How to Manually Install Drivers on Windows 11: A Step-by-Step Guide

By / September 10, 2025

Your PC’s drivers are like translators. They help your hardware—graphics card, printer, sound system, and more—communicate smoothly with Windows 11. If a driver isn’t installed properly, you might notice laggy performance, missing features, or even devices that don’t work at all.

Normally, Windows 11 installs most drivers automatically through Windows Update. But sometimes, you’ll need to manually install or update a driver—especially for graphics cards, printers, or older hardware. Don’t worry; it’s easier than it sounds. This guide walks you through step-by-step instructions on how to manually install drivers in Windows 11.

Why You May Need to Manually Install Drivers

Let’s be real—most of the time, Windows takes care of drivers for you. But there are situations where a manual install is necessary:

  • New hardware not recognized (like a new graphics card or printer).

  • Device isn’t working properly after an update.

  • Windows Update doesn’t provide the latest driver.

  • You want a manufacturer’s custom driver for better performance.

  • You downgraded/clean installed Windows 11 and need missing drivers.

Think of it like updating your smartphone apps—sometimes you wait for automatic updates, but other times, you download them directly for the latest features.

Step 1: Identify Which Driver You Need

Before installing anything, you need to know what’s missing.

  1. Press Win + X and select Device Manager.

  2. Look for devices with a yellow triangle warning icon.

  3. Right-click the device > Properties.

  4. Under Details, choose Hardware IDs—this helps identify the exact driver.

Step 2: Download the Driver from the Manufacturer

Now that you know which driver you need, grab it from a reliable source.

⚠️ Tip: Never download drivers from random third-party sites. Stick to official sources to avoid malware.

Step 3: Install the Driver Using Device Manager

Here’s the most common way to manually install a driver:

  1. Open Device Manager.

  2. Right-click the device > Update driver.

  3. Select Browse my computer for drivers.

  4. Choose the folder where you downloaded/unzipped the driver.

  5. Click Next, and Windows will install it.

Step 4: Use the “Have Disk” Option for Manual Installation

Some drivers don’t install automatically. In that case, use the Have Disk option:

  1. In Device Manager, right-click the device > Update driver.

  2. Choose Browse my computer for drivers.

  3. Click Let me pick from a list of available drivers.

  4. Click Have Disk, then browse to the .inf file in your driver folder.

  5. Select it > Click OK > Install.

Step 5: Install Drivers Using Windows Settings

You can also add drivers through Settings:

  1. Press Win + I to open Settings.

  2. Go to Bluetooth & Devices > Devices.

  3. Scroll down and click Add device if it’s hardware like a printer or scanner.

  4. If you downloaded a driver installer (.exe), just double-click it and follow the on-screen instructions.

Step 6: Update Drivers Through Windows Update (Optional)

Sometimes the driver you need is hiding in Windows Update.

  1. Open Settings (Win + I).

  2. Go to Windows Update > Advanced Options > Optional Updates.

  3. Expand the Driver Updates section.

  4. Select the driver and click Download & Install.

How to Manually Install GPU Drivers (NVIDIA, AMD, Intel)

Graphics card drivers often need manual installs for gaming or design performance.

Once downloaded, just run the installer (.exe) and follow the setup wizard.

How to Reinstall Drivers

If a device isn’t working even after updates, try reinstalling its driver:

  1. Open Device Manager.

  2. Right-click the device > Uninstall device.

  3. Restart your PC.

  4. Windows will attempt to reinstall the driver automatically.

  5. If not, install it manually using the methods above.

Troubleshooting Driver Installation Issues

Sometimes things don’t go as planned. Here’s what to try:

  • Driver not installing? → Check if it’s the right version (Windows 11, 64-bit).

  • Device still not working? → Try uninstalling old drivers first.

  • Blue screen after install? → Boot into Safe Mode and roll back the driver.

  • Driver conflicts? → Use Device Manager > Roll Back Driver to revert to a previous version.

Tips for Managing Drivers Safely

  • Always back up drivers before major updates.

  • Don’t update drivers unless you really need to (if it’s working fine, leave it).

  • Create a System Restore Point before big driver changes.

  • Use manufacturer’s tools (like Dell SupportAssist, HP Support Assistant) for automatic updates.

Conclusion

Manually installing drivers on Windows 11 might sound technical, but once you break it down, it’s just a matter of downloading the right file and pointing Windows to it. Whether you’re fixing a missing device, updating your GPU for gaming, or reinstalling after a clean Windows install, the methods above will keep your hardware running smoothly.

Remember: treat drivers like the DNA of your PC. If they’re outdated or corrupted, your system won’t run at its best. But with a little patience, you can easily handle them yourself.

FAQs

1. Can I install Windows 10 drivers on Windows 11?
Yes, most Windows 10 drivers work on Windows 11, but it’s always better to use official Windows 11 versions if available.

2. What’s the safest way to manually install drivers?
Use Device Manager with the Have Disk option or download directly from the manufacturer’s official website.

3. How do I know if my drivers are up to date?
In Device Manager, right-click the device > Properties > Driver tab. You’ll see the driver version and date.

4. Do I need third-party driver updater tools?
Not really. Windows Update and manufacturer websites are safer and more reliable.

5. What should I do if a driver installation causes problems?
Use Device Manager > Roll Back Driver or perform a System Restore to undo the changes.

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