To maintain the normal operation of the computer, it is necessary to update drivers from time to time, but searching for and installing them manually is boring and time consuming. And why? After all, this work is easy to automate. Today we will consider the ten best programs for updating drivers on PCs and laptops of all brands and models.
Intel Driver Update Utility Installer is a proprietary utility for finding and updating drivers for any Intel products (processors, system logic, network devices, drives, server components, and more). Compatible with Windows XP, 7 and newer editions of this system.
The hardware of the PC on which it is installed is automatically recognized by the utility. Checking for new versions of drivers on the Intel website is done by clicking the "Search" button, downloading and installing - at the request of the user.
In addition, the Intel Driver Update Utility Installer allows you to find and download drivers for any other Intel devices of your choice from the list (option "Search manually").
The developers warn that the application installs only typical drivers that do not take into account the features of a particular brand of computer. Therefore, before launching it, it is worth visiting the website of the manufacturer of your PC or laptop and checking if there is anything suitable there.
AMD Driver Autodetect
AMD Driver Autodetect is a similar proprietary tool from AMD. Designed to keep drivers of video cards of this brand up to date (except for AMD FirePro).
After installation, the utility will monitor the relevance of video drivers and ensure their timely updates. It automatically detects the model of the video card installed on the PC, as well as the bit depth and version of the operating system. When launched, it checks to see if there is a fresh driver on the AMD website. If there is, it informs about it and offers to download it. To start the installation, the user just needs to confirm his consent by clicking on the "Install" button.
AMD Driver Autodetect is also available exclusively for Windows.
NVIDIA Update
NVIDIA Update is a proprietary Windows utility for installing drivers on NVIDIA devices. Like AMD Driver Autodetect, it independently recognizes hardware models and checks for the latest driver on the manufacturer's website. The decision to install is up to the user.
Driver Pack Solution
DriverPack Solution is a lifesaver for service engineers, system administrators and those who earn extra money by providing services for installing Windows and programs. The application is a huge collection of drivers for devices of various brands and models, as well as a module for installing them.
DriverPack Solution is released in two versions - online and offline.
- The online distribution is designed to be used on a PC that has an Internet connection. Its difference is a small file size (285 Kb). After starting, the program scans Windows for installed drivers and the relevance of their versions, after which it connects to the database (on its own server) and performs automatic updates.
- The offline distribution (size 10.2 Gb) is intended for installing drivers on a machine that is not connected to the Internet. In addition to the installer, it comes with a database of 960,000 drivers for Windows 7, XP, Vista, 8 (8.1) and 10, both for 32 bit and 64 bit. After launch, the scanning module recognizes device types and installs drivers from its own offline database.
The online version of DriverPack Solution is convenient for permanent home use. In addition to keeping drivers up to date, it allows the user to automatically install and update individual applications, remove software junk, view a list of equipment, information about the operating system and computer security.
The offline version is an emergency solution. Its task is not to select the best, but simply the right driver to start the device. And then update it online.
DriverPack Solution and the proprietary utilities listed above are completely free.
Driver Genius
Driver Genius is a universal driver management tool. The latest edition of the program is the sixteenth, optimized for Windows 8 and 10, but can also run on older systems.
In addition to updating the versions of installed drivers, Driver Genius can:
- Create backup copies of drivers and save them as archives - regular and self-extracting, as well as in the form of an installer (exe). To restore from a backup, you do not need to use Driver Genius.
- Remove unused and failed drivers.
- Display information about computer hardware.
The backup feature is a real treasure for those who frequently reinstall Windows. However, the program itself is by no means a gift: the cost of one license is $29.95. You can use it for free only for 30 days.
Snappy Driver Installer
Snappy Driver Installer is an application created by one of the developers of DriverPack Solution and has a lot in common with the latter. Also available in two versions: SDI Lite and SDI Full.
- The SDI Lite variant is a module for recognizing devices and searching for suitable drivers on the Internet. Its size is 3.6 Mb. It does not have its own base.
- The SDI Full option is an installation module plus a base (31.6 Gb). Designed to install drivers regardless of Internet access.
Features of Snappy Driver Installer:
- Works without installation (only portable version, can be run from a flash drive or DVD).
- Completely free - no premium features or ads.
- With an improved selection algorithm, which is based on the principle of "do no harm".
- It has a high scanning speed.
- Creates a system restore point before installing the driver.
- Allows you to change themes according to the user's choice.
- Multilingual (there is a version in Russian, Ukrainian and other national languages).
- Adapted for Windows 10.
driver booster
iObit Driver Booster is an application loved by gamers. Available in editions Free - free, and Pro - paid. The subscription price for the latter is 590 rubles per year.
Driver Booster has one single function - scanning the system for outdated drivers and installing updates in one click. And not simple updates, but (according to the developers) tuned games to improve performance.
is a free and very simple utility for installing and updating PC drivers based on Windows 7, 8 and 10. Its database includes only original, signed drivers from the official websites of equipment manufacturers.
The application is designed for users with no experience. Support for the Russian language, a minimum of settings and one-button control practically exclude the possibility of confusing or breaking something. And if the new driver is not suitable, DriverHub will remove it from the system and return the old one to its place.
All features of DriverHub:
- Search for missing, update outdated drivers and additional software. Automatic installation.
- Simple and expert mode of operation. In expert mode, the user can select a driver from several available ones, in simple mode, the program itself selects the optimal version.
- Daily replenishment of the database of drivers.
- Storage of download history.
- Recovery - roll back drivers to previous versions.
- Display basic information about the computer.
- Launching Windows system utilities from its interface.
DriverMax Free
DriverMax is a free, uncomplicated, English-language utility, the main purpose of which is the same driver update. Unlike other free applications, it has another useful option - creating a system rollback point and backing up installed drivers of the user's choice. As well as restoring from a backup.
After installing DriverMax, it persistently reminds you that it would be nice to register on the site and buy a paid license with advanced features, one of which is fully automatic operation. Annual usage starts at $10.39.
Driver Magician
Driver Magician is the last hero of today's review. I had 2 versions in the recent past, one of which was free. Today there is only a paid one with a 13-day trial period. The cost of the license is $29.95.
There is no Russian language in Driver Magician, but it is not difficult to use it. The set of features is about the same as in Driver Genius:
- Scanning and updating.
- Creating backup copies of drivers with the ability to restore both with and without using the program (the backup is saved as a zip archive or installer application).
- Uninstalling the driver.
- Backing up and restoring individual user folders - Internet Explorer Favorites, Desktop and Documents, as well as the system registry (one file).
- Identification of devices unknown to the system.
In the trial period, the program is fully functional. Compatible with any version of Windows.
That, perhaps, is all. Choose what you like best and enjoy.
Browsers are utilities with which it is necessary to do some work from time to time. For example, clear their cache, configure and update. Old versions of some Internet browsers have a lot of bugs, they no longer work stably and are no longer supported by manufacturers. Today we will try to update "Internet Explorer" to version 11. At the moment, this is the latest build of the corresponding software. How to cope with the task? What needs to be done for this?
Update methods
First, it's important to understand how browsers are updated in general. There are various options for the development of events.
For example, you can update Internet Explorer:
- manually;
- automatically;
- through browser settings;
- by working with the Windows Update Wizard.
All of these methods work equally well. Let's consider them in more detail.
DIY
How to update "Internet Explorer" to version 11? You can do it manually. To accomplish the task, the user must:
- Go to the Internet Explorer website and download the latest software.
- Find the "Uninstall programs" service on your computer and go into it.
- Find "Internet Explorer" and right-click on the corresponding line.
- Select the "Delete" option.
- Launch the "Installation Wizard".
- Follow the instructions on the screen.
That's all. Steps 2-4 can be skipped. Sometimes Internet Explorer does not appear in the list of installed applications.
Automatic update
Sometimes users wait too long to update the software. Then it can be reinstalled on its own, especially if the user has the "Auto-update" option enabled in the browser settings.
Simply connect to the web and then launch your browser. The update will start automatically. As soon as it is completed, a page with a new version of the Internet browser will open.
Settings to help
You can also update "Internet Explorer" to version 11 through the browser settings. How to do it?
The update instruction looks like this:
- Connect to the Internet and go to the Internet browser.
- Open the browser's main menu. Often it is activated by clicking on the button with a wrench or a gear located to the right of the address bar.
- Select the line "About".
- Click on the button "It's time to update ...".
- Wait for the browser to finish downloading.
- Launch the "Installation Wizard" and follow the instructions on the screen.
But that's not all. You can solve the problem in a non-standard way.
Windows updates
It's about using the Windows Update service. The guide looks like this:
- Go to the above application. For example, through the system tray.
- Start scanning the operating system. This will require a network connection.
- Check the box next to Internet Explorer.
- Click on "Download and Install".
All that remains for the user is to wait for the procedure to complete. Upgrade "Internet Explorer" to version 11 can even a schoolboy!
Updates make changes to the health of Windows 7, fix various bugs and crashes, and add new features. Microsoft is still releasing security patches and troubleshooting the system.
Update centre
The Windows 7 Update Center is responsible for downloading the latest patches of the "seven". The icon to open it can be found in the list of programs start or in Control panels. There you can install the latest versions of system components.
Setting
In the Update Center, open the menu " Settings». 
Initially, the system works in auto-update mode. But this function can be disabled, in which case it will be necessary to use the manual function. To do this, activate the search for the latest versions. 
A dialog box will display a list of components for which any changes have been made. They are divided into three groups. 
There are three groups of updates:
- Important. The group includes significant or breaking system changes related to data security and the functioning of various Windows components. Any innovation from the "Important" group should be installed immediately when it is released. This will keep your computer and its data in the best possible condition.
- Featured. This includes fixing non-critical PC problems, but still very significant ones. Their installation will make the operation of the PC more comfortable, eliminate existing problems or avoid their occurrence in the future. Both auto-update and manual download are available.
- Optional. This group includes those innovations that do not make significant changes to the functioning of the computer and do not fix serious problems. They are intended to make the system more user-friendly, but do not carry the status of important or critical. They cannot be installed automatically, downloading is available only in manual mode.
Read about ways to disable auto-update of the system in ours.
An important nuance: anyone can upgrade Windows 7 for free. No charge is required to download any of the system components from the list. But you should understand that the procedure consumes Internet traffic. This fact must be taken into account for users with a limited connection.
Selecting components to install
The user has a choice of components to install. For example, if you have a third-party antivirus installed, there is no need to download the latest version of Windows Defender. 
In the same way, you can disable the installation of other components. But if you are not sure of their significance or do not know the function, it is better to leave everything as it is.
In any case, it is highly recommended to download updates from the first group, from the second - too, but from the third - if desired.
Recommendation: if automatic mode is disabled on the computer, it is advisable to update the system yourself. This will keep you up to date with the latest version of Windows 7, which includes new features as well as fixes for old issues.
Possible problems and solutions
Various problems may occur while trying or during the process of updating Windows 7. Consider the most popular of them.
Issue 1: Auto-update not working
Initially, the system is configured in such a way that it automatically downloads all new versions and installs them when the computer is restarted. But in some situations, this feature is disabled or does not work.
In the first case, you need to enable auto-update. This is done through a special service:
In the second case, you need to update the OS manually.
Issue 2: Can't update the system manually
When installing new versions of Windows 7, various failures can occur. The first thing to do is to check your network connection. The installation files are downloaded from Microsoft servers and cannot be downloaded if there is no Internet connection.
When trying to update the operating system, it is worth disabling any antivirus programs and computer protection tools. It is advisable to close all unnecessary programs.
If you want to download a specific component of Windows, but this cannot be done, then you can download the installation package from the developer's servers yourself.
Microsoft Download Center official page - https://www.microsoft.com/ru-ru/download/default.aspx
At the top of the page is the search area. Enter the name of the required component in it and click on the icon in the form of a magnifying glass. 
Issue 3: System crashed
If, as a result of the update, the computer began to work worse or any problems arose, then it is worth rolling back Windows to its previous state. The corresponding function is located in the control panel. Read more about this in our article "Windows 7 System Restore".
Periodically, each device running the Android OS needs to update the current version of the operating system. Of course, even without this, the gadget will remain in working condition, but nevertheless, some problems may arise with the old version. Therefore, today we will talk about how to update Android.
Often, when launching a new model for sale, some software problems remain out of sight of the manufacturing company. A conscientious developer always tries to eliminate the shortcomings of previously released versions identified in the process of using the gadget, and in addition, add new features that are more user-friendly.
There are also third-party developers who do not work for one or another company that produces mobile devices, but release their own, unofficial software (custom firmware) for many models of devices, which can be even better quality than Android versions directly from the manufacturer.
In addition, devices from little-known manufacturers (usually Chinese) purchased outside the Russian Federation and not having normal localization also need a firmware update.
How to update the version (firmware) of Android
Standard procedure
Official updates from the manufacturer are released quite regularly. As a rule, this applies to popular models of gadgets or devices manufactured by well-known companies.
Such updates are absolutely free, do not require special knowledge from the user, and usually occur automatically. An Internet connection is required to check the firmware and update it.
Go to the main settings, in the section " System", at the very bottom we find the item" About phone" (may be " About device"), then open the position" System update" (may be " Update ON", on some models you will need to press the " Check now«):
The display will show “ System check“, after which a message will appear about the availability of the latest version or about its use, which means the system has been updated automatically. If this does not happen, then before flashing to a new version of Android, we will find out information about the firmware installed on a particular device. To do this, we return to the "About phone" section and at the very bottom we find the necessary information:
Knowing the current firmware version is necessary to obtain information about the availability of more recent software versions for a specific smartphone / tablet model and the possibility of installing them.
Note: if you are using a gadget whose software does not support the Russian language, then you need to find the items " About tablet" or " About phone” and already there to look for the necessary information.
Using third-party programs (ROM Manager)
Sometimes downloading an official update via i-no is not possible, and even custom firmware cannot be installed in this way at all. In this case, one of the best applications used for this purpose, .
With this program, you can easily create system backups and (in our case) manually update the current version of Android, including on Chinese smartphones.
For correct work with the program, it is necessary if your device is not rooted.
After launch, the program will ask you to install ClockWorkMod Recovery (CWM), this is a more advanced mod of the standard Android Recovery OS. We agree, and then we do the following:
Upload to SD card of your device with the necessary firmware (zip-archive format), which can be found on the official website of the developer of our device, run the utility ROM Manager, then select " Install ROM from SD card". Using the folder navigation, we indicate the path to the archive on our es-di map. Now let's activate the button Save Current ROM” (this is done to be able to roll back to the old version if you don’t like the new firmware) and select the “” position:
We agree with the reboot and the program will start the process of rebooting the smartphone in the mode CWM and installing new firmware.
Also, the ROM Manager application will help in finding the firmware for a specific device, for this, in the program menu, select the item " Download firmware”, and it may well be that there is something more suitable for you.
Learn more about app features ROM Manager we watch the video:
Via ClockWorkMod Recovery
It is possible that updating Android using the ROM Manager utility did not work, especially this situation is possible on smartphones from Chinese or little-known manufacturers. In this case, you can use the CWM menu.
ClockworkMod Recovery (or CWM Recovery) is an analogue of the standard recovery with advanced features. This utility will help not only perform a hard reset of the device or install patches for games, but also make the firmware of the mobile gadget.
CWM supports most Android devices. In fact, every second modern Android smartphone (or tablet) is equipped with Modrecovery CWM. But if your device has only stock (standard) recovery, then install CWM Recovery using the ROM Manager application (see above).
After entering the ClockWorkMod Recovery menu, navigate using the volume key, first select " wipe data/factory reset" (to reset all settings to factory settings), then " wipe cache" (to clear the cache). Now find the line install zip from sd card» and confirm the action with the hardware button « Home” or the power button of the device (it plays the role of the button “ Yes»):
Note: for some models of devices, menu operation can be controlled using a sensor.
Further, hitting the point " choose zip from sd card”, specify the path to the new firmware in the ZIP archive that was saved on the es-di card, confirm the choice by clicking“ Yes - Install /sdcard/update.zip»:
After the steps have been taken, the process of flashing our Android device will be launched. Upon completion, select " reboot system now" to reboot the device and wait for the device to load, which can take a rather long period of time.
Important ! Before updating the Android version (firmware), you need to fully charge the device, because the whole process will take about half an hour. During the firmware, the smartphone will need a lot of energy to correctly complete the task. In addition, the backlight of the display during the update procedure will be at maximum brightness, and the update process interrupted due to lack of power can lead to disastrous consequences.
Therefore, before you start updating your device, assess the degree of risk and try to approach the issue of how to update the Android version responsibly. Good luck!
The Internet Explorer 11 web browser is today recognized as one of the fastest and most stable tools used to surf the World Wide Web, along with Edge or third-party browsers such as Chrome, Opera or Mozilla. But this version is present as a built-in only in Windows 10, and many users of lower-ranking systems would also like to have such a utility in their arsenal.
Let's see how to update Internet Explorer to version 11 if an outdated modification is installed on the system. You can do this in a few simple ways. I would immediately like to draw the attention of all users to the fact that IE 11 is far from always possible to install on obsolete operating systems, the support of which has been discontinued.
Is it possible to upgrade Internet Explorer to version 11 on systems below version 10?
The question really needs some clarification. The fact is that even with the automatic update of the version upgrade operating for the browser itself turned on, and not patching holes in the security system, it may not always be installed.
Why is that? Yes, only because for each modification of the OS itself there are restrictions on the use of a certain version of the browser with appropriate support. Even when accessing the official Microsoft resource directly on the site, upgrade options will be offered in the form of "Internet Explorer" for XP - version 8, for Vista - version 9, for 7 and higher - version 11.
And this means that the 11th modification of the browser cannot be installed in EXP or Vista. At least you can try (some advise using the installer for Windows 7), but, as practice shows, the result will be zero.
You can find out the current version of the browser when it is launched using the keyboard shortcut for accessing the settings Alt + X with the selection of the "About" section. In versions of Windows above the seventh, the update may not be required if it was done automatically.
Update "Windows Internet Explorer" in automatic mode
Thus, we can conclude that IE 11 is installed only on systems starting from the seventh and higher. The browser is said to update on its own, although sometimes unexpected crashes can occur.
In the question of how to update Internet Explorer to version 11 in the above systems, there should not be any particular problems. In principle, with the automatic update enabled in the Update Center, the installation of the latest version of IE will still happen sooner or later. If suddenly for some reason this did not happen, you can use the manual installation of both system updates and the browser itself.
Manual installation of the latest version
To get started, you can simply go to the Microsoft website, select the installer there in accordance with the modification and bit depth of the OS, then download it to your computer and start the installation in manual mode.
With an active Internet connection, the installation process will install the latest version of the browser. But you can do it even easier using the so-called online installer. You don't even have to choose. After launching, the web installer file will determine the type and bitness of the OS automatically, after which it will also install all the necessary components on its own.
Possible Browser Update Errors
If for some reason you cannot update Internet Explorer to version 11 on supported systems, the reason should be sought only in the fact that the latest updates and service packs have not been installed for the OS itself.
If service packs are not installed even if you use manual search, you will need to download them yourself directly on the Microsoft website, then install and re-search for updates for installed packages.
In this case, you must use the "Update Center", which is called from the "Control Panel", where the button for manually searching for updates is pressed. Everything that is found must be integrated into the system (no exceptions). After that, the process of installing a new browser can be repeated. Apparently, the errors will disappear after that.
Instead of an afterword
As you can see, Internet Explorer 11 cannot be installed on outdated Windows operating systems. And this is due not so much to the browser itself, but to the fact that support is limited only to versions 8 and 9. Therefore, no matter how much you want it, you can’t jump above your head. But in Windows 7 and above, the 11th modification of IE is installed without problems.
The best option, of course, would be to use the online installer, so as not to download the full distribution and save it to your hard drive. But in this case, you will need an uninterrupted Internet connection.
By the way, in connection with the recent announcements by the Microsoft management about the extension, many experts assume (and not without reason) that it will still be possible to integrate Internet Explorer 11 into the environment of this particular system over time. And for this there are all prerequisites. But, as they say, time will tell, but for now we have to be content with only what we have at the moment. In any case, don't give up.
