A quick Windows device driver download and installation guide.

Fix: Windows cannot load the device driver for this hardware

What are device drivers? Device driver definition

Device drivers are a set of software instructions that control the interface between a computer and a connected peripheral device.  Device drivers tell your machine what the device is, what the device does, and all the other instructions needed for proper operation. For instance, Windows™ does not ship with a specific device driver set for all the features in your new Logitech keyboard that has custom buttons.

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Why are device drivers important, and why can’t I just use the device drivers that came with the installation CDs?

Even though your specific device came with an installation CD with everything you need, by the time you get that piece of hardware, there has probably since been downloadable updates to the programming behind how the device works. New unlocked features, more efficiency, increased virus protection, higher performance and bugs are gradually worked out by device driver software updates. For instance, a game may be released after the date your videocard was made, and there are optimizations contained with newer device driver sets that fit that game which aren’t included with the in-box device drivers.

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How do I install device drivers, and from where do I download them?

Download and use Speccy, CPU-Z or GPU-Z  (freeware), found in Driver Storer’s device driver download center,  to quickly and correctly identify which components your computer has.

If you know the exact information about your devices (model numbers) you may skip this step, however utilities such as Speccy can be useful downloads in the future.

Once you found and downloaded the device drivers by manufacturer and model number by navigating through driverstorer.com’s device drivers downloads links, you have to first un-install the old device drivers.

Tip: Download device driver files and save them to a convenient location such as the desktop for easy access.

Removing old device drivers can be done in “add/remove programs” in the Windows™  control panel. First check in “add or remove programs” for the name of the vendor of the device drivers you’re trying to uninstall. If you find any programs in “add and remove programs” list that claim to remove the device drivers you’re looking for you’re done with this step. However, if there are no programs associated with uninstalling the device drivers for your hardware you have to remove the device drivers manually.

For a graphical illustration with screen shots of the following process flow see:

 How to remove, reinstall or update device drivers in Windows XP

Windows 7/Vista device driver install walk through

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• In the control panel in Windows™ XP’s classic view,  find the icon labeled “System.” In Windows 7/Vista “System and Security.”

 

• Next, for Windows™ XP, click on the hardware tab, then Device Manager. In
  Windows 7/Vista just click on Device Manager.

 

• All of the devices in your computer and their associated device drivers are listed by type in the device manager. Find the product of the device drivers you’re trying to uninstall, right click on the device, and select uninstall. Restart your machine.

 

• After reboot find the device driver files you downloaded earlier. Keep in mind some vendors have specific instructions. Always be sure to follow their specific directions if there are any. Also be sure to pay attention to any”read me” files in the device driver package. Most of the time all you have to do is run a setup.exe. During or after the installation process you may be asked to restart your computer.

That’s it! After a final restart  your machine will be benefiting from the updated device drivers.

Device driver install guide / walk-through @ YouTube

Watch in Youtube in HD

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