Driver Basics

Drivers are files that an operating system uses to recognize and communicate with an external device such as a printer or mouse, or an internal component such as a video card or sound card.

Driver Behavior

When you attach a printer or mouse, Windows will take a few seconds to attempt to recognize it with its own drivers. If it does not, it may check the Internet for and then prompt you to supply the required drivers.

Driver Availability

Drivers usually come on a CD packaged with a device. You can also usually find them at the manufacturer's website. The drivers available on the Internet are usually more up-to-date than the packaged drivers.

Driver Maintenance

Drivers need to be kept up-to-date; sometimes an older driver does not allow the full functionality of the device, or it causes errors with the device, or there are security issues. Windows Update will usually do this for you, and you can set Windows to check the update service periodically and automatically.

Driver Fallbacks

Sometimes Windows can load a "generic" driver, particularly with video cards, if it cannot obtain the vendor-specific one. These are usually only meant to be used temporarily until you install the proper driver.

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Driver Definition

Finding and Installing Drivers