How to find compatible hardware drivers for Windows 8 Consumer Preview?

[FLU|TER]

Recently I have installed Windows 8 consumer preview in my Desktop computer in order to test it. It installed fine. Then I tried to install hardware drivers one by one but some drivers were not compatible with Windows 8. I have got them from the manufacturer’s website and some of them from the disc. Still they were not able to install. So how can I find a compatible components driver for Windows 8?

[Vitel]

Did you try the Automatic Updates? First of all check that whether your Windows Automatic Updates are turned on or not. To enable it, just press the Windows key + w and type Windows Update. Open it and change the settings. Wait for few minutes and then check that whether Windows updater installed latest updates or not. If it doesn’t help you to get the driver, then you should go into the manufacturer’s website. I don’t think that there is any driver for Windows 8 version yet but you can give it a try with Windows 7 drivers. Also don’t forget to use Hardware and Devices troubleshooter in Windows.

[DakshaMira]

If you are having problem with only driver, then go to Device Manager and right click on the device where driver is not installed. Clikc on properties<> Details tab<> from dropdown, select Hardware ID. Now there you need to right click on the ID # and copy it. Lastly open the browser and search for the driver using that Hardware ID # in the search field.

[Ticod]

For a graphics card, the AMD has a provided its first driver for Windows 8 Consumer Preview. So far this driver has support for the new generation of graphics cards, the Radeon HD 7900 Series and Radeon HD 7700 Series. The driver offers full support for Windows Display Driver Model (WDDM) 1.2, among other things, including stereoscopic 3D hardware acceleration for the new Metro-interface of Windows 8 and optimized power consumption. In addition the driver, Windows 8 will also support Eyefinity, OpenCL, OpenGL , CrossFire and AMD Overdrive function. The Catalyst driver for Windows 8 Consumer Preview is available as usual in the download archive. AMD announced in conjunction with the release also announced that the Catalyst 12.2 WHQL -certified version.

[Loveyboo]

The Windows 8 Consumer Preview is already out but most users find it difficult to use them in their system due to lack of support drivers. Some hardware drivers were not yet supported. But Microsoft released an analyzer along with its OS which will check your system to see if the hardware and software applications are compatible with the new version of the operating system.

[CGale]

It is true that the Windows 8 Consumer Preview comes with analyzer program. This program checks the system by analyzing the hardware and software problems that could complicate the installation and provides reports. The report contains a list of elements that are known to be compatible or not compatible with Windows 8. Remember, Consumer Preview is still a beta product and is sure that there are tons of bugs. Once the scan is complete, you can print the report and exit the program, or continue with the Windows 8 CP download through the integrated download manager. If you have already downloaded the ISO, you should simply exit the program.

[Clarice]

I assume that you are getting problem with the graphics drivers only. If other drivers are not compatible, then you can still run your computer but if there is no graphics drivers installed then you will not get the proper display. If you are using the AMD graphic processor, then drivers are already available for Windows 8. But Nvidia has not released any drivers specifically for Windows 8, but is recommended for all users running Windows 8 to use the R295.73 NVIDIA video driver.

[Aniela]

There is also a Compatibility Center for the Windows 8Consumer Preview of which was made shortly after the publication of the Consumer Preview online. Here you get information about programs, tools and drivers for compatibility with the Windows 8 Consumer Preview. Numerous programs are included, where users ultimately define what is compatible or not. Divided into different categories, you can get here on burning programs, games, security tools and more information.