Keeping Your ELAN SMBus Driver Up-to-Date on Windows 10
As a Windows 10 user, we know how vital it is to keep our drivers fully updated. Outdated drivers can lead to poor system performance, hardware malfunctions, and even crashes. One key driver to stay on top of is the ELAN SMBus controller driver, which manages communications between devices using the System Management Bus interface.
When your ELAN SMBus driver falls behind, you may see Driver Booster or Windows Update reporting that a newer version is available. However, you don’t have to pay for premium software or hunt down questionable third-party websites to get the latest driver. With a few simple steps, you can update your ELAN SMBus controller driver through free and legitimate channels.
Check Your Current ELAN SMBus Driver Version
Before updating your ELAN SMBus driver, it’s wise to check which version you currently have installed. Here’s a quick way to find out:
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Press WIN + R to open the Run dialog box.
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Type
devmgmt.mscand click OK to launch Device Manager. -
In Device Manager, expand the System Devices section.
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Locate the SMBus controller entry, right-click on it, and select Properties.
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Go to the Driver tab and look at the Driver Version to see your current ELAN SMBus driver version.
Make a note of this so you can verify that your update was successful later.
Update from Your Manufacturer’s Website
The ideal way to update any driver is to get it directly from the source – your PC or laptop manufacturer. Most offer driver downloads on their support pages.
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Look up the support website for your specific computer model.
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Navigate to the Drivers & Downloads section.
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Search for the SMBus driver.
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Download and run the driver installer.
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Restart your PC to complete the update.
Updating from the manufacturer ensures compatibility and stability. However, they don’t always have the very latest third-party drivers available. If you can’t find an ELAN SMBus update this way, there are a couple other good options.
Use the Windows Update Catalog
Microsoft hosts Windows drivers on their Update Catalog webpage, all digitally signed and tested for reliability.
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Search for "SMBus."
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Find the appropriate ELAN SMBus driver for your version of Windows.
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Download and run the installer, then restart.
The Microsoft Update Catalog contains drivers that have passed Microsoft’s stringent validation process, so you can trust them. However, because the page isn’t the most user-friendly, locating the exact driver you need takes time and effort.
Use Trusted Third-Party Driver Sites
Reputable driver download sites like DriverGuide and SoftFamous simplify finding drivers, though you should be cautious and scan any downloads for malware before installing. These sites work to curate stable, virus-free drivers, but aren’t officially endorsed sources like manufacturers and Microsoft.
While paid driver updaters like Driver Booster may detect new ELAN SMBus versions, declines their requests for payment. Unapproved tools often deliver questionable, incompatible, or outright dangerous drivers. Manual updating using the above techniques works just as well and avoids needless expense or risk.
Updating the Driver in Device Manager
As a final alternative, you can try updating the ELAN SMBus driver directly through Device Manager:
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Open Device Manager using the
devmgmt.msccommand. -
Expand System Devices and locate the SMBus controller.
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Right-click it and select Update Driver.
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Click Browse my computer for driver software.
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Select Let me pick from a list of available drivers.
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Choose the updated ELAN SMBus driver you downloaded earlier.
This allows you to install a driver without an external installer, but risks compatibility issues versus using the manufacturer’s official utility.
Don’t Forget to Verify the New Version!
Once you’ve installed the update using any of the above techniques, confirm it was successful by checking the Driver tab in the controller’s Properties again. It should now show the newer ELAN SMBus driver version. If not, try uninstalling the driver completely using Device Manager then repeating the update process.
Keeping on top of essential driver updates like ELAN SMBus is key to enjoying smooth PC performance. We hope these tips help you update quickly, easily, and at no cost, without compromise. If you encounter any hiccups during the process, don’t hesitate to post a question to engage our helpful forum members.
