How do I update win 7 drivers !  

If you want updated drivers, visit the hardware manufacturer's website and check for updated drivers. Do not install any software that claims to find and install drivers for you.

Punked Boyz,

You have received some excellent advice.

Would you please fill out your system specs for us?

Update your SevenForums System Specs
User CP (located on the top menu bar) |
Your Profile | Edit System Spec (left-hand column)

To gather info, use Speccy (my favorite) or SIW or System Info

Add the word laptop or desktop or netbook to the
“system manufacturer” block, for example,
Toshiba Satellite L305D notebook.

Provide full windows version info, for example:
MS Windows 7 Ultimate SP1 64-bit

Use the “Other Info” block for Optical Reader,
Mouse, touchpad, wifi adapter, speakers, monitor, etc

Scroll down and click on SAVE CHANGES.
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I'm going to summarize the advice you have received:
1. Let Microsoft update your drivers.
2. Visit the manufacturer's website to see if they have a later driver that hasn't made it thru the Microsoft certification process yet. Getting a driver blessed by Microsoft takes time and is costly.
3. Do NOT use any of those super-duper update your driver programs. They cause more harm than good. One that comes to mind is Driver Sweeper. Many BSODs are the result of drivers installed by that program.

Also, use this procedure to make sure that you've told Windows to update everything:

ASSURE THAT YOU RECEIVE ALL UPDATES
WIN | type WINDOWS UPDATE | ENTER |
Change settings (left-hand column) |
checkmark all four of the boxes | OK button

Approve any dialog boxes presented. Let Windows install any update features.

WIN is the key with the Microsoft flag on top.
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Do you have a specific problem or was this a general curiosity question?

thanks for the specs.

Would you please use this porcedure to get your Win 7 up-to-date 100%.

The only update you might want to "hide" is the new bing desktop update. Does no harm as you can disable same.

UPDATING YOUR WIN 7
ASSURE THAT YOU RECEIVE ALL UPDATES
WIN | type WINDOWS UPDATE | ENTER |
Change settings (left-hand column) |
checkmark all four of the boxes | OK button

Approve any dialog boxes presented. Let Windows install any update features.

WIN is the key with the Microsoft flag on top.

INSTALL CRITICAL UPDATES
Check for Updates (left-hand column)
Install ALL critical updates.
Restart your computer (even if not prompted)

Repeat this procedure until there are no more critical updates.

DO NOT TRUST the “Windows is up to date” in center of dialog. until you see that TWICE IN A ROW!

INSTALL IMPORTANT UPDATES
Use the “critical update” procedure until all important updates are installed.

INSTALL OPTIONAL UPDATES
Use the “critical update” procedure until all optional updates are installed.

Under Optional updates you will be presented with a list of about 34 language updates.
You can hide those updates so that aren't continually notified of those updates. When you click on 34 optional updates are available, then you
a) highlight all of the language updates,
b) right-click anywhere in the highlighted list.
c) click on Hide Updates,
d) OK button.


UPDATE GOLDEN RULES
Install ALL, yes, ALL updates.
This is Win 7 and not Vista or XP (eXPired).

UPDATE IS HUNG –TAKING FOREVER
Hung is very doubtful unless you interrupted updates.

CTRL + SHIFT + ESC key combo will pop-up the Task Manager.
Lo and behold, Windows Update is still running!

You hold down the CTRL and SHIFT keys.
While holding them down, tap the ESC key once.
==================================================

thanks

There is sometimes a long delay before Windows makes an update available, especially with devices such as video cards and network cards. IMHO, chipset, video, and NIC drivers are best downloaded from the manufacturer. They tend to be updated very often (well, not necessarily chipset drivers), which means you will not see them come across Windows Update. I've seen a Windows update show a new version for AMD Catalyst that is one or two releases behind the current version available directly from AMD.

For my money, I always grab the drivers from the manufacturer. I highly recommend gamers and HTPC users do the same, because both of those groups like updates much faster than Windows can give, both for speed and stability - and in the case of HTPC users, for getting closer to that ever elusive 23.976 frame rate!