Driver Booster for Windows 10: Install, Scan and Update Drivers

Windows 10 is still installed on a huge number of PCs, and many of them run drivers that have not been touched since the day the computer was set up. Driver Booster gives Windows 10 users a simple way to find those stale drivers and replace them with current versions. This guide walks through the whole process, from the download to your first round of updates.

Why Windows 10 PCs need driver attention

Windows Update installs some drivers automatically, but it tends to favour stable, older versions and does not cover every device. Graphics cards, audio chips, Wi-Fi adapters and laptop-specific hardware often have newer drivers available from the manufacturer than the ones Windows supplies. Over time that gap grows, especially on machines that have been through several Windows 10 feature updates.

Signs that drivers may be behind include games that crash after a Windows update, Bluetooth devices that disconnect, missing audio after sleep, or a display stuck at the wrong resolution.

Step 1: Download Driver Booster for Windows 10

Driver Booster is published by IObit. Use the download section on our homepage, which links straight to IObit's download center. There is one installer for both the free and PRO editions, and it works on 32-bit, 64-bit and ARM-based Windows 10 systems.

Step 2: Install it carefully

1. Open the downloaded .exe file and approve the User Account Control prompt.
2. Pick your language and, if you like, a custom install folder.
3. Read every screen. If an optional offer for another program appears, untick it unless you actually want it.
4. Finish setup and launch Driver Booster.

The full checklist, with a few extra tips, is in the installation section of our homepage.

Step 3: Run your first scan

Click the large Scan button. Driver Booster identifies the hardware in your PC and compares each installed driver against its database. Within a minute or two you will see a list grouped into drivers that are outdated, drivers that are up to date, and sometimes game components that are missing.

Reading the results

Each entry shows the device name, the installed driver date or version, and the version on offer. Pay attention to the device category. Display, audio, network and chipset drivers usually matter most; obscure system devices often work fine on older drivers.

Step 4: Choose which drivers to update

You can click Update Now to install everything, but on Windows 10 a slightly more careful approach pays off:

• Start with the device causing problems. If audio is broken, update only the audio driver first.
• Update graphics drivers on their own. They are large and the most likely to require a restart.
• Leave working niche devices alone. An old card reader that works perfectly does not need a new driver.

Make sure the option to create a system restore point is enabled before installing. Our backup and restore guide explains how to undo a bad update.

Step 5: Restart when prompted

Some drivers load only at boot. If Driver Booster or the driver installer asks for a restart, do it before judging whether the update helped.

Building a simple routine

You do not need to scan daily. For most Windows 10 PCs, a check once a month, after big Windows feature updates, and before installing a major new game is plenty. If you prefer it to happen automatically, that is one of the conveniences of Driver Booster PRO.

Quick answers

Is Driver Booster free on Windows 10?

Yes. The free edition scans and installs driver updates. PRO adds extras such as automatic backups and offline updating.

Will it replace Windows Update?

No. Keep Windows Update running for security patches. Driver Booster complements it by covering drivers Windows Update misses or supplies in older versions.