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Windows 8 & 8.1 Drivers
After you install Windows 8, you may need to install the latest Windows 8 drivers for any hardware that Windows doesn't have built-in drivers for.
Windows 8 is one of Microsoft's newer operating systems, so most manufacturers regularly release driver updates for their hardware that are specifically designed for Windows 8.
Below is a list of information on Windows 8 drivers and general Windows 8 compatibility information for major hardware and computer system makers, including Acer, Dell, Sony, NVIDIA, AMD, and much more.
1. Acer (Desktops, Notebooks, Tablets)
Any Windows 8 drivers for Acer products can be found via their support site (linked below) just like their drivers for other operating systems.
Acer's Upgrade Assistant tool can be used to see if your computer is a compatible model.
Another helpful resource on Acer's site is their Affected Model List, which categorizes their Windows 8 compatible PCs by any issues you might encounter when installing Windows 8. If you're clean installing Windows 8, which we always recommend, your only concern should be the BIOS category. In other words, be sure to update your listed Acer computer's BIOS to the latest version before installing Windows 8.
2. AMD Radeon Driver (Video)
You can download the latest AMD Radeon driver for Windows 8 through the link above.
This Windows 8 driver is compatible with most AMD/ATI Radeon HD GPUs, including those in the R9 series, as well as the HD 7000, HD 6000, and HD 5000 series. That includes both desktop and mobile GPUs.
3. ASUS Drivers (Motherboards)
Windows 8 drivers can be downloaded via ASUS's support site, linked below.
Most of the Windows 8 drivers available right now from ASUS are beta drivers, but more and more are WQHL certified for Windows 8. There are Windows 8 drivers for several of ASUS's more popular Intel and AMD based motherboards.
You can see a current list of Windows 8 supported ASUS motherboards on their Windows 8-Ready Motherboards page.
4. BIOSTAR Drivers (Motherboards & Graphics)
While there isn't a list of BIOSTAR motherboards and video cards that are compatible with Windows 8, most of their recent hardware has Windows 8 drivers available.
Most BIOSTAR boards that worked with Windows 7 should also work with Windows 8.
5. C-Media Drivers (Audio)
Windows 8 drivers for products based on C-Media's audio chipset are available via their driver download page, linked below.
Windows 8 drivers are available for chipsets CM102A+/S+, CM108AH, CM6120XL, CM6206-LX, CM6300, CMI8738-MX, plus several more. However, Windows 8's built-in drivers might work best.
6. Canon (Printers & Scanners)
Canon does provide some Windows 8 drivers for their printers, scanners, and multi-function devices, all of which you can download from their support site that we've linked to here.
7. Compaq Drivers (Desktops and Laptops)
Windows 8 drivers for Compaq computers can be downloaded via HP's support site, linked below.
Compaq used to be an independent computer company but is now part of HP.
8. Creative Sound Blaster Drivers (Audio)
The most current Creative Sound Blaster Windows 8 drivers are listed on Creative's Driver Availability Chart for Windows 7 and Windows 8, linked below.
Creative has made available Windows 8 drivers for some of their popular Sound Blaster audio products but many of them are currently beta drivers.
9. Dell Drivers (Desktops & Laptops)
Windows 8 drivers for Dell computers can be downloaded via Dell's standard support site, linked below.
Many Alienware, Inspiron (desktop and laptop), Latitude, Optiplex, Precision, Vostro, and XPS models have Dell-provided Windows 8 drivers.
10. Dell Drivers (Printers)
Many of Dell's most popular printers are already supported in Windows 8. In other words, you won't need to install a Windows 8 driver for many Dell printers.
Dell printers listed as Not supported may or may not have a Dell-provided Windows 8 driver. Check Dell's standard support site, linked below, for a Windows 8 driver for that printer model.
A number of models of Dell color laser printers, monochrome laser printers, and inkjet printers are fully compatible with Windows 8.
11. eMachines Drivers (Desktops and Notebooks)
Windows 8 drivers for a number of eMachine's notebooks and desktops are available via their normal support site which we've linked to below.
eMachines lists a number of Windows 8 compatible systems on their Windows Upgrade Offer page. Your computer not being listed doesn't necessarily mean that it won't function properly with Windows 8 installed.
12. Gateway Drivers (Desktops & Notebooks)
Windows 8 drivers for a number of Gateway desktops, notebooks, netbooks, and all-in-one computers are available via Gateway's support site, linked below.
Gateway lists a number of fully or mostly Windows 8 compatible systems on their Windows Upgrade Offer page.
If your Gateway computer is not listed, it doesn't necessarily mean that it won't work with Windows 8. The default drivers included by Microsoft may work without issue on your computer.
13. HP Drivers (Desktops & Laptops)
Windows 8 drivers for HP laptops and desktops (including "touch screen" desktops) can be downloaded from HP's standard support site, linked below.
Many of HP's computers have both 32-bit and 64-bit Windows 8 drivers available.
14. HP Drivers (Printers & Scanners)
Any available HP printer drivers for Windows 8 are downloadable from HP's standard support and drivers page, linked below.
The huge majority of printers and scanners manufactured in the several years prior to Windows 8's release will have a driver included for it in Windows 8 or will have a driver available direct from HP. This includes many popular HP Inkjet, Designjet, Deskjet, LaserJet, ENVY, Officejet, Photosmart, PSC, and Scanjet printers, scanners, and all-in-one devices.
From HP's support page, you can see if your specific HP printer or scanner will work with a Windows 8 driver (a driver already installed as part of the operating system), via an update from Windows Update (Windows Update driver), or from a Windows 8 driver downloaded directly from HP (full-feature driver).
HP's Printing in Windows 8 page is also very helpful.
15. Intel Chipset "Drivers" (Intel Motherboards)
The latest Intel Chipset Windows driver for Windows 8 is version 10.1.18383 (Released 2020-05-07).
This update isn't actually a Windows 8 driver, it's a collection of INF file updates that help Windows 8 properly identify Intel chipset hardware like USB controllers and other hardware integrated on Intel motherboards.
This single update works with both 32-bit and 64-bit versions of Windows 8.
16. Intel Drivers (Motherboards, Graphics, Network, Etc.)
Windows 8 drivers are available from Intel (via their support page, linked below) for a number of their devices, including motherboards, graphics processors, network hardware, and more.
We have yet to see a nicely organized list of Windows 8 compatible Intel motherboards or other hardware, but we'd expect anything manufactured in the several years prior to the release of Windows 8 to be fully compatible.
17. Lenovo (Desktops and Laptops)
Windows 8 drivers for hardware included in Lenovo desktop and laptop computers can be downloaded via Lenovo's support site, linked below.
There are Lenovo computers that they have determined are compatible with Windows 8.
18. Lexmark Drivers (Printers)
A number of Lexmark laser, inkjet, and dot matrix printers are fully compatible with Windows 8.
Most of Lexmark's printers are already supported by Windows 8 driver, meaning a driver perfect for your Lexmark printer came included with Windows 8. A few others require Windows 8 drivers made by Lexmark, which you can download by locating the page for your printer from Lexmark's support site, linked below.
19. Microsoft Drivers (Keyboards, Mice, Etc.)
Microsoft doesn't just make operating systems like Windows 8. They also sell hardware like mice, keyboards, webcams, and more.
Windows 8 drivers for Microsoft's products can all be found via the individual product pages found on their Microsoft Hardware Software Downloads page.
20. Microtek Drivers (Scanners)
Microtek's newer scanners and other products have Windows 8 drivers available, all of which are available from their support link below.
Microtek has no plans to release Windows 8 drivers for their older, but very popular scanners. If you have an older Microtek scanner that has a Windows 7 driver available, try that.
21. Samsung (Notebooks, Tablets, Desktops)
Windows 8 drivers for Samsung tablets, notebooks, desktops, and all-in-one computers can be downloaded via Samsung's support site, linked below.
See Samsung's Windows 8 Upgrade page for a list of PC models that are "supported for Windows 8 upgrade." Even if your Samsung computer isn't listed, it may work perfectly well with default drivers provided in Windows 8.
22. Sony Drivers (Desktops & Notebooks)
Windows 8 drivers for Sony notebook or desktop PCs can be downloaded via Sony's eSupport site, linked below.
Sony also has a Windows 8 Upgrade page with information about Sony computers and Windows 8, including a tool to see if Windows 8 drivers are available for your specific Sony computer.
If you see the Congratulations! The [MODEL] is supported for Windows 8 message, then that means that Sony has tested your computer with Windows 8 and provides Windows 8 drivers.
If you see The [MODEL] is not supported for Windows 8. Sony will not provide any support or drivers for installation of Windows 8 on this model. The message, that doesn't necessarily mean that Windows 8 won't install or work properly on your computer with Microsoft-provided drivers. It just means that Sony won't be actively supporting Windows 8 on your PC.
23. Toshiba Drivers (Laptops)
Windows 8 drivers for Toshiba (now called Dynabook) laptop computers can be downloaded via Toshiba's standard support site, linked below.
You can view a list of the latest Toshiba Windows 8 drivers by visiting their Dynabook and Toshiba Drivers & Software page and refining your search first to Windows 8 (64-bit) or Windows 8 (32-bit) and then by whatever category of driver you're after.
Toshiba also keeps a list of laptops that they've successfully tested with Windows 8: Computers tested and supported by Toshiba for an upgrade to Windows 8.
Updating Drivers in Windows 7
Updating drivers in Windows 7 isn't something you do on a regular basis, but you might find yourself needing to do so for any of several reasons.
For example, you might need to install drivers in Windows 7 for a piece of hardware if you're troubleshooting a problem with the device, if a driver isn't automatically installed during a Windows installation, or if a driver update enables new features you'd like to utilize.
Step-by-step guide to updating Windows 7 drivers -
1. Download the Latest Windows 7 Driver for the Hardware
The first thing you need to do is to download the latest driver for the device from the hardware maker's website. It's important to download a driver directly from its source so that you're sure you're getting the most valid, tested, and recent driver possible
See How to Find and Download Drivers From Manufacturer Websites if you need help.
As you can see in the screenshot above, we've visited Intel's site to download the driver for an Intel-based network card. The download came in the form of a single, compressed file.
2. Extract the Driver Files From the Compressed Download
When you download a driver for a piece of hardware in your computer, you're actually downloading a compressed file that contains the one or more actual driver files, plus various other auxiliary files necessary to get the driver installed in Windows 7.
So, before you can update the drivers for a specific piece of hardware, you have to extract the files from the download you completed in the previous step.
Windows 7 has built-in compression/decompression software, but we prefer a dedicated program like the free 7-Zip, mainly because it supports so many more formats than Windows 7 does natively. There are plenty of free file extractor programs out there if you don't care for 7-Zip.
Regardless of the program used, you can usually right-click on the downloaded file and choose to Extract the files to a folder. Be sure to create a new folder to extract the files to, and make sure you choose to create the new folder somewhere you'll remember.
3. Open Device Manager From the Control Panel in Windows 7
Now that the driver files are extracted ready to be used, open Device Manager from the Control Panel.
In Windows 7, hardware management, including updating drivers, is accomplished from within Device Manager.
4. Locate the Hardware Device You Want to Update the Drivers For
With Device Manager open, locate the hardware device you want to update the drivers for.
Navigate through the hardware device categories by using the > icon. Under each hardware category will be the one or more devices that belong to that category.
5. Open the Hardware Device's Properties
After locating the hardware that you want to update the driver for, right-click its name or icon and then select Properties.
6. Start the Update Driver Software Wizard
Start the Update Driver Software wizard by first going into the Driver tab and then choosing Update Driver.
7. Choose to Locate and Install Driver Software Manually
The first question asked by the update wizard is "How do you want to search for driver software?"
Choose Browse my computer for driver software. This option will allow you to manually select the driver you want installed—the one you downloaded in the first step.
By manually selecting the driver to install, you can be sure that the best driver, the one directly from the manufacturer that you just downloaded, is the driver that will be installed.
8. Choose to Pick From a List of Device Drivers on Your Computer
On the next screen, where you're told to Browse for driver software on your computer, instead select Let me pick from a list of device drivers on my computer at the bottom of the window.
9. Select 'Have Disk'
On the Select Network Adapter1 screen, select Have Disk.
The name of this screen will be different depending on the kind of hardware you're updating the drivers for. A more generic Select the device driver you want to install for this hardware is common.
10. Select 'Browse'
Select Browse on the Install From Disk window.
11. Navigate to the Folder with the Extracted Driver Files
In the Locate File window, use the Look in drop-down box at the top and/or the shortcuts on the left to navigate to the folder with the extracted driver files that you created in Step 2.
Long story short: If nicely named folders exist, get your way to the one that makes the most sense based on your computer. If you're not that lucky, don't worry about it, just navigate to the folder with the extracted driver files.
12. Choose Any INF File in the Folder
Select any INF file that displays in the file list and then press Open. The Update Driver Software wizard will read the information from all the INF files in this folder.
INF files are the only files that Device Manager accepts for driver setup information. So while you may know that a folder you've selected has all sorts of files in it, it's an INF file that the Update Driver Software wizard is looking for.
Not sure which INF file to choose when there are several?
It really doesn't matter which INF file you open, since Windows will only actually use the appropriate one from the folder.
Couldn't find an INF file in the folder you selected from your driver download?
Try looking in another folder within the extracted drivers. Maybe you chose the wrong one.
Couldn't find an INF file in any folder from the extracted driver files?
The driver download may have been damaged, or you may not have extracted them properly. Try downloading and extracting the drivers again. See Steps 1 and 2 again if you need help.
13. Confirm Your Folder Choice
Press OK back on the Install From Disk window.
You might notice the path to the folder you chose in the last step in the text box.
14. Start the Windows 7 Driver Installation Process
You're now back to the Select Network Adapter screen you saw in Step 9. This time, however, you want to choose the correct driver and then select Next.
15. Wait While Windows 7 Installs the Updated Driver
Wait while the wizard completes the driver installation process.
Windows is using the information included in the INF files you provided in Step 12 to copy the proper driver files and make the proper registry entries for your hardware.
16. Close the Update Driver Software Window
Assuming the driver update process completed successfully, you'll see the "Windows has successfully updated your driver software" message.
Select Close to close this window.
You're not finished yet!
You need to restart your computer and make sure your hardware is working properly with its new drivers.
17. Restart Your Computer
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 and other important areas of your computer, and restarting is a good way to confirm that updating drivers hasn't negatively impacted some other area of Windows.
18. Wait While Windows Restarts
Wait for Windows to fully restart and then log in as you usually do.
19. Check the Device's Status for Errors
Once logged in, check the device's status in Device Manager and make sure it reads "This device is working properly."
20. Test the Hardware
Finally, you should test the hardware device and make sure it's working properly.
In this example, since we updated the drivers for the network card, a simple test of the network or the internet in Windows 7 should prove that things are working properly.
Were you trying to fix a Device Manager error code but a driver update didn't work?
If a driver update didn't fix your problem, return to the troubleshooting information for your error code. Most device manager error codes have several possible solutions.
