Installing Driver Updates For Windows XP

Installing driver updates for Windows XP can be very easy if you want it to be.? However, before we jump into installation, its important to establish a basis on drivers and how to ensure you have downloaded the right one prior to installation.

Drivers are the software that ensure proper communication between the operation method and the hardware installed on your computer.? When you install new hardware on your computer, you run a CD that installs the simple driver devices.? When you update your operating system, these drivers are required to be updated.? You may update your drivers through hand or automatically.

Most people update their drivers through hand as it is the least expensive way to do it.? If you wish to update your drivers manually, it is recommended you go to the manufacturer’s website.? Therefore, in the case of Windows XP drivers, it is recommended you visit Microsoft’s official site.? Downloading drivers from third party sources typically results in viruses, spyware and adware installation on your computer.? If you are updating your Windows XP drivers, prior to downloading a driver update off Microsoft’s official website, you will want to ensure the driver is compatible with your operating method and that it is the right make and model.

Updating your drivers through hand can be a lengthy and time consuming affair with lots of frustration as typically the drivers you download are't compatible and/or are virus ridden.

I believe spending a little bit of cash and updating your drivers automatically with driver update software is the best option in order to download and install the updates you require.? The really good feature of driver update software is that all your drivers get updated all at once with the latest official drivers.?

Using the software would work as follows:? If you wished to update your drivers for Windows XP, you would run the software witch would begin a driver scan of your computer.? This would identify the hardware and associated drivers and? cross reference them with the database to ensure the latest official drivers were installed on your computer and outputting a list of required updates for those that where not.? Once the required updates have been identified, the software would automatically download all the required Windows XP drivers you required.?

Installing driver updates for Windows XP is the only remaining task.? In order to do this, you would simply select a particular update and click install (you will must do this for each particular driver).? When you click install, there's various scenarios that may occur:

Scenario 1:?

An installer may launch right now and begin installing.? The majority of drivers downloaded install this easily.

Scenario 2:?

A folder may open, displaying a number of files.? If this happens, you must look for an .exe file, double click on this file and the installer launcher will begin.? If there's no .exe file, look for a file that ends with .inf.? Right click and select “Install” from the menu that appears.

Scenario 3:?

Very similar to Scenario two except that the folder is an “Archived” or “Zipped” file.

If you have an archiver (winzip, winrar, 7-zip etc.), the file will open with that program when you click “Install”.? If you get an error which you can’t open the archived file, you can download 7-zip for free from 7-zip.org. Once the archive manager is open, you will see a list of files, just as described in Scenario 2.? Run the installer as described in Scenario 2.? If the install fails, you will need to extract all the files before running the installer.? To do this, from the archive manager, select “Extract” and select a directory to temporarily store the files.? Browse to that folder and run the installer again.

Once you have installed each driver download separately all your Windows XP drivers will be the latest official drivers.? As mentioned above, not only will your Windows XP drivers be successfully updated and installed, but all your drivers on your computer will be updated and installed!? Installing driver updates for Windows XP is easy if you want it to be!