Is there a free trusted Driver Updater

ArthurDent · May 24, 2026

Okay, so you can open Device Manager, right click on a device and click on 'Update Driver'

However, this is extremely time-consuming and very tedious.

Is there a free (and trusted) driver updater?

If so, can someone kindly post a link.

Wary about simply Googling 'Free Driver Updater' and downloading some software of unknown provenance.

I'm aware that there are lots of 'paid-for' solutions.

Cheers,

Art

OAT · May 24, 2026

Arthur,
You don't need those, go to Lenovo site and see what they offer for your model.
Do you have any issues with any of your devices that would force you to seek for a new driver?

https://pcsupport.lenovo.com/us/en/products/laptops-and-netbooks/thinkpad-t-series-laptops/thinkpad-t495s-type-20qj-20qk/downloads

ArthurDent · May 24, 2026

Thanks for the quick reply.

Yep, a PAINFULLY slow pc.

I've cleaned out all the crap, now to update the drivers.

Art

glasskuter · May 24, 2026

Lenovo Vantage or windows update

OAT · May 24, 2026

ArthurDent said:
Thanks for the quick reply.

Yep, a PAINFULLY slow pc.

I've cleaned out all the crap, now to update the drivers.

Art

Updated drivers will rarely affect the slowness you are describing.
Why don't you try creating another user and see if you experience the same sluggishness.
Otherwise use the direct link I posted for your model or as @glasskuter suggested, Windows update.

joeandmarg0 · May 26, 2026

What method was used to clean out all the crap?
Have you temporarily disabled non microsoft programmes from auto starting ? Taskmanager>Startup
Win 11 will prevent you from downloading non microsoft approved drivers.You can circumvent this by typing ---dxdiag --in the Search box and in the Systems page uncheck the WHQL box.Don't leave it permanently unchecked.
In Terminal [admin ] run ---dism /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth ---followed by ---sfc /scannow ---

dalchina · May 26, 2026

Okay, so you can open Device Manager, right click on a device and click on 'Update Driver'

However, this is extremely time-consuming and very tedious.

I can't recall the last time I went there to update ANY driver. As indicated above there's no need to do that.

If your PC is slow, you need to determine the cause- not immediately blame it on drivers.

I have never seen anyone claim a 30% increase in speed after using a driver updater tool. Rather, I have seen people report problems.

The only time I suggest using one is if, in exceptional cases, a driver can't be found- old or incompatible hardware perhaps, or some obscure case.

Search tenforums for 'snake oil' and you will find plenty of threads about driver updating tools.

kelper · May 26, 2026

Driver update utilities can create their own problems. There are so many versioning systems, the version number on its own is not always a good guide as to the latest driver.

Shambles Bank · May 26, 2026

Ok, so it isn't free for driver updates, but personally, I use CCleaner and I can genuinely state, never had a problem using it and I have a trouble free system, everything works as it should. I also use Intel driver and support assistant that keeps MSI drivers ahead of where they normally are, again, no issues. Each to their own though and what works for some, might not work for others.

Helmut · May 26, 2026

ArthurDent said:
a PAINFULLY slow pc.

I've cleaned out all the crap, now to update the drivers.

Those will do nothing to help "a PAINFULLY slow pc".

All you really need for driver updates is Lenovo Vantage and Windows updates, in fact most Lenovo driver updates come via Windows Updates.
Sometimes you may need to go to Lenovo support put in serial number and get a list of driver updates, maybe one they don't indicate in the Vantage app.
No need to use Devices Manager, I almost never do. Never use any so-called cleaning tools.
e.g. Web Browsers have their own "cleaning" tools in their settings (clear temp files, cookies and so forth).

You need to analyse things preferably using some logic rather than guesswork.

My first port of call is the Task Manager:
Processes:
Performance:
Startup apps:

Taking the first ones Processes/Performance > Sort respective columns to make things clearer, tick on the title box to sort High to Low on Columns such as CPU, Memory, Disk.

That should give some clues. e.g. CPU usage at idle, just Windows and Task Manager, mine hovers between 0%-1%.

Startup Apps - depends somewhat on what application usage you have but I have 13 out of 16 entries disabled. Disabling rarely/never used Apps startup processes.

dalchina · May 26, 2026

Yes, let's start trying to work out why your PC is slow.

When did this start?
How long does it take for a cold boot to lock screen?

As Helmut suggests: boot normally, wait say 3 minutes after logging in, then capture appropriate screenshots of your task manager organising columns of interest high to low by clicking on the column header.

And how much free space do you have on C: ?

** Is this the PC in your specs with SK Hynix 2280 m.2 SSD, 512Gb or Crucial T500 m.2 SSD ?

Steve C · May 27, 2026

No. Next question?

dalchina · May 27, 2026

@Steve C - that's a 'No' - to what exactly?

TairikuOkami · May 27, 2026

Driver Easy is trusted and it is Free to scan, then you can just google the driver version.
It has also a great knowledge base related to drivers, they know what they are doing.

Code:

https://www.drivereasy.com/knowledge

MS often lists the driver, but it does not push it through WU for compatibility?!

11 uses 10 years old Realtek LAN driver, that causes so many issues, that it is insane.

Code:

https://www.catalog.update.microsoft.com

Steve C · May 27, 2026

dalchina said:
@Steve C - that's a 'No' - to what exactly?

Obviously to the post subject