CINXE.COM

<!doctype html> <html lang="en"> <head> <title>Driver Definition - What is a device driver?</title> <link rel="canonical" href="https://techterms.com/definition/driver"> <meta name="description" content="Learn about device drivers, the software that helps your computer control its components and peripherals."> <meta name="keywords" content="Driver, definition, hardware, device, support, control, computer, recognize, OS, operating system"> <meta name="robots" content="max-image-preview:large"> <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1"> <meta name="apple-itunes-app" content="app-id=923672016"> <meta charset="utf-8"> <link rel="preconnect" href="https://www.google-analytics.com"> <link rel="preconnect" href="securepubads.g.doubleclick.net"> <link rel="preconnect" href="https://www.googletagservices.com"> <link rel="stylesheet" href="https://techterms.com/css/tt.css?v=1" media="screen, print"> <link rel="icon" href="/svg/favicon.svg"> <script>window.dataLayer=window.dataLayer||[];function gtag(){dataLayer.push(arguments)}gtag('consent','default',{'ad_storage':'granted','ad_user_data':'granted','ad_personalization':'granted','analytics_storage':'granted'});gtag('consent','default',{'ad_storage':'denied','ad_user_data':'denied','ad_personalization':'denied','region':["NO","DE","FI","BE","PT","BG","DK","LT","LU","LV","HR","FR","HU","SE","SI","MC","SK","MF","SM","YT","IE","GF","EE","MQ","MT","GP","IS","GR","IT","ES","AT","RE","CY","CZ","AX","PL","RO","LI","NL"]})</script> <script src="https://cdn.cookielaw.org/scripttemplates/otSDKStub.js" data-domain-script="018decfc-da98-7112-b546-affa65c740cd"></script> <script>let adsLoaded=!1;let cmpReady=!1;let adsReady=!1;function OptanonWrapper(){cmpReady=!0;loadAds()}function loadAds(){if(!adsLoaded&&cmpReady&&adsReady){if((typeof __tcfapi!=="undefined")||(OnetrustActiveGroups.indexOf('C0004')!=-1)){googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.pubads().refresh()});!function(e,t,a,n,o,s){o=e.createElement(t),s=e.getElementsByTagName(t)[0],o.async=1,o.src="https://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js",o.setAttribute("data-ad-client","ca-pub-0087137714961591"),s.parentNode.insertBefore(o,s)}(document,"script")}else{googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.pubads().setPrivacySettings({nonPersonalizedAds:!0}),googletag.pubads().refresh()});!function(e,t,a,n,o,s){o=e.createElement(t),s=e.getElementsByTagName(t)[0],o.async=1,o.src="https://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js",o.setAttribute("data-ad-client","ca-pub-0087137714961591"),o.setAttribute("data-privacy-treatments","disablePersonalization"),s.parentNode.insertBefore(o,s)}(document,"script")} adsLoaded=!0}}</script> <script async src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtag/js?id=G-5K7VMN5PX3"></script> <script>window.dataLayer=window.dataLayer||[];function gtag(){dataLayer.push(arguments)}gtag('js',new Date());gtag('config','G-5K7VMN5PX3')</script> <script>for(var ca=document.cookie.split("; "),i=0;i<ca.length;i++){var c=ca[i];if(-1!=c.indexOf("tt_theme=")){var theme=c.substring(9,c.length),html=document.getElementsByTagName("html")[0];html.classList.add("theme-"+theme),USERTHEME=theme;}else-1!=c.indexOf("tt_size=")&&(USERSIZE=c.substring(8,c.length))}</script> <script async src="https://securepubads.g.doubleclick.net/tag/js/gpt.js"></script> <script>var sizes_tlb = [[970, 90], [728, 90], [468, 60], [320, 100], [320, 50]];var sizes_ss = [[300, 600], [160, 600], [468, 60], [320, 100], [320, 50]];var sizes_ra = [[336, 280], [300, 250], [320, 100], [320, 50]];var sizes_lb = [[728, 90], [468, 60], [320, 100], [320, 50], "fluid"];window.googletag = window.googletag || {cmd: []}; googletag.cmd.push(function() {function defineAdSlot(e,d,g,i){e="/1009901/"+e,g="div-gpt-ad-"+g+"-0",slot0=googletag.defineSlot(e,d,g).defineSizeMapping(i).addService(googletag.pubads())}var mapping_tlb = googletag.sizeMapping().addSize([1000, 0], [[970, 90], [728, 90], [468, 60], [320, 100], [320, 50]]).addSize([758, 0], [[728, 90], [468, 60], [320, 100], [320, 50]]).addSize([488, 0], [[468, 60], [320, 100], [320, 50]]).addSize([0, 0], [[320, 100], [320, 50]]).build();var mapping_ss = googletag.sizeMapping().addSize([981, 0], [[300, 600], [160, 600]]).build();var mapping_ra = googletag.sizeMapping().addSize([971, 0], [[336, 280], [300, 250], [320, 100], [320, 50]]).addSize([551, 0], [[300, 250]]).build();var mapping_lb = googletag.sizeMapping().addSize([1178, 0], [[728, 90], [468, 60], [320, 100], [320, 50], "fluid"]).addSize([966, 0], [[468, 60], [320, 100], [320, 50], "fluid"]).addSize([820, 0], [[728, 90], [468, 60], [320, 100], [320, 50], "fluid"]).addSize([520, 0], [[468, 60], [320, 100], [320, 50], "fluid"]).addSize([0, 0], [[320, 100], [320, 50], "fluid"]).build();var mapping_qlb = googletag.sizeMapping().addSize([758, 0], [[728, 90], [468, 60], [320, 100], [320, 50], "fluid"]).addSize([488, 0], [[468, 60], [320, 100], [320, 50], "fluid"]).addSize([0, 0], [[320, 100], [320, 50], "fluid"]).build();if (window.innerWidth >= 0) defineAdSlot('tt_tlb_2020', sizes_tlb, '1589388248615', mapping_tlb);if (window.innerWidth >= 551) defineAdSlot('tt_dra_2020', sizes_ra, '1589302365809', mapping_ra);if (window.innerWidth >= 0) defineAdSlot('tt_dlb_2020', sizes_lb, '1589236206757', mapping_lb);if (window.innerWidth >= 980) defineAdSlot('tt_dss_2020', sizes_ss, '1589233879778', mapping_ss);});googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.pubads().disableInitialLoad(),googletag.pubads().enableSingleRequest(),googletag.pubads().setTargeting("page_url","/definition/driver"),googletag.enableServices()});adsReady=true;loadAds();if (window.innerWidth >= 0) googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display("div-gpt-ad-1589388248615-0")});if (window.innerWidth >= 551) googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display("div-gpt-ad-1589302365809-0")});if (window.innerWidth >= 0) googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display("div-gpt-ad-1589236206757-0")});if (window.innerWidth >= 980) googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display("div-gpt-ad-1589233879778-0")});</script> <script type="application/ld+json"> {"@context":"http://schema.org","@type":"Article","dateCreated":"2006","datePublished":"2006","dateModified":"2012-04-04","copyrightYear":"2006","copyrightHolder":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Sharpened Productions"},"name":"Driver","description":"A technical definition of Driver","headline":"Driver","abstract":"Definition of Driver","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Per Christensson","url":"https://techterms.com/authors/per_christensson"},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"TechTerms.com","logo":"https://techterms.com/img/main/techterms.png"},"teaches":{"@type":"DefinedTerm","url":"https://techterms.com/definition/driver","name":"Driver","description":"A technical definition of Driver"},"audience":{"@type":"Audience","audienceType":"everyone"},"genre":"Technology","inLanguage":"en-US","isFamilyFriendly":"True","keywords":"hardware, device, support, control, computer, recognize, OS, operating system","locationCreated":{"@type":"Place","name":"United States"},"text":"A driver, or device driver, is a software program that enables a specific hardware device to work with a computer's operating system. Drivers may be required for internal components, such as video cards and optical media drives, as well as external peripherals, such as printers and monitors.","url":"https://techterms.com/definition/driver"} </script> </head> <body> <div id="full"> <header id="siteheader"> <div class="content"> <a href="#main" class="visuallyhidden">Skip to main content</a> <a href="/" class="logo"><img src="/svg/logo.svg" width="212" height="24" alt="TechTerms.com"></a> <div class="siteheader-middle"> <div class="searchwrapper collapsed"> <form id="search" class="search" action="/search" method="post"> <div class='autocomplete' role='combobox' aria-expanded='false' aria-owns='autocomplete-results'> <input type="text" id="term" name="term" placeholder="Search (e.g. driver, router, dongle)" aria-label="Search (e.g. psd, docx, exe, jpg, zip)" autocomplete="off" class='autocomplete-input term' aria-autocomplete='both' aria-controls='autocomplete-results'> <button id="searchsubmit" class="searchsubmit"></button> </div> <ul id='autocomplete-results' class='autocomplete-results hidden' aria-label='Search'> </ul> </form> </div> <a href="/random" class="headerbutton random" id="random"><img src="/svg/random.svg" alt="random" width="16" height="16"></a> <button id="searchtoggle"><img src="/svg/search-white.svg" alt="search" width="18" height="18"></button> </div> <div class="siteheader-right"> <button id="menuopen"><img src="/svg/menu.svg" alt="open menu" width="18" height="16"></button> <nav id="sitemenu" class="collapsed"> <button id="menuclose"><img src="/svg/close.svg" alt="close menu" width="14" height="14"></button> <ul> <li><a href="/browse/">Terms</a></li> <li><a href="/quiz/">Quizzes</a></li> <li><a href="/help/">Help Center</a></li> <li class="mobile"><a href="/random">Random Term</a></li> <li class="settings"><button id="settings"><img src="/svg/settings.svg" alt="settings" width="22" height="22"></button> <div class="settingsmenu"> <fieldset> <legend>Theme</legend> <input id="theme-default" value="default" type="radio" name="theme" checked> <label for="theme-default">Light</label> <input id="theme-dark" value="dark" type="radio" name="theme" > <label for="theme-dark">Dark</label> <input id="theme-hc" value="hc" type="radio" name="theme" > <label for="theme-hc">High Contrast</label> </fieldset> <div class="fontsizewrapper"><label for="fontsize">Font Size<input type="range" id="fontsize" name="fontsize" min="14" max="26" step="2" value="20"></label><span class="currentsize">20</span></div> <button id="resetsettings">Reset</button> </div> </li> </ul> </nav> </div> </div> </header> <main> <div class="adTopLB"> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1589388248615-0'> </div> </div> <div id="main" class="def"> <div id="left"> <div class="card hasheader"> <div class="cardheader"> <div class="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Home</a><svg viewBox="0 0 9 14" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><path d="m0 14 9-7-9-7z"/></svg><a href="/category/software">Software Terms</a><svg viewBox="0 0 9 14" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><path d="m0 14 9-7-9-7z"/></svg>Driver Definition</div> </div> <article> <h1>Driver</h1> <div class="adDefRect"> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1589302365809-0'> </div> </div> <p>A driver, or device driver, is a <a href="/definition/software">software</a> program that enables a specific <a href="/definition/hardware">hardware</a> device to work with a computer's <a href="/definition/operating_system">operating system</a>. Drivers may be required for internal components, such as <a href="/definition/video_card">video cards</a> and <a href="/definition/optical_media">optical media</a> drives, as well as external <a href="/definition/peripheral">peripherals</a>, such as <a href="/definition/printer">printers</a> and <a href="/definition/monitor">monitors</a>.</p> <p>Most modern hardware is "<a href="/definition/plug_and_play">plug and play</a>," meaning the devices will work without requiring driver installation. However, even if a hardware device is recognized by the operating system, <a href="/definition/install">installing</a> the correct drivers may provide additional options and functionality for the device. For example, most <a href="/definition/mouse">mice</a> work automatically when they are connected to a <a href="/definition/pc">PC</a>. However, installing the appropriate mouse driver may allow you to customize the function of each button and adjust the mouse sensitivity. Some <a href="/definition/keyboard">keyboard</a> drivers allow you to assign functions to specific keys, such as controlling the volume or opening specific <a href="/definition/application">applications</a>.</p> <p>There are several different ways to install drivers. For some devices, such as <a href="/definition/printer">printers</a>, the operating system may automatically find and install the correct drivers when the device is connected. In other cases, drivers can be installed from a <a href="/definition/cd">CD</a> or <a href="/definition/dvd">DVD</a> provided with the hardware. If no disc is available, you can typically download the latest drivers from the manufacturer's website from either the "Support" or "Downloads" section. Most downloadable drivers include an <a href="/definition/installer">installer</a> that automatically installs the necessary files when you open the downloaded file.</p> <p><b>File extensions: <a href="https://fileinfo.com/extension/drv" target="fileinfo">.DRV</a>, <a href="https://fileinfo.com/extension/dll" target="fileinfo">.DLL</a>, <a href="https://fileinfo.com/extension/sys" target="fileinfo">.SYS</a>, <a href="https://fileinfo.com/extension/kext" target="fileinfo">.KEXT</a></b></p> <div class="adBotLB"> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1589236206757-0'> </div> </div> <div class="cardfooter"> <div class="upDate"><div class="author">Updated <span class="pdate">April 4, 2012</span> by <a href="/authors/per_christensson">Per C.</a></div></div><div id="citations"> <div class="tabs"> <div role="tablist" aria-label="citations"> <button role="tab" aria-selected="false" aria-controls="apa" tabindex="-1">APA</button> <button role="tab" aria-selected="false" aria-controls="mla" tabindex="-1">MLA</button> <button role="tab" aria-selected="false" aria-controls="chicago" tabindex="-1">Chicago</button> <button role="tab" aria-selected="false" aria-controls="html" tabindex="-1">HTML</button> <button role="tab" aria-selected="false" aria-controls="link" tabindex="-1">Link</button> </div> <div class="citationwrap"> <div id="apa" role="tabpanel" class="citation" hidden> </div> <div id="mla" role="tabpanel" class="citation" hidden> </div> <div id="chicago" role="tabpanel" class="citation" hidden> </div> <div id="html" role="tabpanel" class="citation" hidden> </div> <div id="link" role="tabpanel" class="citation" hidden> <div>https://techterms.com/definition/driver</div> </div> <button id="citecopy"><span class="visuallyhidden">Copy</span><svg enable-background="new 0 0 488.3 488.3" viewBox="-7.5 -7.5 495.8 503.3" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><path d="m314.25 85.4h-227c-21.3 0-38.6 17.3-38.6 38.6v325.7c0 21.3 17.3 38.6 38.6 38.6h227c21.3 0 38.6-17.3 38.6-38.6v-325.7c-.1-21.3-17.4-38.6-38.6-38.6zm11.5 364.2c0 6.4-5.2 11.6-11.6 11.6h-227c-6.4 0-11.6-5.2-11.6-11.6v-325.6c0-6.4 5.2-11.6 11.6-11.6h227c6.4 0 11.6 5.2 11.6 11.6z" stroke-width="15"/><path d="m401.05 0h-227c-21.3 0-38.6 17.3-38.6 38.6 0 7.5 6 13.5 13.5 13.5s13.5-6 13.5-13.5c0-6.4 5.2-11.6 11.6-11.6h227c6.4 0 11.6 5.2 11.6 11.6v325.7c0 6.4-5.2 11.6-11.6 11.6-7.5 0-13.5 6-13.5 13.5s6 13.5 13.5 13.5c21.3 0 38.6-17.3 38.6-38.6v-325.7c0-21.3-17.3-38.6-38.6-38.6z" stroke-width="15"/></svg></button> </div> </div> </div> </div> </article> </div> <div id="defquiz" class="card"> <h2 class="heading logoheading"><img src="/img/main/quiz.png" alt="quiz" style="width:45px">Test Your Knowledge</h2> <div class="quizBox"> <div class="quizBody"> <p class="quizQuestion">Which verb describes creating audio files from songs on a CD?</p> <div class="quizTable"> <div id="ansButtonA" class="answerButton activeButton" data-answer="Anum" data-date="2020-05-18"><span class="ansLetter">A</span> <div class="answerCell"><span id="answerA" class="quizAnswer">Taping</span> <div class="answerBar"> <div id="quizBarA" class="quizBar"></div><span id="quizPercA" class="quizperc">0%</span> </div> </div> </div> <div id="ansButtonB" class="answerButton activeButton" data-answer="Bnum" data-date="2020-05-18"><span class="ansLetter">B</span> <div class="answerCell"><span id="answerB" class="quizAnswer">Burning</span> <div class="answerBar"> <div id="quizBarB" class="quizBar"></div><span id="quizPercB" class="quizperc">0%</span> </div> </div> </div> <div id="ansButtonC" class="answerButton activeButton" data-answer="Cnum" data-date="2020-05-18"><span class="ansLetter">C</span> <div class="answerCell"><span id="answerC" class="quizAnswer">Ripping</span> <div class="answerBar"> <div id="quizBarC" class="quizBar"></div><span id="quizPercC" class="quizperc">0%</span> </div> </div> </div> <div id="ansButtonD" class="answerButton activeButton" data-answer="Dnum" data-date="2020-05-18"><span class="ansLetter">D</span> <div class="answerCell"><span id="answerD" class="quizAnswer">Scaling</span> <div class="answerBar"> <div id="quizBarD" class="quizBar"></div><span id="quizPercD" class="quizperc">0%</span> </div> </div> </div> <div class="quizResult"><div class="qmsg"> <b class="quizPass">Correct!</b> <b class="quizFail">Incorrect!</b>   <span class="customMessage"></span>  View the <a href="/definition/ripping">Ripping definition</a>.</div> <a href="/quiz/#morequizzes" class="quizNext btnprimary">More Quizzes →</a> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div id="right"> <div class="prevnext"> <a href="drive-by_download"><span class="arrow">‹</span>  <span class="linktext">Drive-By Download</span></a><span> | </span><a href="drm"><span class="linktext">DRM</span>  <span class="arrow">›</span></a></div> <div class="tf card"> <h2 class="heading">Tech Factor</h2> <a href="/help/tech_factor" class="info" title="What is the Tech Factor?">?</a> <a href="/techfactor/3"><span class="factor">3</span><span class="denom"> / 10</span></a></div> <div class="listBox card related"> <h2 class="heading">Related Terms</h2> <div class="rlists"> <ol> <li><a href="/definition/computer">Computer</a></li> <li><a href="/definition/hardware">Hardware</a></li> <li><a href="/definition/component">Component</a></li> <li><a href="/definition/peripheral">Peripheral</a></li> </ol> <ol start="5"><li><a href="/definition/controller_card">Controller Card</a></li> <li><a href="/definition/controlpanel">Control Panel</a></li> <li><a href="/definition/operating_system">Operating System</a></li> <li><a href="/definition/dll">DLL</a></li> </ol> </div> </div> <div class="adRightSky"> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1589233879778-0'> </div> </div> </div> <div class="techterms card"> <h2 class="heading">The Tech Terms Computer Dictionary</h2> <p>The definition of Driver on this page is an original definition written by the <a href="/authors/">TechTerms.com team</a>. If you would like to reference this page or cite this definition, please use the green citation links above.</p> <p>The goal of TechTerms.com is to explain computer terminology in a way that is easy to understand. We strive for simplicity and accuracy with every definition we publish. If you have feedback about this definition or would like to suggest a new technical term, please <a href="/contact">contact us</a>.</p> </div> </div> <div class="popupwrapper"> <div id="newsletter_popup"> <button class="close">×</button> <div id="ttnform"> <h3 class="heading">Sign up for the free TechTerms Newsletter</h3> <form id="subscribe"> <div class="field"><label for="newsletter_email">Email (required):</label> <input type="email" id="newsletter_email" name="newsletter_email" required aria-label="email address"> </div> <div class="row1"> <div class="field"><label for="first_name">First Name:</label> <input type="text" name="first_name" id="first_name"></div> <div class="field"><label for="first_name">Last Name:</label> <input type="text" name="last_name" id="last_name"></div> </div> <fieldset class="row2"> <legend>How often would you like to receive an email?</legend> <input type="radio" name="frequency" id="daily" value="d" checked><label for="daily">Daily</label> <input type="radio" name="frequency" id="weekly" value="w"><label for="weekly">Weekly (Every Tuesday)</label> <input type="text" id="newsletter_message" name="message" class="cfieldhid" aria-hidden="true" aria-label="If you are a human, please do not fill in this field." tabindex="-1"> </fieldset> <input type="submit" class="btnprimary" value="Subscribe"> <div id="ttnerror"> </div> <p>You can unsubscribe or change your frequency setting at any time using the links available in each email.<br><br>Questions? Please <a href="/contact">contact us</a>.</p> </form> </div> <div id="ttnconfirm" style="display: none;"> <h3>Thank You</h3> <p>We just sent you an email to confirm your email address. Once you confirm your address, you will begin to receive the newsletter.</p> <p>If you have any questions, please <a href="/contact">contact us</a>.</p> <button class="ok btnprimary">Ok</button> </div> </div> </div> </main> <footer id="sitefooter"><a href="https://sharpened.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span class="copyright">© 2024 Sharpened Productions</span></a>  |  <a href="/terms">Terms of Use</a>  |  <a href="/privacy">Privacy Policy</a>  |  <button id="ot-sdk-btsn" class="ot-sdk-show-settings">Cookie Settings</button>  |  <a href="/about">About</a>  |  <a href="/contact">Contact</a></footer> </div> <script defer src="https://techterms.com/js/tt.js"></script><script> var cterm = 'Driver'; var curl = 'driver'; quizDate = '2020-05-18'; T = cterm; C = "441bdaf98bf53ad90d0b1b08258488e8"; </script> <script defer src="https://techterms.com/js/quiz.js?v=1"></script> </body> </html>