How to Install DVD Drivers

DVD drives and DVD-RW drives have largely replaced CD drives as the primary disk drive device installed in computers. Not only do DVD drives allow for the playback of DVD movies, but the larger disk capacity of DVDs allows DVD-write drives to store data much more efficiently than was possible with CDs or floppy disks. When a DVD drive is installed on a computer, software drivers must also be installed to tell the computer how to use the device.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Locate drivers for your DVD drive. The website of your DVD drive's manufacturer should host downloads for drivers, and your computer manufacturer may also have downloadable drivers. You drive or computer also likely came with a driver CD that you can use to install drivers.

2. Run the driver auto installer. A driver install file will likely be named install.exe or setup.exe. Double-clicking the install file will being an automatic installation process in which you may have to click next several times and choose some setup options.

3. Restart your computer once the driver installation is complete.

4. Put a DVD movie in the drive and attempt to play it. If the movie plays, you know the drivers are installed.

5. Run the automatic driver update from time to time. To look for automatic driver updates, open the device manager under the control panel and locate your DVD drive under the device list. Right-click on it, and select properties, then click the driver tab. There should be a button called "update driver" that will allow your computer to automatically search for new updates.

Tips & Warnings

• Keeping drivers up to date on all devices can keep your computer running as fast as possible. DVD drivers are usually less critical to update for everyday use than drivers for network adapters, sound cards and video cards. Anytime you install a new driver, you should restart your PC.

Resources

• Basic info on driver updating