The full operation of the computer largely depends on the functioning of many devices inside it. To also not complain about these mechanisms, you need to follow the relevance of the drivers. In this case, information about the latest version and possible updates will be useful. What is the driver and how to know his version will be discussed in this article.
What is the driver?
Without a driver, it is impossible to present the computer. This is a link between PCs and devices in it. The principle of operation of the driver is concluded in the following: With its help, the operating system installed on the computer receives permission to contact with the hardware of any device.
Drivers are necessary for all external and internal computer devices. A striking example that will show the importance of the driver is the work of the printer. You can connect it to a computer without a special program, but it will be impossible to print information from the computer. Then the driver should be connected, and only after that you can print.
The same principle of the scanner, sound card, video card and much more. The main drivers will automatically go bundled with the operating system. But for additional devices it will be necessary to search for the necessary program. For example, even for installing a web cameras, you will need to find the required driver.
Why know the driver's version?
The user of computer equipment and gadgets is useful to know the driver version on various devices in such cases:
- When devices began to work with interruptions, their reaction has become slow and unproductive. In this case, you need to upgrade the driver. And so that it is relevant, it should be determined which version is currently installed.
- So that the devices inside the computer are not conflicted to each other, follow the driver versions.
- The version should be suitable for the operating system that is currently installed on the PC.
Often official manufacturers of computer equipment and components are postponed on their driver's sites in free access. But to know what to download, first you should find out the version of the previous program.
The same motivation and when searching for drivers with foreign sites on the Internet. When you need to find a good actual driver, without knowing his version, you can not do.
How to find out the driver's version?
There are several ways to find out the driver's version. Some of them are elementary, and some require some time to find the information you need.
Take advantage of special programs
There are special programs that will help not only find out the driver's version, but also will completely give it a characteristic. They can be said on the Internet in free access. Every year, all new software products appear, but all of them are combined with a single task - to analyze the device driver and give it a complete characteristic.
Use the operating system
This option is suitable when there is no desire to search and download an additional program. The driver directly contacts the operating system, because with its help you can find out the version of this program. Modern operating systems, which are very popular at this time, give the user with ease to learn all the necessary information.
To do this, it is necessary to conduct uncomplicated manipulations:
- Select "Start" - "Control Panel" - "System".
- The "System Properties" tab will appear on the screen, you need to select "Equipment", and after - "Device Manager".
- A complete list of devices available on this PC will appear. You must select the device. Click on it right buttons and from the menu that appears to select "Properties".
- Now a window with 4 tabs opened. You should select "Driver".
Here the user can find out:
- driver manufacturer;
- version;
- development date.
You can also update the program or refuse the current update. It will be useful to know that in the same window the driver can be removed.
Using the command line
This is another method to quickly get the necessary information about the driver version. The method involves such an action algorithm:
- Select "Start" and then "Run".
- Drive the "CMD" command.
- Confirm action.
A command line will appear on the screen. Now you can use certain additional commands to obtain data on specific devices:
- the DRIVERQUERY command will learn about all drivers;
- "DRIVERQUERY / SI" will tell about the drivers with the presence of a signature;
- "DRIVERQUERY / V / FO LIST" will display non-signed drivers on the screen.
These simple, but effective methods will allow you to find out the version of the driver of the device of interest. Also, the information obtained will provide an opportunity to follow the updates in a timely manner, which will improve the work of the computer as a whole.
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