How to Open Drivers in Windows 11: A Step-by-Step Guide

By / October 3, 2025

Drivers are essential software components that allow your hardware (like printers, graphics cards, sound systems, and network adapters) to communicate with Windows 11. Without drivers, your PC can’t function properly.

Whether you want to check, update, uninstall, or reinstall drivers, the first step is learning how to open drivers in Windows 11. In this detailed guide, we’ll cover every method to access drivers quickly and safely.

What Are Drivers in Windows 11?

Drivers are small software programs that act as translators between your operating system and hardware devices. For example:

  • Your graphics driver ensures smooth display and gaming.

  • Your audio driver lets you hear sound through speakers.

  • Your network driver connects you to Wi-Fi or Ethernet.

Without updated drivers, your PC may experience crashes, poor performance, or hardware not working at all.

Why Access Drivers in Windows 11?

You might need to open drivers in Windows 11 if you want to:

  • Update drivers for better performance and security.

  • Uninstall & reinstall drivers to fix errors.

  • Roll back drivers after a faulty update.

  • Check driver versions for compatibility.

  • Troubleshoot device problems.

Method 1: Open Drivers via Device Manager

The Device Manager is the most common tool for opening and managing drivers in Windows 11.

Steps:

  1. Press Windows + X and select Device Manager.

    • Alternatively, search for Device Manager in the Start menu.

  2. Expand the categories (e.g., Display adapters, Sound, video, and game controllers, Network adapters).

  3. Right-click on a device → Select Properties.

  4. Go to the Driver tab.

Here you can see:

  • Driver Provider

  • Driver Date

  • Driver Version

  • Options to Update, Roll Back, Disable, or Uninstall.

✅ This method gives you full control over drivers.

Method 2: Open Drivers Using Windows Settings

Windows 11 Settings also lets you check driver-related updates.

Steps:

  1. Press Windows + I to open Settings.

  2. Go to Windows Update → Advanced options → Optional updates.

  3. Under Driver updates, expand the list.

  4. Select a driver → Click Download & Install.

⚡ This method is useful for quickly updating drivers from Microsoft’s catalog.

Method 3: Open Drivers with Control Panel

Although hidden in Windows 11, Control Panel still gives access to driver-related tools.

Steps:

  1. Search for Control Panel in the Start menu.

  2. Navigate to Hardware and Sound → Devices and Printers.

  3. Right-click a device → Select Properties.

  4. Switch to the Hardware tab → Click Properties again.

You’ll now see driver information and options.

Method 4: Access Drivers via Command Prompt

If you prefer command-line tools, you can list and check drivers.

Steps:

  1. Press Windows + S, type cmd, and select Run as administrator.

  2. Type the command:

    driverquery

  3. Press Enter.

You’ll see a list of all installed drivers, including names, types, and dates.

👉 Use:

driverquery /v

for detailed driver info.

Method 5: Use PowerShell to View Drivers

PowerShell provides even more flexibility.

Steps:

  1. Open PowerShell as administrator.

  2. Enter the command:

    Get-WmiObject Win32_PnPSignedDriver | Select-Object DeviceName, DriverVersion, Manufacturer

This will list all installed drivers with version and manufacturer details.

Method 6: Check Installed Drivers via File Explorer

Windows stores drivers in specific system folders.

Steps:

  1. Open File Explorer.

  2. Navigate to:

    C:\Windows\System32\DriverStore\FileRepository

  3. Here, you’ll find all installed drivers in separate folders.

⚠️ Do not delete anything here manually. This is only for checking.

Method 7: View Drivers with System Information Tool

Windows 11 also includes the System Information tool for driver details.

Steps:

  1. Press Windows + R, type:

    msinfo32

    and hit Enter.

  2. Expand Components → Problem Devices or Components → Multimedia.

  3. You’ll find driver-related issues and details.

Bonus: Third-Party Driver Tools

If you want automated solutions, tools like:

  • Driver Booster

  • Snappy Driver Installer

  • Driver Easy

help scan and update drivers in one click.

⚠️ Tip: Always download drivers from official manufacturer websites for safety.

Tips for Managing Drivers Safely

  • Always create a restore point before updating drivers.

  • Prefer manufacturer drivers (NVIDIA, Intel, AMD) over Microsoft’s generic ones.

  • Roll back a driver if a new version causes issues.

  • Avoid unnecessary third-party driver tools unless you trust them.

Conclusion

Opening and managing drivers in Windows 11 is simple once you know the right tools.

To summarize:

  • Use Device Manager for full control.

  • Use Settings for quick updates.

  • Use Command Prompt / PowerShell for advanced checks.

  • Use System Information and File Explorer for deeper insights.

By learning how to open drivers in Windows 11, you can keep your system stable, troubleshoot issues faster, and ensure your PC runs at its best.

FAQs

1. How do I quickly open drivers in Windows 11?
The fastest way is through Device Manager (Windows + X → Device Manager → Right-click device → Properties → Driver tab).

2. Where are Windows 11 drivers stored?
Drivers are stored in:

C:\Windows\System32\DriverStore\FileRepository

3. Do I need to update drivers regularly?
Yes. Updated drivers improve performance, security, and hardware compatibility.

4. Can I uninstall drivers in Windows 11?
Yes. In Device Manager, right-click the device → Select Uninstall driver.

5. Is it safe to use third-party driver updater tools?
Some are safe, but always prefer downloading drivers from the official manufacturer’s website.

✅ With these methods, you’ll always know how to open and manage drivers in Windows 11 with confidence.

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