Manage updates with the Download AppCNET 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
From Innovative Solutions:
DriverMax is a powerful free utility which helps you download, back up and restore the drivers installed on your Windows Vista or Windows XP computer and check if newer versions are available. Download all drivers from one place in just a few steps. Or back them up so you will have all of them in a single place and will be able to reinstall them in a few minutes. This tool can save you a lot of time when reinstalling Windows, especially on older computers for which the original CDs containing the drivers have been lost. You no longer have to track down old driver installation CDs, insert one installation CD after another or spend hours searching for drivers on the Internet. DriverMax is also able to display a detailed report about all drivers (versions, release dates) installed on your system. Identify unknown devices in your computer and get Windows Vista rating information before you purchase new hardware.
What's new in this version: Version 5.96 improves the application speed.
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All versions:
3.9 starsout of 2,376 votes
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Current version:
3.5 starsout of 23 votes
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My rating:
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"It keeps me up to date on all my drivers."
Version: DriverMax 5.96
Pros
Easy to use and the drivers are basically reliable.
Cons
Always create a back-up point. The new graphics drivers conflicted with my Win 7. I don't know why but everything else was perfect.
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"You have to follow the instructs: is that a bad thing?"
Version: DriverMax 5.96
Pros
Straight forward, hasn't messed up my computer yet, takes care of the sometimes messy job of installing.
Cons
Will not do but two a day for free and is intentionally a little slow unless you pay for the premium service, but why else would anyone pay.
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"I like the ease of updating drivers."
Version: DriverMax 5.96
Pros
Very easy to use.
Cons
Steps are a little confusing.
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"Very good FREE driver utility"
Version: DriverMax 5.96
Pros
It shows all the drivers who needs updated.
It's not so difficult to follow the download and install process.
I use it for more then 2 years now and it never failed.Cons
Well, they want to sell the pro version, that's why they build in several delays.
Summary
In fact nothing can go wrong, just look good if a driver is digitally signed or not and if there are bad reviews about a driver. I tried some other free programs but these lied about the amount of drivers or the versions.
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"IT REALLY WORKS"
Version: DriverMax 5.96
Pros
It will find all of the drivers on your computer that really do need updating, AND find all of the available updates.
YOU choose which of the updates [for each driver] to install.
You can install at your pace. If a driver installation fails, you can try again, because it is still downloaded into the program.Cons
Free version will only download 2 drivers every 24 hours.
On really large drivers or multi's, it bumps my dial-up internet connection causing the install to fail.Summary
Found all of the drivers updates I need. NO other FREE program has done that correctly.
All of the other free programs will find 22 "outdated" drivers, that aren't really outdated, or try to install older driver than I already have. -
"It works? but..."
Version: DriverMax 5.96
Pros
none I can think of.
Cons
more trouble to download than its worth.
Summary
My opinion only but it didn't work for me.
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"Good as any free driver program out there,maybe better!"
Version: DriverMax 5.96
Pros
Only need to register once, no matter how many updates. The delay time for a non-paying user is no longer than about 30 sec. for each driver download - there's a visible countdown. Although there's a limit of downloading 2 drivers per day, you can set up all your drivers at one time in a download list, and they automatically download each day without your intervention. Being able to backup your drivers into one folder (which I do BEFORE I download) makes it easy to roll back to your PREVIOUS driver if needed. I've only had to roll back once in three years. It lists both your current vs. and the latest vs. for comparison. Gives you a choice of several drivers, listing alternate drivers, alternate names, driver rating, user popularity polls, manufacturer, whether digitally signed, and language available.
Cons
Doesn't actually check to see if your driver downloads, installs and works after re-boot. but you can easily check the install by checking the version in the device manager. As for an apparently non-working driver, they don't offer any solutions other than a trial-and-run with the alternate drivers offered. As suggested by another user, a compatibility test for each driver before use would be a big plus in the program.
Summary
The driver update list compares favorable with other driver program updates. Just two installs a day is a good idea ... It gives the computer time to 'test' the new driver without being bogged down by multitude of drivers at one time. Although there are more free driver download websites out there, this one by far outdoes them all. I've been using this for over three years ... I've never had to re-register and I've never had to upgrade in order to get all my latest version drivers. I highly recommend this program.
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"Worth every dollar of the registration fee."
Version: DriverMax 5.96
Pros
Flawlessly fixed problems I had on two computers. This will remain one of the few "Must have" programs for me.
Cons
As far as I can tell, there aren't any.
Summary
Excellent product! Keep up the good work.
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"free but perfect"
Version: DriverMax 5.96
Pros
this application does a wonderful job,it has brought me so much convenience,I enjoy working this software so much
Cons
I LIKE THIS PROGRAM SO MUCH
Summary
YOU CAN HAVE A TRY,I HAVE BEEN USING THIS ONE FOR A LONG TIME,YOU WILL NEVER REGRET YOUR CHOICE AT ALL
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"SO SO .........."
Version: DriverMax 5.96
Pros
Some drivers download, and install
Cons
Many drivers just don't install? They say they did, but they don't?
Also the free version is a maze to maneuver -- if this is to make you want to buy the full version, well, they've got a long way to go in convincing me!Summary
Look for other driver software....
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