This wikiHow teaches you how to update the video card driver (also known as the graphics card) on a Windows 7 computer. You can use your computer's built-in Device Manager program to check for video card updates from the internet. If these aren't available, the video card's built-in program or the card manufacturer's website may provide driver updates that you can download.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Using the Manufacturer's Website
Step 1. Determine the manufacturer of the computer's video card
You can find the name of the card through the Device Manager program. If you haven't used Device Manager or don't see card information, follow these steps:
- Open menu " Start ” and click the search bar.
- Type in device manager, then click " Device Manager ” on the menu.
- Expand the "Display adapters" section by double-clicking it.
- Note the manufacturer and name of the video card you want to update.
Step 2. Visit the manufacturer's website
This step is slightly different depending on the video card manufacturer. However, some fairly popular video card manufacturer websites include:
- NVIDIA -
- AMD -
- Alienware -
- If you don't know the manufacturer's website, type in the manufacturer's name, followed by the search keyword "website" in a search engine to display a list of appropriate search results.
Step 3. Locate the "Downloads" or "Drivers" section
Usually, you can find one of these options at the top of the page. However, you may need to scroll down and look for it under the " Support " (or similar) section.
You may need to click a tab or link " Support " before being able to select a segment " Downloads " or " Drivers ”.
Step 4. Select a video card
Click the video card name when you are prompted to select a card model.
You may need to enter the name of the video card
Step 5. Look for available updates
After selecting or searching for a video card, you can see a list of update files. Look for the most recent files and see if the release date of the file is later than the date of the last video card update on the computer.
If you don't know the date of the last Windows or Device Manager update, simply download and install the available update files
Step 6. Download the update
If an update is available, click the link or button “ Download ” (or something similar) near the name of the option to download it to your computer.
- You may need to confirm the download by selecting a save location or clicking the “ OK ”.
- In rare situations, some web browsers will mark driver update files as malicious or notify them that such files can damage the computer. As long as you download the file directly from the manufacturer's website, you can ignore the warnings.
Step 7. Install the driver
Go to the location where the downloaded update file is stored and double-click the file. After that, follow the prompts that appear on the screen to install the driver.
If the driver files are downloaded in the form of a ZIP folder, you will need to extract the folder by right-clicking the folder and selecting “ Extract Here… " After that, you can open the extracted folder and double-click the driver file.
Method 2 of 3: Using Device Manager
Step 1. Open the “Start” menu
Click the Windows logo in the lower-left corner of the screen. Menus " Start" will be shown.
Step 2. Click the search bar
This bar is at the bottom of the menu Start ”.
Step 3. Locate Device Manager
Type device manager into the menu to search for programs.
Step 4. Click Device Manager
This option is at the top of the “ Start Once clicked, the Device Manager program window will open.
Step 5. Expand the "Display adapters" segment
If you don't see at least one video card name under the " Display adapters " section in the middle of the Device Manager window, double-click the title to display the video card.
Step 6. Right-click the video card name
A drop-down menu will open afterwards.
If there are multiple video card names, right-click the card you want to update
Step 7. Click Update Driver Software…
This option is in the drop-down menu. A pop-up window will open afterwards.
Step 8. Click Search automatically for updated driver software
This option is in the pop-up window. Available driver updates will be searched on the internet.
Step 9. Follow the prompts shown on the screen
If an update for the card is available, click the prompts that appear on the screen to select, confirm, and install the driver.
If you receive a message saying that the version of the driver card you are running is the latest version or that you are already using the best version of the program, it is possible that the driver card has indeed been updated. To check again, try using a video card program or visit the video card's website
Method 3 of 3: Using Video Card Default Programs
Step 1. Understand the right time to use this method
If your computer has a built-in video card (eg one that came after the computer was shipped or an add-in card), it's possible that the program for that card is already installed on the computer. These programs usually provide the option to update the video card automatically.
If you are unable to successfully update your video card via Device Manager, using the video card's built-in program may be the right step
Step 2. Determine the manufacturer of the computer's video card
You can find the name of the card through the Device Manager program. If you haven't used Device Manager or don't see card information, follow these steps:
- Open menu " Start ” and click the search bar.
- Type in device manager, then click " Device Manager ” on the menu.
- Expand the "Display adapters" section by double-clicking it.
- Note the manufacturer and name of the video card you want to update.
Step 3. Locate the video card built-in program on the computer
Click the search bar under the “menu Start ”, then type the name of the card manufacturer or model. A list of suitable programs will be displayed afterwards.
- For example, if you have an NVIDIA GeForce video card installed on your computer, type in nvidia or geforce.
- If you don't get proper results after entering the manufacturer's name, use the video card name instead.
Step 4. Open the video card program
Click the program name on the menu " Start " After that, the program will open in its own window.
If you can't find the video card program on your computer, you can still use the manufacturer's website to find and download a new driver
Step 5. Click the Updates tab or Drivers.
The appropriate tabs are usually in the toolbar at the top of the program window. However, you may need to check the program window to find the right tab.
In some programs, you may need to click on the " Menu " icon (eg. ☰ ”) in the program window to open a toolbar showing the option “ Updates " or " Drivers ”.
Step 6. Look for available driver updates
Once on the " Updates " or " Drivers " page, look for any available updates at the top of the page.
Step 7. Download and install the available drivers
If you see available drivers, click the “ Download ” next to it (or below it) to download the driver. Once the download is complete, the video card program will automatically install the new driver.
- Sometimes, you need to run the installation by clicking the “ Install ” or something like that (e.g. the GeForce Experience program requires you to click the “ EXPRESS INSTALLATION ” to start the driver installation).
- You may be asked to confirm the installation by clicking the “ Yes ”.
