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.

Differences in Driver API. For most of these operating systems two types of driver are available: Virtual COM Port (VCP) drivers and direct (D2XX) drivers. The VCP driver emulates a standard PC serial port such that the USB device may be communicated with as a standard RS232 device.

Windows 8 is one of Microsoft's newer operating systems so most manufacturers regularly release driver updates for their hardware that are specifically designed for Windows 8.

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 much more.

Please let us know if you've noticed more recent Windows 8 driver information from a particular manufacturer but I haven't yet updated this page.

For most hardware, a driver update is not required just because you've updated to Windows 8.1 or Windows 8.1 Update. We 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's Upgrade Assistant tool can be used to see if your computer is a compatible model.

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.

Just because your Acer computer is 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.

AMD Radeon Driver (Video)

You can download the latest AMD Radeon driver for Windows 8 through the link above.

This Windows 8 driver is compatible with most AMD/ATI Radeon HD GPUs, including those in the R9 series, as well as the HD 7000, HD 6000, and HD 5000 series. That includes both desktop and mobile GPUs.

There are both 32-bit and 64-bit versions of this Windows 8 driver available. Be sure that you install the correct one for your version of Windows 8.

ASUS Drivers (Motherboards)

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. There are 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.

BIOSTAR Drivers (Motherboards & Graphics)

While there isn't a list of BIOSTAR motherboards and video cards that are compatible with Windows 8, most of their recent hardware has Windows 8 drivers available.

Most BIOSTAR boards that worked with Windows 7 should also work with Windows 8.

C-Media Drivers (Audio)

Windows 8 drivers for products based on C-Media's audio chipset are available via their driver download page, linked below.

Windows 8 drivers are available for chipsets CM102A+/S+, CM108AH, CM6120XL, CM6206-LX, CM6300, CMI8738-MX, plus several more. However, Windows 8's native drivers might work best.

The Windows 8 drivers linked to here are directly from C-Media. A C-Media chip may be a part of your sound card or motherboard but it's possible there's a Windows 8 driver that's a better fit for your sound device from your sound card or motherboard manufacturer.

Canon (Printers & Scanners)

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.

While Canon does not seem to keep a list of their devices that work with Windows 8 out-of-the-box, 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)

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)

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.

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)

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.

Usb Gamepad Driver Windows 8.1 Download

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.

Dell Drivers (Printers)

Many of Dell's most popular printers are supported natively in Windows 8. In other words, you won't need to install a Windows 8 driver for many Dell printers.

On Dell's Microsoft Windows 8 Compatibility with Dell Printers page, any printer listed as Windows 8 compatible will not need a Dell-provided Windows 8 driver because Windows 8 will recognize and install the appropriate driver automatically.

Dell printers listed as Not supported may or may not have a Dell-provided Windows 8 driver. Check Dell's standard support site, linked below, for a Windows 8 driver for that printer model.

A number of models of Dell color laser printers, monochrome laser printers, and inkjet printers are fully compatible with Windows 8.

eMachines Drivers (Desktops and Notebooks)

Windows 8 drivers for a number of eMachine's notebooks and desktops are available via their normal support site which I've linked to below.

eMachines lists a number of Windows 8 compatible systems on their Windows Upgrade Offer page. Your computer not being listed doesn't necessarily mean that it won't function properly with Windows 8 installed.

Gateway Drivers (Desktops & Notebooks)

Windows 8 drivers for a number of Gateway desktops, notebooks, netbooks, and all-in-one computers are available via Gateway's support site, linked below.

Gateway lists a number of fully or mostly Windows 8 compatible systems on their Windows Upgrade Offer page.

If your Gateway computer is not listed, it doesn't necessarily mean that it won't work with Windows 8. The default drivers included by Microsoft may work without issue on your computer.

HP Drivers (Desktops & Laptops)

Windows 8 drivers for HP laptops and desktops (including 'touch screen' desktops) can be downloaded from HP's standard support site, linked below.

Many of HP's computers have both 32-bit and 64-bit Windows 8 drivers available.

Usb Driver For Windows 8.1 Download

Looking for Windows 8 drivers for your HP printer? See the HP entry below for special information pertaining to HP printers in Windows 8.

HP Drivers (Printers & Scanners)

Any available HP printer drivers for Windows 8 are downloadable from HP's standard support and drivers page, linked below.

The huge majority of printers and scanners manufactured in the several years prior to Windows 8's release will have a driver included for it in Windows 8 or will have a driver available direct from HP. This includes many popular HP Inkjet, Designjet, Deskjet, LaserJet, ENVY, Officejet, Photosmart, PSC, and Scanjet printers, scanners, and all-in-one devices.

From this page, you can see if your specific HP printer or scanner will work with a native Windows 8 driver (in operating system driver), via an update from Windows Update (Windows Update driver), or from a Windows 8 driver downloaded directly from HP (full-feature driver).

HP's Printing in Windows 8 page is also very helpful.

Intel Chipset 'Drivers' (Intel Motherboards)

The latest Intel Chipset Windows driver for Windows 8 is version 10.1.1.45 (Released 2019-03-20).

This update isn't actually a Windows 8 driver, it's a collection of INF file updates which help Windows 8 properly identify Intel chipset hardware like USB controllers and other hardware integrated on Intel motherboards.

This single update works with both 32-bit and 64-bit versions of Windows 8.

Intel Drivers (Motherboards, Graphics, Network, Etc.)

Windows 8 drivers are available from Intel (via their support page, linked below) for a number of their devices, including motherboards, graphics processors, network hardware, and more.

We have yet to see a nicely organized list of Windows 8 compatible Intel motherboards or other hardware, but we'd expect anything manufactured in the several years prior to the release of Windows 8 to be fully compatible.

Lenovo (Desktops and Laptops)

Windows 8 drivers for hardware included in Lenovo desktop and laptop computers can be downloaded via Lenovo's support site, linked below.

There are Lenovo computers that they have determined are compatible with Windows 8.

Lexmark Drivers (Printers)

A number of Lexmark laser, inkjet, and dot matrix printers are fully compatible with Windows 8.

Most of Lexmark's printers are supported natively by Windows 8, meaning a driver perfect for your Lexmark printer came included with Windows 8. A few others require Windows 8 drivers made by Lexmark, which you can download by locating the page for your printer from Lexmark's support site, linked below.

Microsoft Drivers (Keyboards, Mice, Etc.)

Microsoft doesn't just make operating systems like Windows 8. They also sell hardware like mice, keyboards, webcams, and more.

Windows 8 drivers for Microsoft's products can all be found via the individual product pages found on their Microsoft Hardware Software Downloads page.

Microtek Drivers (Scanners)

Microtek's newer scanners and other products have Windows 8 drivers available, all of which are available from their support link below.

Microtek has no plans to release Windows 8 drivers for their older, but very popular scanners. If you have an older Microtek scanner that has a Windows 7 driver available, try that.

NVIDIA GeForce Driver (Video)

The latest NVIDIA GeForce driver for Windows 8 is version 436.30 (Released 2019-09-10).

This particular NVIDIA driver is compatible with the TITAN series and the GeForce 10, 900, 700, and 600 series desktop GPUs, as well as GeForce MX100, 10, 900M, 800M, 700M, and 600M series notebook GPUs.

This Windows 8 driver from NVIDIA is actually a suite, containing the actual display driver, but also additional software from NVIDIA to help manage video settings, game profiles, and more.

There are both 32-bit and 64-bit Windows 8 drivers available from NVIDIA so be sure to choose the right one for your system.

It's possible that there's a better Windows 8 driver for your NVIDIA-based video card or onboard video than these drivers. If you have problems with these drivers, or your system isn't listed as a supported by them, check with the actual hardware maker.

Realtek High Definition Driver (Audio)

The latest Realtek High Definition Windows 8 driver is version R2.82 (Released 2017-07-26).

Both 32-bit and 64-bit versions of this Windows 8 driver are available.

A better Windows 8 driver for your Realtek HD powered sound card or motherboard than these drivers. Check for a driver package from your sound card or motherboard maker if you have problems with these drivers in Windows 8.

Samsung (Notebooks, Tablets, Desktops)

Windows 8 drivers for Samsung tablets, notebooks, desktops, and all-in-one computers can be downloaded via Samsung's support site, linked below.

See Samsung's Windows 8 Upgrade page for a list of PC models that are 'supported for Windows 8 upgrade.' Even if your Samsung computer isn't listed, it may work perfectly well with default drivers provided in Windows 8.

Sony Drivers (Desktops & Notebooks)

Windows 8 drivers for Sony notebook or desktop PCs can be downloaded via Sony's eSupport site, linked below.

Sony also has a Windows 8 Upgrade page with information about Sony computers and Windows 8, including a tool to see if Windows 8 drivers are available for your specific Sony computer.

If you see the Congratulations! The [MODEL] is supported for Windows 8 message, that means that Sony has tested your computer with Windows 8 and provides Windows 8 drivers.

If you see ​The [MODEL] is not supported for Windows 8. Sony will not provide any support or drivers for installation of Windows 8 on this model. The message, that doesn't necessarily mean that Windows 8 won't install or work properly on your computer with Microsoft-provided drivers. It just means that Sony won't be actively supporting Windows 8 on your PC.

Toshiba Drivers (Laptops)

Windows 8 drivers for Toshiba laptop computers can be downloaded via Toshiba's standard support site, linked below.

You can view a list of the latest Toshiba Windows 8 drivers by visiting their Recent Drivers & Updates page and refining your search first to Windows 8 (64-bit) or Windows 8 (32-bit) and then by whatever category of driver you're after.

Toshiba also keeps a list of laptops that they've successfully tested with Windows 8: Computers tested and supported by Toshiba for an upgrade to Windows 8.

VIA Drivers (Audio, Graphics, Network, Etc.)

Windows 8 drivers for hardware that uses VIA's audio, networking, graphics, and card reader chipsets are available from their standard driver download page which I've linked to below.

VIA has both 32-bit and 64-bit Windows 8 drivers for the majority of their chipsets but according to their Windows 8 driver FAQ here, the following audio chipsets should be supported by native Windows 8 drivers and will not receive further updates: VT1708, VT1708A, VT1612A, VT1613, VT1616/B, VT1617/A, VT1618, VT82C686A/B, VT8231, VT8233/AC, VT8235 & VT8237/R, and VT8251.

These Windows 8 drivers are directly from VIA, a chipset manufacturer. A VIA chipset may be a part of your computer's motherboard or other hardware but VIA did not manufacture the device as a whole, just the chipset. Because of that, it's possible that your actual computer or device manufacturer has a better Windows 8 driver for your VIA-based device than VIA does.

Recently Released Windows 8 Drivers

• 2019-09-10: NVIDIA GeForce v436.30 Released
• 2019-03-20: Intel Chipset v10.1.1.45 Released
• 2017-07-26: Realtek HD Audio R2.82 Released

Can't Find a Windows 8 Driver?

Try using a Windows 7 driver instead. While we can't guarantee this will work, it often does considering how closely related Windows 7 and Windows 8 are.