How to update drivers for Windows 7 | CCleaner (2024)

As of January 2020, Microsoft stopped supporting Windows 7. This was always part of the plan because Microsoft committed to 10 years when it released Windows 7 back in 2009. What does this mean if you're still running Windows 7?

Basically, software updates are no longer available including crucial security updates. This could potentially pose a threat to your safety online. Microsoft has strongly recommended that everyone moves to Windows 10 so that they receive the necessary support, software updates, and the latest in technology meaning a better, faster operating system.

It also means that you will need to manually look for and upgrade drivers to keep these up to date. If you are using Windows 7 and need to update drivers, you can still do this as long as device manufacturers support Windows 7 and keep releasing newer versions at their end. Drivers are software that connects devices to your operating system allowing them to work.

If these are outdated they could stop working, malfunction, or pose a security threat to your computer.Recent analysis by Microsoft found that 70% of all blue screens and PC crashes are caused by device drivers.

We're going to show you how to update them using Windows 7 and then using an automatic updater tool, which you'll probably find quicker and easier.

How to update graphics driver for Windows 7

To update drivers in Windows 7 you use the device manager. Here is an example of how to check for a new graphics driver on Windows 7 and install it:

1. Open the start menu in the bottom left-hand corner
2. Enter "Device Manager" into the search bar
3. Select "Device Manager" which will appear under the Control Panel options
4. Expand the "Display Adaptors" option
5. Right-click on your graphics driver, then choose "Update Driver Software"
6. Click on "Search automatically for updated driver software"
7. If Windows finds a newer version you can follow the instructions to install it
8. If it doesn't find a new version, compare your version against the manufacturer's most current driver on their website
9. If you're running an older version, download and install the latest one, following the instructions on the manufacturer's page

Can you update all drivers at once?

If you'd rather not manually update drivers you can use an automatic driver updater. This will search for any outdated ones (e.g. graphics card, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi network card), then download and install the new software for you. This can save a lot of time because you don't have to search through all of your devices.

Sometimes, a driver can be out of date but you may not notice any issues yet with the functionality. However, there could be security issues lurking in the background that are hard to identify.

We recommend you always use a trusted brand to help you do this. You can ask a friend or relative if they use one they like, or try one like ours for free. CCleaner, our flagship product, has been downloaded over 2.5 billion times so it's trusted the world over. Its Driver Updater feature can search more than 25 million different drivers and compare these with those installed on your PC, then deliver updates to the drivers you need. This will:

• Improve the quality of sound and visuals making your experience more pleasurable
• Maximize the performance of your PC hardware which can speed up your Windows 7 machine
• Reduce the number of crashes and bugs on your PC and save you frustration
• Help fix connection issues and other problems which can lead to faster streaming and downloading

If you want to give it a go and see how many outdated drivers are on your machine you can download it now. It comes as part of our CCleaner Professional free trial (no card details needed) which also has other great features that will optimize your PC and help protect your online security. Why not take advantage of all its benefits and then decide whether you want to continue using it? If not, you drop down to CCleaner Free --- no questions asked!

If you already have CCleaner Professional you don't need to do anything, you can start using the driver updater tool as part of your package so why not try it out today?