Best Free Driver Websites

[aguazales]

I have been searching the Internet for a couple of days now for the best websites from which to download driver updates for my computer. I have been having little luck. I know that the site generally reviews software, not websites, but would it be possible to compile a list of the best driver search and download websites, similar to your list of the best free tech websites. I am sure that many of the people who browse this site also find themselves in need of a driver every now and then. Thanks for such a great site!

[Anupam]

Hi, welcome to the forum .

Thanks for the suggestion. But I don't think such a list is required.

Drivers are something for which frequent updates are not required. If a driver update or download is required, it should be done from the site of the manufacturer of that hardware. That's where you will get the correct driver, and that is the right place to look for drivers, nowhere else.

Wrong driver updates can cause a lot of problems... boot trouble, BSODs, frequent hang ups etc. Therefore, you should be very careful with driver updates. There are many websites out there, or softwares, which lure users for these driver updates. But, the original manufacturer's website is where you should look first. Most of them, keep drivers for old hardware too. New ones can be found without any trouble.

Occasionally, you can have problem looking for some drivers of old hardware, then you need to look for other sites... not until then.

[kimsland]

Originally Posted by Anupam

it should be done from the site of the manufacturer of that hardware.

I agree.

In some cases Manufacturers do not support the required drivers.
As an example a computer that was supplied with XP, but the manufacturer does not include Windows 7 drivers.
In this case: Still contact the manufacturer first. ie They may state that they can supply all drivers except one (like Sound or Modem) This won't be an issue if you decide to update this hardware (in a PC)
You can also search these types of not supported drivers at Google, some users have made their own personal hardware drivers that may work.

Regarding 3rd party Driver Update programs.
Don't use them. I don't and I pride myself on finding any driver that exists.
These "programs" can be used to share your downloads online, or worse: They may ask for money.
Generally (ie always) I have never found a need for them, even after trying, then uninstalling them.

[Century22]

I agree that the most reliable source is the manufacturer. They should be made available there and any updates.

However there are quite a few devices that are no longer supported for various reasons. Some companies are bought out and the new company refuses to support the others devices.
Many just don't have support for old devices.

I have had to search else where for some.
I've even had the manufacturer refer me to a driver site like the ones posted below:

http://www.driverguide.com/
http://driversearch.com/

There are no sites that I can recommend currently, but I sometimes need to find drivers also and would like to have others recommend sites.

[wdhpr]

Are we saying that windows built in driver update doesn't work very well?

I used to use drivermax. Not anymore and I would not recommend it either. If it aint broke don't fix it. For now I use Double Driver to make a backup. I will periodically Check my computers website and check for driver updates from there. The biggest problem I have had with drivers is that they sometimes for what ever reason become corrupted. Thats when the backups are handy.

Cheers
Wdhpr

[BuzyBee]

Originally Posted by wdhpr

I used to use drivermax. Not anymore and I would not recommend it either. If it aint broke don't fix it.

I whole heartedly second this. If I had known about this forum before my last driver check/update, I could have avoid my DriverMax fiasco. Horrible!