What are “device drivers” and how do they affect the performance of PCs?
Although many users leverage mobile devices that plug into their computer, they may not understand how these endpoints impact PC performance. Each time your printer, scanner, camera or other external device is plugged in, it needs an avenue through which it can communicate with the computer. These avenues are known as device drivers, and they are small-scale software programs that serve as translators between the external hardware and the PC itself.
Without these drivers, outside hardware components would be unable to connect to the operating system. However, they can negatively impact PC performance if they are allowed to become out-of-date.
Outdated drivers not only can impact PC performance, but the overall stability of the system as well. As device drivers become old and obsolete, they cause a number of computer functionality symptoms, including system freezes, malfunctioning devices —even a system crash.
Compounding the issue, many users have more device drivers on their computer than they realize. Any external component requires a driver: from your Wi-Fi router to your mouse and keyboard. As operating systems receive updates and upgrades, drivers often need to be updated too so they can stay compatible. Drivers are also updated to correct glitches in the drivers themselves and/or to patch discovered security issues.
Addressing outdated drivers
It’s time to steer clear of those hardware hangups with iolo technologies’ Designated Drivers, found exclusively in System Mechanic and System Mechanic Pro.
This solution is the best method for taking care of outdated device drivers. The Designated Drivers tool goes looking for critical driver updates and installs them on your PC with the click of a button. Instead of having to wade through the updating process manually, let Designated Drivers ensure many of the drivers on your computer – from your mouse and keyboard to your Wi-Fi router and printer – are current.
