How to Update Drivers in Windows XP
If Windows XP doesn’t install a device automatically, or if the hardware is having some kind of problem, you’ll need to know how to update/install drivers in Windows XP.
If you see a Device Manager Error, sometimes the solution is as easy as updating the driver. Updating the drivers for a piece of hardware will sometimes enable additional features for the hardware as well.
Here’s how to update drivers in Windows XP:
- Check the device manufacturer’s web site for the most current drivers available for your hardware. Note: Many drivers come packaged with software that automatically installs the driver. The manufacturer’s website will tell you if the driver download is packaged this way and if so, the steps below aren’t usually necessary.
- Open Device Manager
- Locate the hardware device you wish to update drivers for.Click on the [+] icon to expand the categories.
- After finding the hardware you’re updating drivers for, right click on the hardware’s name or icon and choose Properties. In this Properties window, click the Driver tab.
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Click the Update Driver… button. The Hardware Update Wizard will begin.
- Click the No, not this time button and then click the Next > button. When asked “Can Windows connect to Windows Update to search for software?”
- Choose the Install from a list or specific location (Advanced) button and then click the Next > button. When asked What do you want the wizard to do?” The next window that appears will be the Please choose your search and installation options. window containing several buttons and checkboxes.
- Choose the Don’t search. I will choose the driver to install button and then click the Next > button.
- Click the Have Disk… button on the Select the device driver you want to install for this hardware. window.
- Click the Browse… button on the Install From Disk dialog box that appeared.
- Click the INF file that displays in the file list and click the Open button.
- Click the OK button back on the Install From Disk dialog box.
- Choose the newly added hardware back on the Select the device driver you want to install for this hardware. window and then click the Next > button.
If you’re prompted with a message warning you about the software for the hardware device not passing the Windows Logo testing, click the Continue Anyway button. Many drivers are not Windows certified but are still perfectly safe to install. (If you’re installing a driver obtained from anywhere other than the manufacturer of the hardware, click the STOP Installation button instead and obtain drivers from the manufacturer directly.)
- The Hardware Update Wizard will now use the instructions provided in the INF file from Step 11 to install the updated drivers for your hardware. Follow any additional instructions on screen to complete the driver update.
- After the driver update is complete, click Yes to the “Do you want to restart your computer now?” question on System Settings Change and other important areas of your computer. Restarting your machine is a good way to confirm that updating drivers hasn’t negatively impacted some other area of Windows. dialog box. Not all driver updates require a restart of your computer. Even if you’re not prompted, I always recommend restarting anyway. The driver update process involves changes to the Windows Registry (If a driver update causes an issue, you can always roll back the driver)
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