How to Check Driver Version
In today’s digital age, ensuring that your computer’s drivers are up-to-date is crucial for optimal performance and system stability. Outdated drivers can lead to various issues, such as system crashes, hardware malfunctions, and poor performance. To maintain a smooth-running computer, it’s essential to know how to check driver versions. This article will guide you through the process of verifying driver versions on both Windows and macOS operating systems.
Checking Driver Version on Windows
1. Using Device Manager:
– Open the Start menu and type “Device Manager” in the search bar.
– Click on “Device Manager” from the search results to open the utility.
– Expand the category of the hardware device whose driver you want to check (e.g., Display adapters, Sound, video and game controllers).
– Right-click on the device and select “Properties.”
– Go to the “Driver” tab and click on “Driver Details.”
– Look for the “Driver Version” field to see the current version of the driver.
2. Using System Information:
– Press the “Windows” key and type “System Information” in the search bar.
– Click on “System Information” from the search results to open the utility.
– Scroll down to the “System Summary” section and look for the “BIOS Version/Date” and “Driver Version” fields. Note that this method only provides a general idea of the driver version, not the specific driver for a particular hardware device.
3. Using Manufacturer’s Website:
– Visit the official website of the hardware manufacturer.
– Navigate to the support or downloads section.
– Enter your device’s model number to find the available drivers.
– Check the version number of the latest driver available for your device.
Checking Driver Version on macOS
1. Using System Report:
– Click on the Apple menu in the top-left corner of the screen.
– Select “About This Mac.”
– Click on “System Report” in the sidebar.
– Navigate to the “Software” section and look for the “System Software Overview” and “Network” tabs to find information about the macOS version and network drivers, respectively.
2. Using the Terminal:
– Press the “Command” and “Space” keys to open Spotlight.
– Type “Terminal” and press “Enter” to open the Terminal application.
– Use the following command to list the current driver versions:
“`
sudo kextstat
“`
– Look for the driver names and their corresponding versions in the output.
In conclusion, checking driver versions is an essential task for maintaining a healthy computer system. By using the methods outlined in this article, you can ensure that your drivers are up-to-date and optimize your computer’s performance.
