A software driver is a piece of code that allows an operating system to communicate with hardware devices. The operating system utilizes this code to connect with a particular piece of hardware and perform functions for the user that are relevant to the device being used.
Many different kinds of hardware can be connected to a computer each one of which requires a specific software driver to function correctly. This hardware can include external components, such as mice and keyboards and internal components like a CPU and data port.
The vast majority of drivers are directly downloaded from the manufacturers that designed and produced the hardware. These manufacturers offer software programs that search the web for updates for their device driver. The program will inform the user when an update is available or let the user manually download and install the most compatible version.
It is vital to remember that the most efficient and simplest method to determine if a device driver is outdated is to go to the website of the manufacturer. These companies are typically aware of their hardware and will offer plenty of advice and help on how to use their products. They also often include a small utility program alongside their hardware that can be used to instantly search for any updates or compatibility problems and automatically download and install any compatible new releases.