DriverMax

CNET Editors' review

Your computer system's drivers tell your hardware and software what to do. Without up-to-date drivers, your system won't perform to its full potential and might even experience problems. Obsolete drivers can sometimes even leave vulnerabilities and security holes that have been fixed in updates that you don't have, and why? Because updating drivers is a nuisance falling somewhere between an oil change and a dentist's appointment, that's why; and it's worse still if you're the sort of user who depends on a PC yet has no earthly idea what goes on inside the box (and like it that way, thank you very much). So, get DriverMax from Innovative Solutions. This free cloud-based tool helps you download and install up-to-date drivers practically painlessly. You'll need to create a free user account to make DriverMax work.

DriverMax scanned our PC during setup and displayed our drivers in a compact view, with up-to-date drivers marked in green and those with available updates in red. The scan found eight available updates. We simply had to click Download to get the drivers, select More Options to view an information box with links to other drivers and options, or click a Help icon to access related information. The drivers all come from a variety of sites and often download and install in different ways, too, so the ability to view other available drivers and documentation can make a big difference.

When you download a driver in the free version of DriverMax, a Web page opens with information and a download link. The Pro upgrade downloads drivers directly within the DriverMax interface, but we don't have a problem with an intermediate step since "slow, steady, and careful" (and plenty of info) add up to trouble-free upgrades and smooth sailing from then on. Of course, you can also use DriverMax as a guide for updating drivers individually using their own programs (where available). DriverMax also backs up and restores your drivers (backup = good). DriverMax proved superior to similar driver maintenance tools we've tried, with a quality look and feel; we recommend it for users of all skill levels.

DriverMax - Backup and restore drivers - Download Video Previews:

Publisher's Description

More Products to Consider

  • SlimDrivers Free
    Update PC drivers automatically using cloud technology.
    Download

    Installed

    Smart Install
  • Advanced SystemCare
    Tune up and maintain your PC, clean registry easily.
    Download

    Installed

    Smart Install
  • Glary Utilities
    Fix, speed up, maintain, and protect your PC.
    Download

    Installed

    Smart Install
  • CCleaner
    Clean up junk files and invalid Registry entries.
    Download

    Installed

    Smart Install
  • WinRAR (32-bit)
    Take full control over RAR and ZIP archives, along with unpacki...
    Download

    Installed

    Smart Install
  • Sound Blaster Audig...
    Update your Windows 98/Me drivers for Sound Blaster Audigy.
    Download

    Installed

    Smart Install
  • MiniTool Partition ...
    Move, resize, copy, explore, and recover hard disk drive partit...
    Download

    Installed

    Smart Install
  • DriverHive
    Find and update out-of-date system drivers on your Windows PC.
    Download

    Installed

    Smart Install
  • DriverAgent
    Identify, locate, and update your computer drivers.
    Download

    Installed

    Smart Install
  • DriverUpdate
    Use cloud computing to find drivers and start installation.
    Download

    Installed

    Smart Install
  • WinRAR (64-bit)
    Take full control over RAR and ZIP archives, along with unpacki...
    Download

    Installed

    Smart Install
  • Wise Registry Clean...
    Find and fix incorrect or obsolete information in the Windows r...
    Download

    Installed

    Smart Install
  • Sound Blaster PCI12...
    Get the latest drivers for your Sound Blaster PCI128 sound card...

    This download is served from an external site

    close

    NOTICE: This link will open a connection to a third-party site. CNET cannot ensure the security of software that is hosted on external sites.

    Continue to download

    Sponsored Products

    Visit Site
  • Easeus Partition Ma...
    Configure and manage disk partitions, move, resize, copy and re...
    Download

    Installed

    Smart Install
  • Turtle Beach Tahiti...
    Download the sound card install for Windows 3.x.
    Download

    Installed

    Smart Install
  • BatchPatch
    Install Windows updates remotely and reboot lots of computers s...
    Download

    Installed

    Smart Install
  • Wise Care 365 Free
    Keep your PC in tiptop shape and at peak performance.
    Download

    Installed

    Smart Install
  • Sound Blaster PCI 5...
    Get the optimized Windows 2000/XP driver release for the Sound ...
    Download

    Installed

    Smart Install
  • Smart Driver Update...
    Find and replaces outdated drivers automatically.
    Download

    Installed

    Smart Install
  • Matrox Mystique 220...
    Grab this Windows 95/98 Microsoft WHQL-certified video driver f...
    Download

    Installed

    Smart Install
  • Wise Disk Cleaner
    Scan junk files and delete these junk files in Windows system.
    Download

    Installed

    Smart Install
  • Sound Blaster Audig...
    Update Windows 2000/XP drivers for your Audigy sound card.
    Download

    Installed

    Smart Install
  • WinZip
    Zip and unzip files instantly, protect them by encryption, or b...
    Download

    Installed

    Smart Install
  • Sound Blaster Extig...
    Update Windows drivers and firmware for your Sound Blaster Exti...
    Download

    Installed

    Smart Install
All User Reviews
  • All versions:

    3.9 stars

    out of 2,367 votes

    • 5 star: 1002
    • 4 star: 706
    • 3 star: 244
    • 2 star: 147
    • 1 star: 268
  • Current version:

    4.5 stars

    out of 46 votes

    • 5 star: 30
    • 4 star: 12
    • 3 star: 1
    • 2 star: 1
    • 1 star: 2
  • My rating:

    0 stars

    Write review

Results 1-10 of 46

  • 5.0 stars

    "DriverMax is awesome."

    May 20, 2013  |   By Scuttlescub46

    Version: DriverMax 7.13

    Pros

    I had no problems downloading and installing the drivers I needed. Everything went smoothly.

    Cons

    There were no cons at all. I love using Driver Max.

    Reply to this review

    Was this review helpful? (0) (0)

  • 5.0 stars

    "Very user friendly, easy to use."

    May 20, 2013  |   By DarkAngel58100

    Version: DriverMax 7.13

    Pros

    Very easy to install any driver/codec that is missing from the pc.

    Cons

    I had 1 problem with an IDT Audio codec. simple solution was, deleted, then re-installed---problem solved. Easy.

    Summary

    I have found DriverMax to be so easy and uncomplicated for those of us who are not IT specialists.

    Reply to this review

    Was this review helpful? (0) (0)

  • 5.0 stars

    "So user friendly!"

    May 18, 2013  |   By AmandaBridges04

    Version: DriverMax 7.13

    Pros

    I love this program, and all of it's features! It's so easy to use, and always finds any out of date drivers on my computer. I've been using this program well over 1 year, and haven't ever had any issues with it. Highly recommended!!!

    Cons

    I honestly haven't found any cons yet...not sure if I will ever find any since I've been using this program for over a year, and haven't found any "cons" as of yet...

    Reply to this review

    Was this review helpful? (0) (0)

  • 5.0 stars

    "Absolutely the Best Driver Updater Software"

    May 17, 2013  |   By kehekili

    Version: DriverMax 7.13

    Pros

    Always finds what drivers needed to be updated.

    Cons

    Had to rollback some drivers and wait for a newer drivers.

    Reply to this review

    Was this review helpful? (0) (0)

  • 2.0 stars

    "Wok=rked for a while and then stopped"

    May 16, 2013  |   By gmlindsay

    Version: DriverMax 7.13

    Pros

    Reliably installed new drivers when working

    Cons

    Stooped working and no amount of deleting and re-installing would stop it freezing after detecting new and update drivers

    Summary

    When it worked it was fine BUT.................

    Reply to this review

    Was this review helpful? (0) (0)

  • 5.0 stars

    "new,improved, must try driver updater"

    May 16, 2013  |   By offerPop5726176

    Version: DriverMax 7.13

    Pros

    clean
    easy
    quick
    detailed
    free
    optional restore points
    optional driver backup

    Cons

    limit 2 driver/day downloads for free version

    Summary

    you will be surprised how quick and easy this program is to update your drivers

    Reply to this review

    Was this review helpful? (0) (0)

  • 5.0 stars

    "Super great driver updater."

    May 15, 2013  |   By garyb1245

    Version: DriverMax 7.13

    Pros

    I love Driver Max it's a great product.Ive been using driver scan for a long time and driver max work even better than the other one.It gets the job done and well worth the price.

    Cons

    I have none.

    Reply to this review

    Was this review helpful? (0) (0)

  • 5.0 stars

    "fixed perf. pblm with this utility"

    May 15, 2013  |   By dbc1012

    Version: DriverMax 7.13

    Pros

    - finds drivers that other tools think don't exist
    - fixes problems, real problems, like thruput degradation
    - free version allows 2 updates in 24 hours
    - proved that even NEW purchased pc's need updates. I never updated drivers in previous laptops or desktops. I've updated 15 already in a HP Pavilion I purchased less than a year ago, and HAD to. The pc was performing like junk.

    Cons

    Only 2 updates in a day allowed. On the other hand, they let us use it free.

    Summary

    It has never bit me. I've never had to roll back a driver update. It even shows you if one update includes several levels previously released.

    Reply to this review

    Was this review helpful? (0) (0)

  • 5.0 stars

    "Driver Max is entirely efficient for a free program"

    May 14, 2013  |   By altizmo

    Version: DriverMax 7.13

    Pros

    well for one its free if you don't mind only being able to download and install 3 drivers at a time per day.
    The drivers are better sourced than some of the other well known programs available out there and don't conflict with my system.

    Cons

    Its not much to look at but that's hardly a con i guess so no i don't have any issues with this product.

    Summary

    A all round good program that delivers what it promises

    Reply to this review

    Was this review helpful? (0) (0)

  • 4.0 stars

    "Needed updates are found & my system runs smoother."

    May 14, 2013  |   By Rusty3699

    Version: DriverMax 7.13

    Pros

    Clean updates however the restore point feature is a great protection from new driver errors.

    Cons

    It seems difficult to confirm if the driver updates are functional. It slows down the boot up of the system a lot thus every time Drivermax is updated I have to turn it off from booting with the system.

    Summary

    A needed utility and the free option for 2 downloads per day is greatly appreciated.

    Reply to this review

    Was this review helpful? (0) (0)

Results 1-10 of 46

Add Your Review

or Log in or create an account to post a review.
You are logged in as . Please submit your review for DriverMax 7.13
Add Your Review

The posting of advertisements, profanity, or personal attacks is prohibited.
Click here to review our site terms of use.

Submit your reply

Submit

The posting of advertisements, profanity, or personal attacks is prohibited.
Click here to review our site terms of use.

cancel

E-mail this review

Submit cancel

Report offensive content

If you believe this comment is offensive or violates the CNET's Site Terms of Use, you can report it below (this will not automatically remove the comment). Once reported, our staff will be notified and the comment will be reviewed.

Select type of offense:

Offensive: Sexually explicit or offensive language
Spam: Advertisements or commercial links
Disruptive posting: Flaming or offending other users
Illegal activities: Promote cracked software, or other illegal content
Submit cancel

See more CNET content tagged:

Previous Versions:

Error

close

ERROR MESSAGE

If you think this is an error, please contact CNET TechTracker Support for further assistance.

Ok

Running Request

close

loading

Smart Install Software

close

CNET TechTracker will now automatically install software without requiring further action by you. (Note: This feature automatically accepts associated EULAs and third party applications on your behalf.)

You have selected the following software to Smart Install:

CNET TechTracker will attempt to install this software without interrupting you again. If an application requires manual installation, CNET TechTracker will download the installer and prompt you to take further action.

Proceed with Smart Install?

Confirm Standard Install Cancel

Submit a problem report for DriverMax

close

Please describe the problem you have with this software. This information will be sent to our editors for review.

Problem:

The CNET Installer isn't working as expected

The download link does not work

The software has a newer version

The software contains malware

Other

Description:

Please select a feedback type.

Please enter a description.

Submit Problem Report

Problem Report submitted

close

Thank you for submitting a problem report! The Download team is committed to providing you with accurate software information.

OK

Installed

Smart Install
DriverMax