How to Update Drivers | Skip the Third-Party Tools

Updating drivers on Windows 11 is done through Windows Update or Device Manager, while macOS handles drivers automatically through Software Update.

The safest way to update drivers on any computer uses tools already on the machine — no third‑party app required. Whether you need to know how to update drivers on Windows 11 or a Mac, the built‑in routes work for the vast majority of devices. For GPUs and specialized hardware, manufacturer sites fill the gap. Here’s the exact process for each platform.

Updating Drivers on Windows 11: The Built‑In Routes

The best driver update method in Windows 11 is the one you’re probably ignoring: Windows Update itself. Microsoft pushes driver updates through the same channel that delivers security patches, and enabling the right toggle ensures you get them.

Windows Update — Automatic Driver Installation

This handles most drivers automatically, including network adapters, storage controllers, and USB peripherals.

• Open Start > Settings > Windows Update.
• Click Advanced options and toggle Receive updates for other Microsoft products to On.
• Go back and click Check for updates. Windows downloads and installs any recommended drivers along with system updates.

Optional Updates — Where Hidden Drivers Live

Some driver updates — especially for Bluetooth, sound, and chipset devices — don’t install automatically. They sit in the Optional Updates section.

• In Windows Update, click Advanced options > Optional updates.
• Select the Driver updates tab.
• Check the boxes next to any listed drivers and click Download and install.

Device Manager — Manual Update for a Single Device

Use this when you need to force an update on one specific device, like a display adapter or network card.

• Press Win + R, type devmgmt.msc, and hit Enter.
• Expand the category (for example, Display adapters), right‑click the device, and select Update driver.
• Choose Search automatically for drivers. If Windows finds nothing, it tells you “The best drivers for your device are already installed.”

For quick access to Windows Update at any time, press Win + R and type ms-settings:windowsupdate.

How to Update Drivers on a Mac

macOS handles the vast majority of its drivers through the operating system itself — you don’t hunt them down individually. A single Software Update check keeps everything current.

Software Update — The One‑Stop for Mac Drivers

• Click the Apple menu > System Settings > General > Software Update.
• If an update appears, click Update now.

External Device Drivers — Printers and Peripherals

Some hardware, like multifunction printers or pro‑audio gear, ships its own installer. The process is straightforward but one setting often trips people up.

• Download the driver installer from the manufacturer’s support page.
• Double‑click the file to unzip it, then run the Installer package.
• If a security message blocks the install, go to System Settings > Privacy & Security. Under Security, locate the blocked message and click Allow.

For users comfortable with the command line, Terminal offers a shortcut: sudo softwareupdate --list shows available updates, and sudo softwareupdate --install --all installs them in one pass. You’ll need your admin password for either command.

When Should You Download Drivers Directly from a Manufacturer?

For most computers, Windows Update or macOS Software Update delivers everything you need. The exception is high‑performance hardware like graphics cards. NVIDIA, AMD, and Intel release GPU driver updates on their own schedule, and these often include game‑ready optimizations and feature improvements that don’t arrive through Windows Update.

The same goes for motherboard chipset drivers from ASUS, MSI, or Gigabyte, and for specialized peripherals like pro‑audio interfaces. Before downloading, identify your exact model in Device Manager (on Windows) or About This Mac (on macOS), then get the installer from the official support page. Microsoft’s official guidance on Windows Update confirms that the automatic channel covers most driver needs — manufacturer sites are only necessary for the edge cases where performance matters most.

The Mistake That Wastes Your Time

The most common driver‑update mistake is reaching for a third‑party utility when Windows Update already has what you need. Programs like IObit Driver Booster and Driver Easy duplicate what the operating system does for free, and their 7‑day trials lead to a paid upgrade before they offer anything Windows didn’t already deliver.

The other frequent miss is skipping Optional Updates. After a major Windows update, the optional list often contains Bluetooth, audio, and chipset drivers that aren’t marked as critical but solve common problems like crackling sound or missing Wi‑Fi networks. Checking that list once a month eliminates most driver‑related headaches.

What About a 2013 Mac?

Apple stopped releasing official driver updates for 2013 Mac models in 2018. If you’re running one of those machines, neither Software Update nor manufacturer websites will find new drivers. The only remaining route to a modern macOS on that hardware is the unofficial OpenCore Legacy Patcher (OCLP), which is a community‑maintained project that enables newer macOS versions on unsupported Macs. It’s a more involved process but extends the life of hardware that would otherwise be stuck on an outdated system.

Driver Update Checklist — Windows 11 and macOS

Use this sequence to stay current on both platforms without wasting time on tools you don’t need.

1. Windows 11: Open Windows Update, toggle on updates for other Microsoft products, then check for updates and install everything recommended.
2. Windows 11: After the update, go to Optional updates and install any listed driver updates.
3. Windows 11: For a single device that still acts up, open Device Manager, right‑click it, and use Search automatically for drivers.
4. Windows 11: For GPU or motherboard performance gains, check the manufacturer’s support site directly.
5. Mac: Open System Settings > General > Software Update and install any available update.
6. Mac: For external devices like printers, download the installer from the manufacturer, run it, and allow the install under Privacy & Security if blocked.
7. Both: If a new driver causes issues, roll it back through Device Manager > Properties > Driver > Roll Back Driver (Windows) or reinstall the previous macOS version from Recovery (Mac).