device driver
- Noun:
- (Computing) A software program that enables a computer's operating system to communicate with and control a specific hardware component or peripheral device. It acts as a translator between the high-level commands from the OS and the specific electrical signals the hardware understands. Without the correct driver, a device like a printer, graphics card, or scanner may not function properly or at all.
- Noun:
- I need to update the device driver for my new graphics card to improve performance.
- The printer isn't working because the computer is missing the necessary device driver.
- Windows automatically installed a generic device driver for the webcam.
"to install/load a device driver": The process of adding the driver software to the operating system so it can recognize and use the hardware.
- You must install the device driver from the manufacturer's website for full functionality.
"driver conflict": A situation where two or more device drivers interfere with each other, causing system instability.
- The blue screen error was caused by a driver conflict between the new sound card and the old network adapter.
"signed driver": A device driver that has been digitally certified by the operating system vendor (e.g., Microsoft) to ensure its authenticity and stability.
- For better security, the system administrator only allows signed drivers to be installed on company computers.
Driver (n): A common shortened form of "device driver."
- Make sure you have the latest driver for your Wi-Fi adapter.
Driver software (n): A synonymous phrase emphasizing the programmatic nature of a device driver.
- The driver software for this scanner is included on the installation disc.
Kernel-mode driver (n): A type of device driver that operates with high-level privileges in the core of the operating system, typically for critical hardware.
- User-mode driver (n): A type of device driver that operates with lower privileges, often for less critical peripherals, to improve system stability.
- Controller: Often used interchangeably in a hardware/software context.
- Hardware driver: A more explicit synonym.
- Peripheral driver: Specifically emphasizes drivers for external devices.
"Plug and Play": A standard that allows a system to automatically configure and install device drivers for new hardware.
- Most USB devices are Plug and Play, so the operating system finds the device driver automatically.
"Roll back a driver": To revert to a previous version of a device driver, often to fix problems caused by an update.
- After the update, my mouse stopped working, so I had to roll back the driver.
(Note: As a technical term, "device driver" is not commonly used in idiomatic expressions. Its usage is almost exclusively literal within computing contexts.)
- (computer science) a program that determines how a computer will communicate with a peripheral device