Here's how you can update your wireless (WiFi) driver on your PC running Windows 7, 8, 8.1 and 10: You should get a screen like the one
below:
netsh wlan show drivers
- If the driver is more than one year old, we suggest you update it. Copy the driver name from the command prompt screen and do a Google search.
- Download the latest available driver for your wireless (WiFi) adapter from the manufacturer's website. In the example above, go to the Download Center for Intel and choose the driver for the Windows version you are running. If you're unsure of what version you're running, just check the "System type" information in the System properties screen (Win key + Break). (We suggest downloading the file to your Desktop).
- Install the driver by running the installer. If the driver doesn't have an installer:
- Open the Device Manager (You can do this by pressing the Windows but and typing it
out)
- Right click on your wireless adapter and choose Update Driver Software.
- Choose the option to Browse and locate the drivers you downloaded. Windows will then install the drivers.
- Open the Device Manager (You can do this by pressing the Windows but and typing it
out)
- Reboot your PC after installing the updated drivers.
Notes
Here are the driver update websites for some frequently used wireless (WiFi) cards:
- Intel: //downloadcenter.intel.com/product/59485/Wireless-Networking
- Qualcomm / Atheros: //www.ath-drivers.eu/atheros-wireless-drivers.html
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Last updated on January 1, 2021
On computers, a device driver is a package with instructions that allows (in this case) Windows 10 to communicate and control a particular piece of hardware (such as graphics card, printers, Bluetooth and network adapters).
Understanding the driver version currently installed on your computer can be useful information to determine if an update is needed, as manufacturers usually release driver updates multiple times a year to improve performance and stability, add new features, and fix issues.
In this Windows 10 guide, we walk you through the steps to check the version of a device driver using Device Manager and PowerShell.
- How to determine driver version using Device Manager
- How to determine driver version using PowerShell
How to determine driver version using Device Manager
To determine the driver version for a particular piece of hardware with Device Manager, use these steps:
- Open Start.
- Search for Device Manager and click the top result to open the experience.
- Expand the branch for the device that you want to check the driver version.
- Right-click the device and select the Properties option.
- Click the Driver tab.
- Check the installed driver version of the device.
Once you complete these steps, you'll know the current driver version, which you can check against the version number available on your manufacturer support website to determine if Windows 10 is using the most up-to-date release.
Alongside the driver version, using the "Driver" tab, you can also find out other useful information, such as the date when the current version of the driver was installed, and if the driver has been properly signed.
How to determine driver version using PowerShell
If you want to check the driver version for one or more devices, you can also use this PowerShell command:
- Open Start.
- Search for PowerShell, right-click the top result, and select Run as administrator.
- Type the following command to list the drivers installed on your computer and press Enter:Get-WmiObject Win32_PnPSignedDriver| select DeviceName, Manufacturer, DriverVersion
- The version of the drivers will be displayed in third column on the right.
After completing the steps, the command will display all the device drivers currently installed on your system alphabetically with their manufacturer names and versions.
More Windows 10 resources
For more helpful articles, coverage, and answers to common questions about Windows 10, visit the following resources:
- Windows 10 on Windows Central – All you need to know
- Windows 10 help, tips, and tricks
- Windows 10 forums on Windows Central
Mauro Huculak is technical writer for WindowsCentral.com. His primary focus is to write comprehensive how-tos to help users get the most out of Windows 10 and its many related technologies. He has an IT background with professional certifications from Microsoft, Cisco, and CompTIA, and he's a recognized member of the Microsoft MVP community.