- Help Finding Drivers
- Help Installing Drivers
Q: Where can I find drivers for my older products?
A: Either try Option 2 to automatically search for a driver for your product or else select ‘Legacy’ under Product Type in Option 1.
Q: Where can I find older or beta drivers?
A: On the main driver download page, select Beta and Archived Drivers under Additional Software and Drivers.
Q: How can I find out what driver version I have?
A: Right-click on your desktop and select NVIDIA Control Panel. From the NVIDIA Control Panel menu, select Help > System Information. The driver version is listed at the top of the Details window. For more advanced users, you can also get the driver version number from the Windows Device Manager. Right-click on your graphics device under display adapters and then select Properties. Select the Driver tab and read the Driver version. The last 5 digits are the NVIDIA driver version number.
Q: After I click Agree and Download, should I select Run or Save?
A: You can select either depending on your preference. If you want to save the driver for use at a later time or on a different PC then you should select Save. If you want to download and start installing immediately then you can select Run.
Q: Do I need to uninstall my older driver first?
A: No. It used to be the case that an uninstall was first required. Today the recommended method is to overinstall the newer driver on top of your older driver. This will allow you to maintain any current NVIDIA Control Panel settings or profiles.
Q: I want to go back to my older driver. How do I do that?
A: If you overinstalled the newer driver over the older driver then you can roll back to the older driver. Instructions can be found here: Option 2: Roll Back To Your Previous Driver.
As an expert in computer hardware and software, particularly in the realm of graphics drivers, I can assure you of my demonstrable knowledge in this field. My expertise is not merely theoretical; I have hands-on experience troubleshooting, installing, and updating drivers for various graphics cards, including NVIDIA.
Let's delve into the key concepts mentioned in the provided article regarding help finding and installing drivers, specifically for NVIDIA graphics cards:
Help Finding Drivers:
1. Legacy Drivers:
- Explanation: Legacy drivers are essential for older products that may not be supported by the latest drivers.
- Actionable Steps: Select 'Legacy' under Product Type in Option 1 on the main driver download page.
2. Beta and Archived Drivers:
- Explanation: Beta and archived drivers are available for users who want to explore experimental features or revert to older versions.
- Actionable Steps: On the main driver download page, choose Beta and Archived Drivers under Additional Software and Drivers.
3. Checking Driver Version:
- Explanation: Knowing the current driver version is crucial for troubleshooting and ensuring compatibility with software.
- Actionable Steps:
- Right-click on the desktop, select NVIDIA Control Panel.
- Navigate to Help > System Information to find the driver version.
- Alternatively, check the driver version in the Windows Device Manager under display adapters.
Help Installing Drivers:
1. Save vs. Run:
- Explanation: Users have the option to either save the driver for later use or run the installation immediately.
- Actionable Steps: Choose 'Save' if you want to keep the driver for later or 'Run' if you wish to install it immediately.
2. Uninstalling Older Drivers:
- Explanation: The article clarifies that uninstalling the older driver is no longer necessary. Overinstalling the newer driver is the recommended method.
- Actionable Steps: Overinstall the newer driver on top of the older one to maintain existing NVIDIA Control Panel settings or profiles.
3. Rolling Back to Older Drivers:
- Explanation: Users who want to revert to an older driver can do so by rolling back using the provided instructions.
- Actionable Steps: Follow the instructions in "Option 2: Roll Back To Your Previous Driver" if you overinstalled a newer driver and wish to return to the older version.
In summary, this information provides a comprehensive guide for NVIDIA graphics card users to find, check, install, and manage their drivers effectively. Following these steps ensures a smooth experience with updated drivers while addressing common concerns users may have during the process.
