What is driver

The function driver communicates directly with the device by writing to those addresses. However in many cases, a device does not connect directly to the PCI bus. Instead the device connects to a host bus adapter that is connected to the PCI bus. The function driver for the toaster communicates indirectly with the toaster by sending a request to the function driver for the USB host controller. The function driver for the USB host controller then communicates directly with the USB host controller hardware, which communicates with the toaster.

Feedback will be sent to Microsoft: By pressing the submit button, your feedback will be used to improve Microsoft products and services. Privacy policy. Skip to main content. This browser is no longer supported. Download Microsoft Edge More info. Contents Exit focus mode. What is a driver? Expanding the definition Our explanation so far is oversimplified in several ways: Not all drivers have to be written by the company that designed the device.

Not all drivers communicate directly with a device. Software drivers Our expanded definition is reasonably accurate but is still incomplete because some drivers are not associated with any hardware device at all. Bus drivers There is a category of driver we have not mentioned yet, the bus driver. More on function drivers Our explanation so far over simplifies the definition of function driver. Is this page helpful? Yes No. You can unsubscribe or change your frequency setting at any time using the links available in each email.

Please contact us. We just sent you an email to confirm your email address. Once you confirm your address, you will begin to receive the newsletter. Definitions by TechTerms. Tech Factor? First Name:. Last Name:. Thank You We just sent you an email to confirm your email address. If you have any questions, please contact us. However, some computers require a separate installation of the software which is typically obtained by going to a device's manufacturer's website.

For example, a hardware device such as a printer is started and controlled by the software driver for that specific model of printer. When you connect the printer cable to your computer, your computer will typically detect the new printer and start the installation of the software drive from the operating system library.

The advantage of allowing the operating system to install the driver is that any software driver updates are downloaded as part of any operating system update and not from the peripheral maker's website. Using this process of including software drivers in the operating system makes it almost effortless to update any software driver since the updates are included in the operating system updates.

Software drivers that are downloaded and installed from the peripheral or device maker's website require that you visit the website for any update to download and install it. Sometimes the hardware maker includes a small software program with the hardware that will check for any updates and notify you if one is available. Another way hardware makers notify you of software driver updates is with an email notification if you provide your email to them when you register your product for warranty support.

In older operating systems, each software program had to have it's own instructions for communicating with accessories and peripherals. That meant that each software program needed to include instructions in the program that allowed it to communicate with specific accessories and it was up to the software program maker to include the necessary drivers in their application. As personal computers proliferated, it was clear to the entire technology industry that continuing this path would make computers more difficult and complex, rather than simpler and easier.

As a result, operating system makers created a way for any hardware accessory or component to be used by any software application. The computer user could now install the software driver for any hardware accessory or component they purchased.

With the ability to install the software driver in the operating system, the hardware accessory or component maker would provide the software driver for their product on a disk drive or CD.