A software driver is a piece of code that enables an operating system to interface with hardware devices. The operating system utilizes this code to communicate with hardware and perform functions suitable for the device.
A variety of different kinds of hardware are compatible with computers, but each one requires a specific driver to work correctly. This hardware may include external components, such as keyboards and mice, as well as internal components like the CPU and data port.
The vast majority of drivers are directly downloaded from the manufacturers who developed and built the hardware. These manufacturers usually offer software applications that search the internet for available updates to their driver software. The program will inform the uts it service desk user that an update is available or allow the user to manually download and install the most compatible version.
The most important thing to keep in mind is that, for most computers, the best and quickest method to find out whether a device driver requires updating is to check the manufacturer’s website. These companies are typically well informed about how their own hardware works and typically offer a lot of help and advice on the use of their products. They also often include a small utility program on top of their hardware that is able to instantly search for any new releases or compatibility problems and automatically download and install compatible new releases.
