Scan & Fix 50 registry issues FREECNET 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, update, backup and restore the drivers installed on your Windows PC. It automatically checks for more recent driver versions and identifies and installs missing drivers for unknown devices in your computer. Download all drivers from one place in just a few easy steps and keep your PC up to date. Backup drivers and keep all of them in one compressed file; restore them at a mouse click within a few minutes. This tool will save you a lot of time when reinstalling Windows, both on recent PCs and 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 able to display a detailed report about all installed drivers (versions, release dates) and provide you with Windows Experience Index rating information before you purchase new hardware.
What's new in this version: Version 6.16 improves the update detection algorithm.
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All versions:
3.9 starsout of 2,373 votes
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Current version:
2.5 starsout of 14 votes
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My rating:
Write review
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"GARBAGE DOWNLOAD"
Version: DriverMax 6.16
Pros
I see no pros to this download
Cons
I no longer have use of my computer. I downloaded a driver for my mouse and I cannot use a mouse on it any longer. This is a garbage download. DO NOT USE IT!!
Summary
The only reason I put ANY star rating is you HAVE to.
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"Works for me."
Version: DriverMax 6.16
Pros
Updates and backs out of the updates accurately.
Cons
free version only lets you download 2 fixes per day
Summary
I've used this product for over a year now. At first it was painfully slow. I screwed up a couple of times and it took over a week to get and install 7 updates. It might have been a bit longer but, since then, it has run in the background using no noticeable resources. Every month or so it either has to be updated or finds an new update. Both work fine. I had a bad install for a video driver that left me with a blank screen. I hard booted and got a screen that let me back out of the change without my needing to do a system restore. I waited a day and, sure enough, a newer version of that same driver was available. DriverMax told me, got it and it worked fine.
I'm running W7 and Firefox with ZoneAlarm free firewall, AVG free antivirus and Ad-Aware free spyware defender. -
"simple to use, seems to be very effective."
Version: DriverMax 6.16
Pros
ease of use, simple instructions.
Cons
none so far
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"Easy to use."
Version: DriverMax 6.16
Pros
Checks all installed drivers and downloads immediately.
Cons
Can be quite time consuming when installing multiple drivers but still worth the wait.
Summary
I quite like this tool. It covers all my drivers and installs them immediately. It can be time consuming but I like the idea it can install more than one driver at a time. I paid of course to get this option as the free version only installs 2 drivers per day so I thought buying it for the price I paid was more than worth it.
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"bluescreen"
Version: DriverMax 6.16
Pros
looks pretty
Cons
just for fun I updated my nvidia driver like
Dmax sugested,instant crash.Had to go to internet and download driver and reinstall to get old drivers to workSummary
I don't like it
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"The best driver updater"
Version: DriverMax 6.16
Pros
DriverMax always finds the right driver for my hardware. I use the free version and it's enough. Much better than other similar programs.
Cons
None known
Summary
Perfect for finding drivers
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"Not worth "free""
Version: DriverMax 6.16
Pros
It got CNET 5-star review but was from 2008.
Cons
I would rather use traditional backup software.
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"Not worth the crapware it installs"
Version: DriverMax 6.16
Pros
Identifies drivers needing updates
Backs up all drivers to make reinstalling easy if needed, without having to redownload.Cons
Installed difficult-to-remove AVG Toolbar without my permission and hijacked all my browsers' home pages.
Summary
When I installed DriverMax, it asked if I wanted to install the AVG Toolbar and use AVG Safe Search. I declined. However, two days later, it said a program update was required. This program update simply installed the AVG toolbar in Firefox, Chrome, AND IE, and also hijacked the homepage to AVG Safe Search without asking. I removed the Toolbar and reset the home pages. But 3 days later, ANOTHER "required" update did the same thing. If they can't be trusted to respect my computer, they certainly can't be trusted with respect to the drivers, either.
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"Could be better"
Version: DriverMax 6.16
Pros
Good idea in theory but the product needs to ensure the driver is 100% correct for the users computer.
Cons
Not worth the money if you're going to go the whole hog and subscribe. The product updated drivers that it thought it was suitable for my system but I ended up losing my Internet until I rolled back Windows via System Restore. Have emailed the company with my concerns and a request for a refund on my one month subscription. Haven't heard back from them yet (and probably wont).
Summary
Be cautious when debating on whether you're going to subscribe or you'll end up wasting money.
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"a waste of time, space and aspects hard to remove AVG"
Version: DriverMax 6.16
Pros
not many pros
Cons
only two driver a day allowed in free version also downloaded AVG without my permission and AVG has been hard to remove.
Summary
Free version not helpful
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