Windows 8 & 8.1 Drivers :: Where To Download the Latest Windows 8 Drivers for Popular Hardware
After you install Windows 8, you may need to install the latest Windows 8 drivers for any hardware that Windows doesn't have built-in drivers for.
Windows 8 is Microsoft's newest operating system so manufacturers are now releasing drivers for their hardware to support this new version of Windows.
Not Sure How to Install a Driver? See How To Update Drivers in Windows 8 for help.
Below is a three page list of information on Windows 8 drivers and general Windows 8 compatibility information for major hardware and computer system makers, including Acer, Dell, Sony, NVIDIA, AMD, and many more.
Important: For most hardware, a driver update is not required just because you've updated to Windows 8.1. I still recommend installing the most recent Windows 8 driver for your hardware but don't worry if it doesn't specifically say it's a Windows 8.1 driver.
Acer (Desktops, Notebooks, Tablets)
Any Windows 8 drivers for Acer products can be found via their support site (linked below) just like their drivers for other operating systems.
Acer lists all of their Windows 8 compatible computer models on theirWindows Upgrade Offer page. Look toward the bottom of the page for a list of Acer computers incompatible with Windows 8.
Another helpful resource on Acer's site is their Affected Model List, which categorizes their Windows 8 compatible PCs by any issues you might encounter when installing Windows 8. If you're clean installing Windows 8, which I always recommend, your only concern should be the BIOS category. In other words, be sure to update your listed Acer computer's BIOS to the latest version before installing Windows 8.
Tip: Just because your Acer computer is listed as Windows 8 compatible doesn't mean Acer necessarily provides any Windows 8 drivers for your computer. If none are available from Acer, that means Windows 8 probably installs perfectly acceptable drivers during installation.
ASUS Drivers (Motherboards)
©ASUSTeK Computer Inc.
Windows 8 drivers can be downloaded via ASUS's support site, linked below.
Most of the Windows 8 drivers available right now from ASUS are beta drivers, but more and more are WQHL certified for Windows 8. On my last check, I saw Windows 8 drivers for several of ASUS's more popular Intel and AMD based motherboards.
You can see a current list of Windows 8 supported ASUS motherboards on their Windows 8-Ready Motherboards page. I'd guess that this page will stay updated for quite a while as Windows 8 becomes more commonplace.
BIOSTAR Drivers (Motherboards & Graphics)
© BIOSTAR Group
While I couldn't find a list of BIOSTAR motherboards and video cards that were compatible with Windows 8, I did find that most of their recent hardware has Windows 8 drivers available.
I would expect most BIOSTAR boards that worked with Windows 7 to also work with Windows 8.
Canon (Printers & Scanners)
© Canon U.S.A., Inc.
Canon does provide some Windows 8 drivers for their printers, scanners, and multi-function devices, all of which you can download from their support site that I've linked to here.
Tip: While Canon does not seem to keep a list of their devices that work with Windows 8 out-of-the-box, I do own a number of Canon products and, looking at information on Microsoft's site and in Windows 8 itself, it appears as though most of their popular printer and scanner models will work perfectly fine in Windows 8 with the drivers Windows provides.
Compaq Drivers (Desktops and Laptops)
© Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
Windows 8 drivers for Compaq computers can be downloaded via HP's support site, linked below.
Compaq used to be an independent computer company but is now part of HP.
Creative Sound Blaster Drivers (Audio)
© Creative Technology Ltd.
The most current Creative Sound Blaster Windows 8 drivers are listed on Creative's Driver Availability Chart for Windows 7 and Windows 8, linked below.
Creative has made available Windows 8 drivers for some of their popular Sound Blaster audio products but many of them are currently beta drivers.
Note: Creative also lists Windows 8 drivers on their availability chart for other devices from Creative including MP3 players, webcams, speakers, headsets, and more.
Dell Drivers (Desktops & Laptops)
© Dell
Windows 8 drivers for Dell computers can be downloaded via Dell's standard support site, linked below.
Many Alienware, Inspiron (desktop and laptop), Latitude, Optiplex, Precision, Vostro, and XPS models have Dell-provided Windows 8 drivers.
Dell also keeps a list of their computer systems that they have tested with Windows 8: Dell Computer Support for Windows 8 Upgrade. If your computer isn't listed, it doesn't mean that Windows 8 won't work with Microsoft's included drivers, it just means that Dell does not recommend installing it and will not provide Windows 8 drivers and support.
