Installing drivers for older devices on Win10/Win11

This page provides instructions for installing drivers for older devices (e.g. printers) in Windows 10 and Windows 11.

For example, if you want to use an older device, the manufacturer may no longer provide drivers for it.

If so, Windows Update may be able to find a suitable driver for your device.

Steps to install the driver for an old printer

1. First, connect the printer to your PC and turn it on.

2. At the bottom of the screenStart buttonRight-click > Device Manager.

3. Once Device Manager opens, open "Printers", right-click an item inside (a mark such as "?" may be displayed), and click "Update Driver".

4. Click Search automatically for drivers.

If the driver is found, it will be installed automatically. Follow the instructions on the screen to install it. (You may need to restart your computer.)

5. If the driver is not found, click "Search for updated drivers on Windows Update."

6. The driver may be listed here, but if not, click "Check for updates."

Please wait a while until the update check is complete.

7. Once the check is complete, any Windows updates or drivers found will be displayed, so please install them manually.

*The driver isWindows Update screenAfter checking for updates, it may be listed in the "Advanced options" section a little further down.

Once you open "Advanced Options," look to the right of "Optional Updates" under "Additional Options."

Make sure "Receive updates for other Microsoft products" is set to "On." If it is set to "Off," set it to "On" and then run "Check for updates" again.

It will say "Numbers Available," so if there is even one available, open it and update it.

If you have multiple, update them all.

For example, after a clean install on a PC, it is standard practice to install the chipset driver first.

Installing the chipset driver will ensure that other devices, such as graphics, sound, and storage, work properly.

What is a chipset driver? How does it improve your PC's performance? How to update and check it in Windows 11