If you've lost your driver discs, you're unable to find drivers on the manufacturer's web site or Windows Update can't configure your hardware, use this tool to.
-->Windows supports a platform for installing system and device firmware updates via driver packages that are processed by using the UEFI UpdateCapsule function. This platform provides a consistent, reliable firmware update experience, and it improves the discoverability of important system firmware updates for end-users.
The UEFI firmware update platform guidance is intended for SoC vendors and OEMs who are building hardware platforms that run Windows. The UEFI firmware update platform is supported by the following operating system versions:
- Windows 8
- Windows 8.1
- Windows 10 for desktop editions (Home, Pro, Enterprise, and Education)
- Windows 10 Mobile
UEFI firmware update support in Windows 10
All systems that run Windows 10 for desktop editions should implement UEFI firmware updates by following the UpdateCapsule-based update process described in this section of the documentation.
Devices that run Windows 10 Mobile can follow the UpdateCapsule-based process used for Windows 10 Desktop. These devices can also follow the binary update process, which performs a binary update to the storage partition which contains the UEFI firmware.
Microsoft strongly recommends that devices running Windows 10 Mobile should update UEFI firmware by using the binary update process. Devices that run Windows 10 Mobile can use the UpdateCapsule-based process only in scenarios where the binary update process cannot be used. For example, if the partition layout of the device prevents the UEFI firmware from being updated by using a binary update package.
For more information about .spkg packages for Windows 10 Mobile, see Creating packages and Update.
Overview of the UEFI firmware update platform
There are two types of firmware that can be serviced via Windows: system firmware and device firmware. System firmware is responsible for providing critical boot and runtime services to the system as a whole, and device firmware is associated with a particular device integrated into a system. Such device firmware typically works together with a device driver, allowing the OS to expose the device to OS-level services and applications.
System firmware updates
System firmware updates for UEFI-based systems will be deployed as device driver packages (INFs). Windows will use information provided by the platform to ensure that the update package only applies to appropriate systems. A firmware update package contains a binary file containing the system firmware image. After the firmware update package is on the end-user’s system, Windows will use the UEFI UpdateCapsule function to hand-off the firmware payload to the platform firmware for processing.
Deploying the update as a driver package allows the firmware update process to align with many existing deployment and servicing tools, and ensures simple update package authoring for hardware vendors.
Note The fact that the firmware update is delivered as a driver package does not mean that the update is written as an actual driver. The driver package will contain an INF file and a binary file containing the system or device firmware image.
Device firmware updates
For the purposes of updating device firmware, the device firmware can be assigned to one of these two categories:
- UEFI-updatable device firmware.This device firmware can be updated using a device driver package leveraging the same mechanism as system firmware. A device firmware update is distributed as a firmware update package. After the firmware update package is on the end-user’s system, Windows will use the UEFI UpdateCapsule function to hand-off the device firmware payload to the platform firmware for processing. This process is virtually identical to how Windows hands off system firmware update payload, and is discussed below.It is recommended that device firmware be updated using a discrete firmware update driver package, but device firmware may also be updated with system firmware as part of a single firmware update driver package.Note UEFI should not be used to update peripheral devices. UEFI requires devices to be present during reboot to apply a firmware update which cannot be guaranteed with (external, removable) peripheral devices.
- Driver-updatable device firmware.This device firmware can be updated by the device driver during the normal Windows OS runtime. Updating device firmware using normal Windows OS drivers is not covered by this paper.
System requirements for Windows firmware updates
In order for a system to be compatible with the Windows firmware updating mechanism, it must meet the following requirements:
- The system must implement UpdateCapsule and QueryCapsuleCapabilities as defined by section 7.5.3 of the UEFI specification.UpdateCapsule is used to pass the firmware update payload between Windows and the platform firmware.
- Platform firmware must support firmware updates initiated by Windows.System firmware, and some classes of device firmware, must be updatable using this process. Firmware code recognizes a firmware update payload passed to UpdateCapsule and initiates the update process. The implementation is owned by the partner.
- Must specify a Firmware Resource in the EFI System Resource Table (ESRT)The Firmware Resource allows Windows to surface a device instance with a Hardware ID, which will be used to target the system or device firmware update to appropriate systems and devices. It also describes the current firmware version and provides status for previous updates.There exists a single entry for system firmware updates. All devices with updateable firmware must have a resource specified in the ESRT, unless a device’s firmware is updated as part of a system firmware update.For more information, see ESRT table definition.
In this section
Technical Level : Intermediate
Summary
Windows 10 continues the tradition of hardware compatibility by providing support for a vast collection of devices available within the Windows ecosystem. Hardware detection in particular is an important part of the out of the box experience. Driver software which makes this happen, allows your hardware to function by communicating with the operating system. In this article, we take a look at installing and updating drivers in Windows 10.
Summary
Windows 10 continues the tradition of hardware compatibility by providing support for a vast collection of devices available within the Windows ecosystem. Hardware detection in particular is an important part of the out of the box experience. Driver software which makes this happen, allows your hardware to function by communicating with the operating system. In this article, we take a look at installing and updating drivers in Windows 10.
Details
I recently installed Windows 10 on an HP Elitebook to see how well the most recent Windows 10 build performs. The Elitebook is a fairly recent model notebook which includes an assortment of hardware technologies. Out of the box though I did not get a complete system, for instance the Intel HD Graphics 3000 was not detected and I was instead limited to the Microsoft Basic Display Adapter.
Apart from this, I had wi-fi ready, which mean, I could connect to the Internet right away.
Installing drivers through Windows Update
Windows Update is the premier starting point to resolve most common driver issues you might experience immediately after installing Windows 10.
Simply launch it from Start > Settings > Update and Recovery and click Check for Updates
or
Press Windows key + R
Type: ms-settings:windowsupdate
Hit Enter
Click Check for updates (make sure you have an active Internet connection).
Immediately, Windows Update will detect your system configuration and download all the appropriate drivers for your system. As you can see in the above screenshot, my Intel HD 3000 Graphics was installed automatically. I did not even have to reboot the system. In addition to other hardware components were also detected and installed which includes my LAN adapter and card reader.
Important Drivers you should get after installing Windows 10.
When you perform a new install or upgrade, you should download the latest software drivers from the manufacturers website for your computer model. Important drivers include: Chipset, Video, Audio and Network (Ethernet/Wireless). For laptops, make sure you download the latest Touch Pad drivers. There are other drivers you will probably need, but you can often download these through Windows Update after have a working Internet connection setup.
How to find and download drivers from the manufacturers website:
Drivers can normally be found in the Support section from the manufacturers website where you will find a Software and Drivers sub-section. The method to find it will vary depending on the brand. You can go to your favorite search engine then enter the following query 'model and make drivers download' example: 'hp 8460p drivers download'. This will often provide a direct link.
Normally, you might not find native Windows 10 drivers. If this is the case, use the latest Windows drivers available for your model. So if they only have Windows 7 drivers, try using those. Make sure you download the right drivers for your architecture (32 or 64 bit).
Proceed to download the appropriate drivers after selecting your version of Windows. The manufacturer might list two versions of the driver, always choose the latest.
Again, the procedures will vary, but as long as you can find the drivers and download section, normally available within Support, you should be able to get to the drivers. If you are reading this before upgrading, try having the essential drivers in advance.
Install drivers using Device Manager
If your driver was not detected or installed by Windows Update, you can try installing the driver manually if you have a compatible version. Windows 10 and previous versions of Windows such as Windows 7 share the same driver model, so it should work.
Press Windows key + X
Click Device Manager
Once device manager is open, select the device, right click it and click Update Driver Software
This will launch the update driver software wizard, which presents two options.
- Search automatically for updated driver software - its possible Windows might have the driver software if you have not checked it yet, if its taking too long, then the next option is usually best.
- Browse my computer for driver software - if there is a compatible driver and you already have the driver files, then all you need to do is point to it and Windows automatically install it for you.
Here I have selected to use an existing driver, browse to where the driver is located on your computer, whether that is a partition, network share, thumbdrvie or install disc. Make sure the option to Include subfolders is checked.
Click Next and wait while the wizard completes the installation.
Using Compatibility Mode to Resolve Driver problems
If both Windows Update and driver update prove unsuccessful, the next option is Troubleshoot Compatibility. Troubleshoot Compatibility provides a simple way to make older drivers work under modern versions of Windows by making the driver believe it is being installed on a supported version of Windows.
The first thing you need to do is point where the setup files are located. If you are installing from a thumb drive or CD/DVD. Launch File Explorer (Windows key + E) and open the location where the setup files are stored.
Right click the setup file for the program, this can be designated as setup.exe or something similar. Click Troubleshoot Compatibility
This will launch the Program Compatibility Troubleshooter wizard which will check for issues.
Select the option “Troubleshoot program”
Depending on the problems you are experiencing when attempting to install or use the software, check off the problems. In my case:
- ‘The program worked in earlier versions of Windows but won’t install or run now’
- The program requires additional permissions.
Click Next
Select a version of Windows the program is known to work in. I notice the program works great in Windows Vista (with Service Pack 2), so I will select that option. Click Next
Proceed to run the through the programs setup routine by clicking Test the program….
Follow the on screen instructions to install the program as you normally would.
If all is successful, click the option at the end of the wizard ‘Yes, save these settings for this program’
Wait while your settings for the program are saved.
Click Close.
If you have a driver such as your video card automatically installing upon completion of installation and checking for Windows Update, try disabling automatic driver installation using the instructions in the following thread:
Go to the hardware developers website, download the appropriate driver for your model then install in compatibility mode using the instructions above.
How to install your printer:
Resources: