For most Windows driver updates, start with Windows Update. Use Device Manager to search for a driver or install a package you already downloaded; use Command Prompt with PnPUtil when you have a local INF file to add and install. PnPUtil does not search the internet for newer drivers.
Choose the right driver update method
| Method | What it does | What you need | Key limitation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Windows Update | Microsoft’s recommended starting point for most driver updates. | An internet connection and any applicable driver updates offered for your PC. | A driver update may not be available through Windows Update. |
| Device Manager | Searches for a driver for a selected device or installs a downloaded driver package. | The device to update; for manual installation, the manufacturer’s package. | An automatic search may not find a newer suitable driver. |
| PnPUtil in Command Prompt | Adds local INF packages to the driver store and attempts installation; can list packages or scan for hardware changes. | An elevated Command Prompt and a local INF file for adding a package. | It does not search online, and it will not force a package onto a device if that package is not the highest-ranked match. |
Microsoft describes PnPUtil as “a command line tool for managing Windows driver packages.” See Microsoft Learn’s PnPUtil overview.
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Before installing a driver
- Prefer Windows Update for routine updates. If you need a driver package, get it from the PC or component manufacturer’s official website; Microsoft advises against other driver-download sites. Microsoft’s Device Manager guidance covers Windows 10 and Windows 11.
- Check that the package matches your Windows release and system architecture. Extract the download if needed so the driver files, including the INF, are accessible.
- If the PC is working normally, avoid changing drivers without a reason. If an update causes trouble, Device Manager may offer a rollback option.
Update a driver through Device Manager
Search automatically
- Open Start, type Device Manager, and open it.
- Expand the category for the device, then right-click the device you want to update.
- Select Update driver, then choose the automatic search option.
- If Windows finds a suitable updated driver, follow the prompts to install it. If it finds none, check Windows Update for available driver updates.
Install a downloaded driver package
- Download the matching package from the device or PC manufacturer’s official website and extract it if necessary.
- In Device Manager, expand the relevant category, right-click the device, and select Update driver.
- Choose Browse my computer for drivers, browse to the folder containing the driver files, confirm the location, and continue with installation.
Install an INF driver package using CMD
PnPUtil is included with Windows. Open Command Prompt as an administrator, then run the command for the package you have. Replace the example path with the actual path to your INF file.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Add and attempt to install one INF file
pnputil /add-driver "C:pathtodriver.inf" /installAdd INF files from a folder and its subfolders
pnputil /add-driver "C:pathtodrivers*.inf" /subdirs /installThe /install option attempts to install the package on matching devices, but it does not override Windows’ driver ranking. If the supplied package is not the highest-ranked matching driver, PnPUtil will not force it onto the device. Read Microsoft Learn’s PnPUtil command syntax for supported options.
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List packages or scan for hardware changes
- Run
pnputil /enum-driversto list third-party OEM driver packages in the driver store. - Run
pnputil /scan-devicesto scan for hardware changes. This is not an internet driver-update command.
PnPUtil’s /add-driver option is available starting with Windows 10 version 1607; /scan-devices is available starting with Windows 10 version 2004. Availability and syntax can depend on the Windows version, so check the target PC with pnputil /?. Microsoft provides examples in its PnPUtil command examples.
Recover if an update causes problems
Roll back the driver
In Device Manager, right-click the affected device, choose Properties, open the Driver tab, and select Roll Back Driver if the option is available. Administrator permissions are required, and the option may not be available for every device or update.
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Restore network access if Wi-Fi stops working
If a network driver update leaves the PC offline, download the correct driver from the manufacturer on another PC and transfer it using a USB flash drive. If you uninstall the network driver and restart, Windows may reinstall it automatically; if it does not, use the saved package. Microsoft’s Wi-Fi connection troubleshooting guidance describes this recovery approach.
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