Windows 10: Anyone know a legit (non-scam/junk mail) drivers source/site?

Does anyone know of a legit (non-scam/junk mail/overbearing) driver-fetching utility or website? The closest I came to something like that Was Driver Detective, but even that wanted to install a systray utility, send me emails, etc.

I support about 15-20 friends and family, so installing (and *paying*) to install Driver Detective, I'm hoping to find a legitimate site that would let me input the VID and PID info for a device and find the best driver. I'm not opposed to paying, say, $50 per year for access to something like this.

:)

 

security error codes 00x800605b2 & 0x80040204

does anyone know what these codes mean and if this is legit or a scam?

 

Phishing Scam Emails

Yes, in Mail of Outlook.com there was an Arrow next to JUNK with 3 options..

Junk.

Phishing Scam.

My friends been hacked.

On the new Windows 10 Mail that feature doesn't appear to be there, so not allowing me to send emails direct to Phishing Scam.

Regards.

 

I know of no non-invasive or real effective driver sniffer, installer, maintenance, program.

 

I get my drivers from the manufacturer's websites. If I'm not having any issues and have no "unknown devices" or exclamation points in device drivers, I don't worry too much about getting the latest and greatest drivers for my hardware above and beyond the built in Windows updates. In fact I have found that sometimes the latest and greatest drivers have bugs and/or don't perform as well as the next to latest and greatest.

 

Many driver update sites started as helpful free services, but have become, dare I say, corrupted, by Adware, Subscription, Pay-per-download monetarization and unverified, unfit-for-purpose and potentially damaging drivers from unsafe sources.

I cannot say that it does not cost money to run a website that checks, verifies and guarantees that the software that it provides is safe and in working order, and uses online software that checks systems for outdated drivers, and supplies solutions to problems it finds, but the drivers that these sites provide are free at source.

I only use these Driver sites to identify out-of-date versions of drivers, but always go to verified sources for downloads - meaning the device manufacturers, or the Windows Update site, where at least you can complain about inappropriate or bad drivers, and in cases where the latest driver does not support older hardware, to the device manufacturer's support forums.

Used to be that DriverMax would back-up your drivers, and update their sources from your drivers, and supply drivers FOC, but that required an install of software, and now needs some payment, I believe.

I use Google to search VID and PID, then whichever driver site that comes up to ID the latest version, and Google again for a source OEM support site for that, once I know the Vendor.

 

Such a site or utility may well exist but I lack the inclination to spend the considerable time required to find something I wouldn't care to use anyway. I prefer to obtain drivers from the manufacturer.

There was a time in the Windows 98 days when I tried some of these utilities but had some unpleasant experiences. I doubt the current situation is any better. Most likely it is worse. It is not unusual for these utilities to suggest older or inappropriate drivers, and they may be packaged with unwanted programs or outright malware. Such programs appeal to the inexperienced who are easy prey.

 

This free, no-nonsense utility has helped me a lot over the years!
"Double Driver is a very simple and useful tool which not only allows you to view all the drivers installed on your system but also allows you to backup, restore, save and print all chosen drivers."
BooZet Freeware | Double Driver - backup and restore installed drivers

Yep. That's the route I've been doing.

 

PCI Database is useful too.

 

I've tried a bunch of them, and for a long time found DriverAgent from eSupport (the company that also builds AMI BIOSes) to be the best. My only problems with this tool were lots of false positives (program tells me I need a driver, but I am either unable to install what's said to be missing, or when I try to run the installer, it comes back and gives me some kind of failure message: most often "Your system doesn't meet minimum installer requirements" or suchlike). Late last fall I was approached by SlimWare Utilities and offered access to their DriverUpdate program. It is even more accurate and has so far given me less than a handful of false positives for 7 different PCs, laptops, and tablets over that period. Both programs cost less than $50 a year, and each is good for one or more PCs (I subscribe for 50 UNC names to DriverAgent for $65 a year, and DriverUpdate costs $30 a year). You might want to check them out and see if you like them. Both have some kind of money back if not satisfied offer, so you can get a refund if you decide you're unhappy within 30 days of plunking down your hard-earned cash.
HTH,
--Ed--
Links to DriverAgent, DriverUpdate

 

@EdTittel - thank you!

 

I use Driver Easy Free , it seems nice, if you only want to identify missing drivers.

 

I try the manufacturer's website first. About half the time it works.

 

Does anyone know any more of this utilities BUT being really FREE?

The only one I know is SnailDriver but it's in ßeta stage and it doesn't work for XP.

PS - Tried IOBit one, but its interface is messy as hell, slow as molasses on certain PCs and it will clutter your PC with a lot of IOBit folders and such crap. It will also nag you constantly to purchase the PRO version.

PS2 - There are also DevID and 3DPChip but keep in mind that you may get some nasty adware/malware by using these if you are not prepared. You have been warned.

 

Except when working with very old or obscure hardware...