Driver Finder

DriverFinder (DriverFinderPro.com) REVIEW - What are real users saying?

In order for software or hardware devices to work on the computer, it needs something called a driver--a computer program which acts as a link between the device and the computer.  Every computer has drivers: Even the most basic computers contain at least an audio and video driver, which allows the audio and video on your computer to work correctly.

Like with all devices, however, updates are necessary to ensure everything continues to function; unfortunately, most people don't or won't update their drivers, mostly because it simply takes too long to do.  This, unfortunately, can lead to computer errors, such as audio playback problems, problems with computer gameplay, or even a slow computer.

Enter in DriverFinder--a downloadable software program that locates, identifies, and automatically downloads the latest driver updates to your computer.  With this program, you won't spend hours trying to download the right driver updates to your computer; instead, you simply command it to find any out-of-date drivers and then, after paying a small license fee, have it download these updates automatically to your computer--no need to download them manually yourself.

What is DriverFinder?

DriverFinder, as the name suggests, finds driver updates for you, called a driver locator.  If you're not sure how to download driver updates, or simply don't want to go through the hassle of locating them, then this program will do all of the "dirty" work for you--from locating drivers to downloading them from their respective manufacturer websites.  All you need to do is press a few buttons to initiate the process.

While evaluating this program, I found that it was very easy to use.  Downloading the program, as their website suggests, takes less than a minute; installation is just as fast.  DriverFinder is also compatible with multiple Windows operating systems, from Windows 2000 to Windows 7, so it can even be installed on older computers.

DriverFinder promises it can find multiple types of driver updates--from audio and video updates to webcam updates--by searching its database, which allegedly contains "thousands of various device manufacturers worldwide."  I tested this out by deliberately installing DriverFinder on a computer that I knew needed a webcam driver update.  However, after running its scanning feature, the program did not locate it.  So, as far as reliability goes, DriverFinder is not doing good so far.

DriverFinder's Features

Like most driver location programs, DriverFinder is fairly straightforward: The program itself only contains a few features, all pertaining to locating and installing driver updates.  After evaluating the interface, I found it be very easy to use and navigate; all of the necessary options are located in a side menu, with clearly marked buttons and icons to indicate each button's purpose.  When you click on these buttons, the function associated with the button is executed instantaneously--it doesn't stutter or freeze during the initiation process.

On the top part of the screen is the program's main feature: the scanning service.  Click on this and it begins scanning your computer immediately for driver updates, which takes a short moment to do.  After it locates which driver updates need to be installed, it will then ask you if you want to download these updates.  If you say yes, it will urgently prompt you to pay its license fee, which is $29.95 for up to a year of use.  If you want to use it for more than a year, then you'll have to pay another $29.95 license fee to "renew" your license, which I found odd and deceptive, to say the very least.

However, you can decline to use its downloading service and download the driver updates manually--provided you know where to look.

Is DriverFinder Good?

As a driver location program, DriverFinder is not without its faults.  Although it advertises itself as being able to find and download multiple types of driver updates, it was not able to identify a critical webcam update which I knew already existed.  It did locate multiple types of driver updates, but not the one I was looking for--that's not good.  DriverFinder also charges you if you want to download any updates through a deceptive fee--a one-time $29.95 fee according to them, but after looking at the fine print, it says this fee only covers up to a year of use.  This really isn't a license fee; it's more of a subscription fee.

On the bright side, however, DriverFinder was easy to use; I had no problem using any of its features.  I think any computer novice should be able to master this program easily.

Overall, I don't give DriverFinder a good rating based on its deceptive "license" fee and its inability to find a critical update I knew previously existed.  This program isn't horrible, but it's not good either.