver files. However, if you are having problems with a driver, uninstalling it first can help. Go to Device Manager (Windows) or System Report (Mac), find the device, right-click it, and select "Uninstall" or "Remove". Then insert the disc and install the new driver.

What if the installer asks for a product key or serial number?

Check the back of the disc case or the documentation that came with your device — the serial number or product key is usually printed there. If you cannot find it, contact the manufacturer's support team with your device model number and they can provide it.

Can I remove the disc after installation starts?

No. Leave the disc in the drive until the installer finishes completely and tells you it is safe to remove it. Some installers need to read files from the disc multiple times during installation. Removing it early will cause the installation to fail.

Why does my device still not work after restarting?

Check Device Manager (Windows) or System Report (Mac) to see if the device shows an error symbol. If it does, the driver may not have installed correctly. Try running the installer again, or contact the manufacturer with your device model number — they may have a newer driver available online.

Is it safe to delete the installer file after installation?

Yes. Once the installation is complete and your computer has restarted, you can delete the installer file or remove the disc. The driver files are already copied to your system and do not need the installer anymore.