The network adapter connects the device to the network. This term was originally popularized by Ethernet settings for PCs, but it was also applied to network USB and other types of connections to gain access to the Internet.
Most modern devices come with a NIC or network card that is installed on the motherboard. This applies not only to wired gadgets, such as desktop and laptop computers, but also to tablets, cell phones.
How to update network drivers on Windows 7? This question is relevant for many users. Before answering it, we explain that the network card is different in that it is an additional device that provides wireless or wired capabilities in equipment that previously did not support it. For example, a desktop computer may use such an adapter to interact with Wi-Fi.
As you can see, the process of updating network drivers is very popular. In our article we will consider in more detail how this is implemented in practice.
Adapter types
There are many different types of devices. Considering the question of how to update network drivers on Windows 7, it is important to navigate in each of them. This is necessary in order to make it easier to select the necessary software.
Microsoft Windows users can determine the network card installed on their computer by following these steps:
- Click the Start button, and then click Programs.
- Click “Accessories”, then the “System Tools” folder.
- Select the System Information tab.
- In the System Information window, click the + icon next to the components in the left navigation pane.
- Click “+” next to “Network” and highlight “Adapter”. In the right part of the window you should see full information about the network card.
Microsoft sometimes installs a different but compatible driver for some network cards. As a result, it may not match the exact manufacturer or model installed on your computer. A similar problem is often observed on laptops. In this case, when considering how to update network drivers on Windows 7, you should contact the device manufacturer and see the full name of the adapter. Then the installation process is significantly simplified.
Step-by-step upgrade steps
Now you need to go directly to learning how to update network drivers on Windows 7. Users should take their time and perform each action exactly as described.
Windows and other operating systems support both wired and wireless network adapters through software called a device driver. They are necessary for software to interact with network equipment.
Some of them automatically when you first connect and start the adapter. However, updating network drivers for Windows 7 may be required for various reasons. The advantage is that the procedure will always be the same.
For example, you may need to install drivers in Windows 7 for a piece of equipment. This is necessary in such situations:
- You fix the problem with the device.
- The driver is not installed automatically during boot of the operating system.
- The update includes new features.
The walkthrough described below is essential for users to complete all the steps correctly. Installing files can be a little complicated, so the recommended steps should help clarify any confusion that users may encounter when reading the practical guide. Updating network drivers for Windows 7 should take less than 15 minutes for most types of hardware. However, if errors occur, the process may stretch indefinitely.
Download the latest version of the program
The first thing you need to do is download the latest network driver for Windows 7 for your device from the hardware manufacturer’s website. It is important to download it directly from this source to be sure that the product is tested and the last of the possible archives.
You need to download a 32-bit or 64-bit driver that matches the type of Windows 7 installed. If you doubt the product, you can check its capacity in the computer properties. It is indicated immediately after the version of the operating system.
Many of today's available network drivers for Windows 7 are packaged for unattended installation. This means that all you have to do is run the downloaded file. Data will be updated automatically. The instructions on the manufacturer’s website should indicate whether the drivers you are downloading are configured. If so, then there is no reason to continue the installation process. Just run the program and follow the instructions. If you can’t automatically update the program, proceed to the steps described below.
Information Retrieval
Updating the driver for the Windows 7 network adapter starts with unpacking the archives. It is worth noting that with manual data integration, this action is mandatory. When you install the driver for the hardware on your computer, you actually download a compressed file that contains one or more current folders, as well as various other supporting data necessary for the program to work in Windows 7.
Before you can update drivers for a specific piece of equipment, you must extract the data from the archive.
Windows 7 has built-in compression / decompression software, but experts advise using a special program such as the free 7-Zip. This is recommended for the reason that it supports many more formats than Windows 7. There are many free programs for extracting files if the one presented in the recommendations does not suit the reader.
Regardless of the program you are using, you can right-click on the downloaded file. A list appears on the screen. You need to select "Extract files to folder." To extract files, be sure to create a new folder and make sure that it is located in a place that can be quickly found on your computer.
"Device Manager"
The Windows 7 network driver is updated through system applications. There is no need to download third-party software for this method. When the driver files are extracted and ready for use, you need to open the "Device Manager". It is on the control panel in Windows 7.
With its help, equipment is managed in this operating system, including updating drivers. There is no other way to replace files. Developers deliberately limit this feature to prevent accidental damage to device system data.
Hardware device
Installing the Windows 7 network driver can be complicated by the fact that immediately finding the right type of device will be problematic. Navigate through their categories using the ">" icon. Under each will be one or more devices. The lists provided give a full description. If you already know the brand of the network card, finding it in this tab is not difficult.
Device Properties
It is worth noting that the installation of the Windows 7 network driver without the Internet is carried out in full. No need to connect to global resources to upload information. The Internet is needed only at the beginning to download the archive.
After finding the equipment for which you want to update the driver, right-click its name or icon, then select "Properties".
Make sure you right-click on the actual device record, and not on the category in which it is located. Otherwise, a new window will appear with a description of the entire group of installed files.
Software Update Wizard
Next, the installation of the driver for the network adapter Windows 7 is carried out in semi-automatic mode. This significantly reduces the upload time of all data. Launch the software update wizard by first clicking on the “Driver” tab, and then on the “Update Driver” button. The advantages of the operating systems of the Windows family are that most of the tasks are performed according to a predefined algorithm. That is, tasks are simplified for the user, since most processes are performed automatically.
Manual selection setting
Following the prompts described on the loading screen, you need to perform several actions. Installation of drivers for the Windows 7 network card will be carried out according to the developed algorithm. Remember, you cannot run a previously downloaded file to integrate new data.
You need to clearly determine how you plan to look for driver software.
Click View My Computer for software. This option will allow you to manually select the driver that you want to install (the one you downloaded and unpacked earlier in the folder). It is important to remember the place where it was previously placed. If access to the folder is lost, you can use the quick search system.
Highlighting the necessary items
The network driver for Windows 7 64 bit should be stored in a separate file. When choosing, it is important to pay special attention to this. On the next screen, where the system prompts you to find the appropriate software on your computer, click "Let me choose from the list of device drivers on my computer."
In some cases, it would be enough to just go to the location of the extracted folder. However, the above option gives you more control over situations where several drivers are available in the extracted folder. If you select the wrong format or file type, the system will notify the user of the error.
Install from disk
The driver for the Windows 7 network adapter after archiving contains more than 50 files. Therefore, it is important to choose a shared folder where all this data is located. You do not need to select a network adapter here. One or more entries in this field does not represent the actual device that you installed, but only the available drivers. They already exist in Windows 7 for this particular hardware component.
By clicking “Install from disk”, you skip this process of selecting existing drivers and tell Windows 7 that you have other (better) ones that you want to install. While the system does not know about them.
The name of this screen will differ depending on the type of equipment for which you are updating drivers. It is important to know the brand and type of network adapter in order to determine the appropriate entry. Immediately after selecting the appropriate copy, the installation will continue.
Folder with previously extracted files
The driver for the Windows 7 network card can go in several versions at once. This allows you to select the necessary data that is most suitable for a specific version of the operating system.
In the “Find File” window, use the “View To:” drop-down list to navigate to the folder with the extracted driver files created earlier.
There may be several other folders in it, so be sure to go to the one that is required for Windows 7 (if it exists). Some downloads will also include both 32-bit and 64-bit versions of the driver with the corresponding file formats in each individual file that is saved.
Select an .inf file in a folder
Click any INF file displayed in the list. Next, click the "Open" button. The Driver Update Wizard reads information from all INF files in this folder.
They are the only ones that the device manager accepts for information on how to configure them. Although you may know that there are all kinds of files in the folder you have selected, only this extension can provide access to them and configure each entry individually.
Starting the driver installation process for Windows 7
After selecting the appropriate file, the operating system installer starts. It is important to understand that the speed of unpacking all the software directly depends on the overall performance of the personal computer or laptop. It is important not to interrupt the entire installation process until it is completed.
Wait for the driver software update wizard to complete the installation process. Remember that Windows 7 uses the information contained in the .inf files you selected earlier to make the appropriate registry entries for your hardware.
Provided that the update process is complete, you will see the message "Windows has successfully updated your driver software."
Click Close. This is necessary to complete the installation process.
After that, you need to restart the computer and make sure that your equipment works correctly with the new drivers.
Not all updates require a reboot of your computer. Even if you do not have a request for this action, you should still complete this step.
The driver update process includes changes to the Windows registry and other important areas of your computer. Restarting is a good way to confirm that the process you performed did not adversely affect some other areas of Windows.
Checking device status for errors
After entering the system, you need to check its status. To do this, go to the "Device Manager". If you see the inscription “This device is working correctly”, then all the actions were performed correctly.
If you received an error code that you didn’t have before the update, there might be a problem while uploading files. In this case, you should immediately roll back the new driver.
Equipment check
The whole process has not yet been completed. To ensure that the computer functions properly, you must check the hardware device and make sure that it is working correctly. To do this, you need to configure your Internet connection and test it. With the correct execution of each step described above, the connection will appear immediately, and there will be no errors.
Alternative way
You can use a simpler and faster way to update the network driver. To do this, you need to use specialized software that exists for downloading and editing system files of equipment.
However, many such programs are paid. Before downloading this software, you need to clarify the type of license. Its main advantage is that the programs work only with official driver developers.
This makes it possible to obtain specific system files without adware and malware, as is the case when downloading archives using unverified sources. In addition, only current versions are available that allow you to update the drivers for your Windows 7 network adapter in minutes.