Keeping your computer's drivers up to date is crucial for maintaining optimal performance and security. Driver Booster, developed by IObit, is a popular tool designed to automatically update and manage drivers, ensuring your system runs smoothly. This article delves into the key details of Driver Booster, including its pros and cons, full specifications, and a step-by-step guide on how to download, install, and use this essential software.
What is Driver Booster?
Driver Booster is a driver updater tool that scans your computer for outdated, missing, or faulty drivers and updates them with a single click. Developed by IObit, a company known for its PC optimization and security software, Driver Booster aims to enhance system performance and stability by keeping all drivers current.
Key Features of Driver Booster
Automatic Driver Updates
Driver Booster automatically scans and updates your drivers, saving you time and ensuring your system remains in top shape without manual intervention.
Large Driver Database
With a vast database of over 3.5 million drivers and game components, Driver Booster supports a wide range of devices and ensures compatibility with various hardware.
Game Boost Function
This feature optimizes your PC for gaming by stopping unnecessary background processes, freeing up resources, and updating game-related drivers for smoother gameplay.
Backup and Restore
Driver Booster creates backups of your drivers before updating them, allowing you to restore previous versions if needed. This safety feature ensures you can revert to a stable state in case of issues with new drivers.
Offline Driver Updater
Driver Booster allows you to update drivers without an internet connection by downloading driver packages beforehand, making it convenient for offline use or systems with limited connectivity.
Pros of Driver Booster
Ease of Use
Driver Booster's user-friendly interface makes it accessible to users of all skill levels. The one-click update feature simplifies the process of keeping drivers up to date.
Time-Saving Automatic Updates
Automatic scanning and updating eliminate the need for manual searches and installations, saving you valuable time and effort.
Improved System Performance
By updating outdated drivers, Driver Booster can enhance your system's performance, fix bugs, and improve compatibility with new software and hardware.
Safety Features
The backup and restore functions, along with WHQL (Windows Hardware Quality Labs) certified drivers, ensure safe and reliable updates.
Cons of Driver Booster
Limited Features in Free Version
The free version of Driver Booster has some limitations compared to the Pro version, including fewer features and slower driver download speeds.
Occasional False Positives
Driver Booster may occasionally identify valid drivers as outdated or incompatible, requiring manual verification before updating.
Ads in Free Version
The free version displays ads for other IObit products, which some users may find intrusive.
System Requirements
To run Driver Booster effectively, your system should meet the following requirements:
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Operating System: Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, 8.1, 10, 11 (32-bit or 64-bit)
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Processor: 1 GHz or faster
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Memory: 512 MB of RAM (1 GB recommended)
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Disk Space: 100 MB for installation
Downloading Driver Booster
Official Download Sources
To ensure a safe download, obtain Driver Booster from the official IObit website or trusted software repositories like CNET or Softpedia.
Step-by-Step Download Guide
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Visit the official IObit website.
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Navigate to the Driver Booster download page.
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Click the "Free Download" button.
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Save the installer file to your computer.
Installing Driver Booster
Installation Steps
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Locate the downloaded installer file and double-click to run it.
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Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.
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Choose the destination folder and agree to the terms and conditions.
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Click "Install" to proceed.
Initial Setup and Configuration
Upon first launch, Driver Booster will automatically scan your system for outdated drivers. Review the scan results and configure any additional settings according to your preferences.
How to Use Driver Booster
Scanning for Outdated Drivers
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Open Driver Booster.
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Click the "Scan" button on the main interface.
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Wait for the scan to complete and review the list of outdated drivers.
Updating Drivers
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After the scan, select the drivers you want to update.
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Click the "Update Now" button to start the updating process.
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Driver Booster will download and install the updates automatically.
Using Game Boost
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Open Driver Booster and navigate to the "Game Boost" section.
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Click "Turn On" to optimize your system for gaming.
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Monitor the performance improvements while gaming.
Backup and Restore Functionality
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Go to the "Tools" section in Driver Booster.
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Select "Driver Backup" to create backups of your current drivers.
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To restore a driver, go to "Driver Restore" and select the backup file.
Advanced Features and Settings
Scheduling Scans
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Open the "Settings" menu in Driver Booster.
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Navigate to the "Schedule" section.
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Set up automatic scans at your preferred intervals.
Excluding Specific Drivers
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Go to the "Settings" menu.
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Select the "Ignore" list.
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Add any drivers you want to exclude from future scans and updates.
Customizing Notifications
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Open the "Settings" menu.
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Navigate to the "Notifications" section.
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Customize which notifications you want to receive from Driver Booster.
Comparing Driver Booster to Other Driver Updaters
Unique Selling Points
Driver Booster stands out with its large driver database, Game Boost feature, and user-friendly interface. Its safety features, such as driver backup and WHQL certification, also provide an edge.
Performance Comparisons
Compared to other driver updaters like Driver Easy and Snappy Driver Installer, Driver Booster often excels in terms of ease of use and additional features, although some free alternatives might offer similar functionalities without ads.
User Reviews and Testimonials
Positive Feedback
Users frequently praise Driver Booster for its simplicity, effectiveness, and the noticeable performance improvements it brings to their systems.
Common Criticisms
Some users criticize the limited features in the free version and the presence of ads. There are also occasional reports of false positives.
Pricing and Licensing
Free vs. Pro Version
The free version of Driver Booster provides basic functionality, while the Pro version offers faster download speeds, more comprehensive driver updates, and additional features like Game Boost.
Subscription Plans and Pricing Details
Driver Booster Pro is available through a subscription plan, with pricing details available on the official IObit website. Discounts are often available for multi-year licenses or bundles with other IObit products.
FAQs
What is the difference between Driver Booster Free and Pro?
The Pro version offers faster updates, a larger driver database, and additional features like Game Boost and automatic backups.
Is Driver Booster safe to use?
Yes, Driver Booster is safe when downloaded from the official website or trusted sources. It uses WHQL certified drivers and offers backup and restore functions.
Can I use Driver Booster without an internet connection?
Yes, Driver Booster has an offline driver updater feature that allows you to download driver packages for offline use.