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Update the graphics driver | Windows 7, Vista

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This document describes how to install an updated version of the graphics driver on a computer that runs Windows 7 or Vista.

The graphics driver is system software that controls a computer's graphics card (sometimes called a video card or GPU). On a computer that does not have an actual graphics card, the graphics driver controls the part of a computer's motherboard called a graphics chipset. The graphics chipset is sometimes called an onboard, built-in, or integrated graphics controller or chipset.

Disclaimer: Adobe does not support the installation of graphics drivers and provides the information in this document only as a courtesy. For assistance with the installation of a graphics driver, contact the manufacturer of the computer or the manufacturer of the computer's graphics card.

Identify the graphics hardware manufacturer and model

To identify the manufacturer and model of the computer's graphics card or chipset, use the DirectX Diagnostic Tool included with Windows 7 and Vista:

  1. Choose Start, type dxdiag in the Search text box, and then press Enter.



    Note: If you receive the message "Do you want to allow DxDiag to check if your drivers are digitally signed?" click Yes if you're connected to the Internet. Otherwise, click No.

     
  2. In the DirectX Diagnostic Tool, select the Display tab (or the Display 1 tab).
  3. Note the information in the Name field of the Device section. This information shows the manufacturer and model of the graphics card or chipset.
  4. (Optional) Note the information in the Date and Version fields in the Drivers section.
  5. If an additional Display tab (such as Display 2) is available, then select that tab and repeat Steps 4 and 5.
  6. Close the DirectX Diagnostic Tool.

Download and run a driver installer

To download and run the installer for a graphics driver:

Note: You must have administrator access on the computer to run a driver installer.

  1. Close all applications.
  2. In a web browser, go to one of these locations:



    • The website of the manufacturer of the computer's graphics card.
    • The website of the computer's manufacturer.


    Note: The computer manufacturer's website is the recommended source of driver updates for notebooks and other portable computers.
  3. On the manufacturer's site, go to the support section (or downloads section) and locate driver downloads for the exact model of the graphics card or computer.
  4. Click the link to download the driver installer. Generally, Adobe recommends that you download the most recent driver version that is available. However, Adobe recommends that you avoid installing "beta" or other pre-release driver versions.



    Important: Most manufacturers provide different driver installers for 32-bit editions of Windows 7 and Vista than for 64-bit editions. Download the driver for the edition of Windows 7 or Vista that runs on the computer. To identify the edition installed on the computer, see Determine whether your computer is running a 32-bit or a 64-bit edition of Windows (kb407673).

     
  5. If your web browser asks you where to save the file, choose to save it to the Desktop.
  6. When the download process is complete, double-click the installer file that you downloaded. Follow the onscreen instructions in the installer.



    Note: To install the driver, the operating system sometimes requires you to select Continue or Allow. Or, it sometimes  requires you to enter the name and password of an administrator user account.

     
  7. Restart the computer.

Additional information

Updating the graphics driver can resolve display issues in Adobe applications. In some cases, updating the graphics driver can resolve stability issues in Adobe applications.

Display issues include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • A black, gray, or transparent area appears instead of the expected video or image.
  • Menus, panels, or other interface elements remain on the screen after moving or closing them instead of disappearing instantly.
  • Interface elements, such as menus or icons, are not displayed or appear on the screen more slowly than expected.

See Also

Keywords: kb409116

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