Inoperability at the first connection or sudden stop of one of the available computer devices - webcam, printer, video card, audio card, etc. - may be caused by hardware or software failures.

Most often, the second becomes the cause of the inoperability of one or another PC component. And this is due to failures or complete failure of the device software - drivers. To restore the computer, you need to reinstall the drivers on Windows.

Let's consider two ways to install / reinstall drivers - standard (manual) and automatic (using specialized software).

Manual way to install drivers on a computer.

The process of standard software installation in Windows can be divided into three stages:

1. Collection of technical information about the device and operating system.
2. Search for suitable software on the net.
3. Driver installation.

At each of these stages, there is a possibility of difficulties, up to a malfunction or complete failure of the operating system. But this can be avoided if you carefully follow the further instructions. Let's analyze each of the stages of installing / reinstalling drivers.

1. Collection of information. If you try to enter a query like “Download a driver for a webcam” into a search engine, thousands of sites will be displayed in the search results, each of which will have the same number of links for downloading software. Our task is to find a driver suitable for the existing device and the operating system installed on the computer. And for this you need to narrow the search, and here it is enough to specify the device model and version of Windows.

To accurately determine the device model, perform the following steps (you can skip if information about the device can be obtained from the documentation for it):

Launch the system application "Device Manager". To do this, call the context menu above the "My Computer" or "This Computer" icon, click on the "Properties" item, and then on the "Device Manager" item.

A window will appear on the screen with the following content:

First, try to automatically search for drivers by clicking on the appropriate item in this window. However, in most cases this results in a message like this:


It's okay - it's just that the system does not look for drivers in user folders, but does it exclusively in system directories. Especially for this, a manual search for drivers was provided. Run it by clicking on the item "Search for drivers on this computer".

In the next window, in the "Look for drivers on this computer" section, click the "Browse" button and select the folder where the unpacked driver files were saved.


Click the "Next" button to complete the installation. Next, you may need to restart the computer, after which the device should be detected by the system. Now let's look at the process of installing the driver automatically, for which we will use the modern DriverHub utility.

Program for installing drivers and subsequent updates.

DriverHub is a driver manager designed to install and update software from a wide range of computer devices. The program is completely free, suitable for computers running Windows 7 and higher (32 and 64 bits).

Some drivers are only shipped in ".zip" format, which do not include the ".exe" installation file. They are just as easy to install as regular drivers. Now we will tell you how to install the driver for the printer from their archive

Notes:

• do not connect the printer until it is specified in this manual;
• these instructions apply to all Windows operating systems, from XP to Windows 10.

First of all, the downloaded driver needs to be unpacked. This can be done with the free 7-Zip program (you can download it on the official website http://7-zip.org.ua/ru/), or with the paid WinRar program. Also, archives can be unpacked using basic Windows tools (if the archive is in zip format) or if the archive is self-extracting (usually it is, the exe format).

Example 1 If we take the Xerox Phaser 3010 as an example, then you will download an archive of drivers (in exe format), which are simply packed into one file. You need to run the downloaded archive (by clicking 2 times with the left mouse button) and a window will open where you need to specify where to unpack the drivers.

Example 2 If we download the driver in zip format, then we need to use archivers to extract the drivers. To do this, you can install one of the above archivers and then right-click on the archive. In the context menu, select: "Extract all" or "Extract to current folder" or "Extract to (folder name will be written here)".

So, the unpacked file, if you haven't changed anything, will be in the same folder as the downloaded archive. If you are offered a path where to unpack the drivers, then be sure to pay attention to this path so that you do not have to look for drivers all over your computer later.

After unpacking, make sure that there are no ".exe" files in the archive (for example, "Install.exe" or "Setup.exe"). If such a file was found, then the installation must be carried out in standard mode (run the file and use the installer's prompts), if not, we move further along this guide.

Go to "Control Panel" - "Hardware and Sound" - "Devices and Printers". In the top menu, click "Add a printer".

After that, a window with the device search indicator will appear. Without waiting for the results, click "The required printer is not listed."

After that, select the lowest item - "Add a local or network printer ..." and click "Next".

In the port selection menu, we also simply click "Next" - in this window, the settings are not important.

In the next window, you must click the "Install from disk" button.

In the window that appears, click "Browse".

Now specify the path to the folder that you unpacked. Next, click on the ".inf" file with the left mouse button, and then click "Open".

Click "OK".

In the next window, select the printer (by clicking the left mouse button) and then click "Next".

In this window, you do not need to change anything, just click "Next".

When we do these manipulations, the driver installation will begin. Now we are waiting for this process to complete on your computer. A window will appear asking you to share this printer with network users. We do not need this, so we leave the selected top option by default and click "Next". You may not see this window. Then the window will look like this:
Here you need to click "Finish". Now we go to the folder where devices and printers are located (it was described above how to go here) and right-click on the printer that was just installed. Click "Remove device" (the drivers will remain in the system).

After that, we connect the printer to the computer, turn on the printer and Windows will automatically install the correct driver for your device.

Installing the driver through Device Manager

If the method described above did not help you, then in this case we want to offer another one. Traditionally, the downloaded driver needs to be unpacked. Most often, the built-in Windows archiver is enough for this purpose. We have already discussed about this archivers above.

Now you need to do the following: connect the printer to a PC or laptop. Open Start, write in the search bar "Device Manager" and press "Enter";

You will see a summary of all devices connected to the computer. Your printer will be under "Other Devices" called "Unknown Device". Right-click on this device and select "Update Driver Software...".

In the "Update Drivers" window, select the manual driver search item (point 2).

We select the driver selection item from the already installed drivers.

In the device type selection menu, select "Printers" and click "Next".

And the final step: in the "Add Printer Wizard" window, select "Install from disk", then "Browse" and specify the path to the .inf file from the unpacked folder with the driver.

After that, your printer will be installed on your computer or laptop.

This is one of the most common questions that are asked on the Web in numerous forums, not only by beginners, but also by quite experienced users of personal computers. In fact, there is nothing complicated in installing any driver. You just need to remember a typical set of actions, with the help of which any driver is installed.

The driver can be installed in two ways. This:

Installing the driver as a normal program;
complex driver installation.

Easy driver installation

Since, at its core, any driver is a regular program for the operating system, its installation can be done in exactly the same way. That is, if the driver installation file looks like “Install.exe” or “Setup.exe”? there shouldn't be any problem installing it.

The only problem that may occur when installing the driver in this way is the failure of your operating system to recognize the equipment connected to the computer. This indicates that the driver being installed for the hardware is not suitable for it. In this case, you need to download the driver from the official website of the hardware manufacturer. Before downloading the driver, make sure that it is suitable for your hardware. Any manufacturer of computer components and equipment indicates which particular model and series of hardware a particular driver is designed for. Typically, this situation occurs when, when connecting new equipment, a PC user tries to install an outdated driver version.

Integrated driver installation

This method of installing drivers is a little more complicated than the previous one, but if you remember the sequence of the steps below, you can install absolutely any driver for any equipment.

1. First, click on the button " Start", select the item" My computer”, right-click on it and select “ Properties ».

3. In the window that appears, select the device connected to the computer for which you need to install the driver. Devices without drivers are indicated by special yellow icons (question marks). Select the device and right-click on it. Go to the menu item " Properties ».

4. Select the item “ Driver' and click on the button ' Refresh ».

5. The system will prompt you to search for the required driver on the Internet. We need to click on the button No not this time", and then " Further ».

6. In the next window of the driver installation manager, select the item " Search for the most suitable driver in the specified locations» and subparagraph « Enable next search location". After that, press " Overview"And select the folder or drive where the required driver is located.

That's all. Your Windows will automatically find the required driver and install it.

Important! If you are going to reinstall the driver for this or that equipment. Then for a start it is better to remove its old version with the help of " Device Manager", and then install the new version in a convenient way for you.

A source

A computer is a machine that raises many questions for new users. Therefore, today we will talk about how to install drivers on Windows 7. Every user should be aware of this procedure. Otherwise, he will have certain problems connecting various equipment to the computer. What to pay attention to? How is the reinstallation or initial installation of drivers in the operating system performed? All this will be discussed later.

Driver is...

First you need to understand what kind of software we are talking about. After all, it is possible that the software being studied will not be required by the user.

In fact, drivers are extremely important components. This is a kind of software package that helps to determine this or that connected equipment in the operating system. Without a driver, none of the components of the PC will work properly. Or it is simply not recognized. Therefore, it is important to know how to install drivers on a computer on Windows 7.

On what is

Some are interested in connecting what equipment they will encounter with the software being studied. This is normal. After all, as a rule, some computer components work without a driver initially. Though not entirely correct.

In general, if the user is thinking about how to install a Windows 7 device driver, you need to be aware that this procedure is important for any equipment. Without the appropriate software package, the component is not recognized by the operating system.

Most often you have to work with drivers:

• sound card;
• video cards;
• random access memory;
• removable media (like flash cards);
• mice;
• keyboards;
• joysticks;
• webcams;
• microphones;
• headsets;
• printers and scanners.

In general, if you plan to connect any equipment, it will require the studied software. How to install drivers on Windows 7? What does that require? What difficulties can be encountered during the procedure?

Automatic detection

In Windows 7, users have a unique ability to automatically search for drivers on their computer. This means that a piece of equipment will not require additional manipulation to determine the connected component.

How to act in such a case? How to install drivers automatically on Windows 7? You can consider the situation on the example of memory cards or removable media. It is this equipment that usually does not require additional action.

To automatically search for the necessary software and install it, you need:

1. Turn on the computer. Be sure to wait for the operating system to load.
2. Insert the equipment into the appropriate slot. For example, a flash card in a USB connector.
3. Wait a while. In the operating system, when the equipment is connected for the first time, a message will appear about the automatic search for the driver and its initialization. If the software is installed, the OS will inform the user about the readiness of the connected component to work.

Now it’s clear how to automatically install the driver. Code 28 for Windows 7 is the error number of the installation of the corresponding software for the connected equipment. It appears when the computer could not find a driver for a particular component. How to deal with such a problem?

Manual driver installation

Most of the time, this is exactly what happens. How to install drivers on Windows 7? Often you have to do the whole process yourself. Removable media does not require additional manipulations, but other equipment does.

Accordingly, the user must manually install the software package for debugging and recognizing the device. The procedure is performed for each connected equipment.

The process boils down to the following scheme:

1. The computer turns on. As in the previous case, you must wait for the OS to load.
2. Connect the device to the appropriate connectors. If necessary, turn on the equipment in the network.
3. Run a special driver installer program. It is usually included with the equipment.
4. Complete the installation process following the instructions of the initializer.
5. To restart a computer. An optional, though desirable procedure.

After the driver installation is complete, a corresponding message will appear on the computer stating that the operating system has recognized the new device. This means that from now on it will work properly.

What you need for manual installation

However, not everything is as simple as it seems. The fact is that the process of manually installing the studied software sometimes requires some preparation. What needs to be done to be fully prepared for the procedure?

Today, if a user is thinking about how to install drivers on Windows 7, he should prepare:

• a working PC to which the component is planned to be connected;
• connected equipment;
• wires for connecting the device, usually included with the component;
• installation disk with drivers (also included).

Without all this, it will not be possible to bring the idea to life. Sometimes it happens that the disc is either not included, or not available at all. What to do in this case?

If there is no disk

How to install a printer driver on Windows 7 or any other hardware without an installation disc? It's not that hard to do it! The main thing is to follow a small instruction.

It looks like this:

1. Turn on the computer and wait for it to boot.
2. Connect to the Internet.
3. Look at the model of the connected equipment. It will be written either on the device or on the box with it.
4. Go to the official website of the equipment manufacturer.
5. Search for a driver for the appropriate device. There are special lines on the creators' website for this.
6. Download driver. It will be downloaded as an executable file.
7. Connect new hardware to the computer.
8. Run the downloaded driver and, following the steps prescribed in the installer, install the software.

There is nothing difficult in the process. The only thing that is recommended to pay attention to is the version of the driver being downloaded. It is advisable to download the latest software build. Otherwise, the device may not work properly.

a printer

How to install printer driver on Windows 7? To bring the idea to life, you must use one of the previously given instructions. If we consider the process in more detail, we will have to slightly change the proposed steps.

Installing the printer driver, as well as connecting the corresponding equipment, is as follows:

1. Install the printer in a convenient location for the user.
2. Connect all available wires to the switched off device. One of them is connected to the network, the other is connected to the computer.
3. Turn on PC and printer.
4. Insert the driver disk into the computer. Or run the appropriate installation file.
5. Install the driver following the instructions in the software installation wizard.

A little bit of waiting - and the process is completed in Windows 7. "Printer driver installed successfully" - this is the message the user will see. If something goes wrong, the equipment simply will not work.