Downloading Zip-files and installing the drivers manually

on Acer Aspire Windows 8 - All the drivers I have to instal, do not include an installation program and I have to instal the drivers manually. I don't know if I am doing it right or if there is an easier way of doing it but I have to right click the downloaded Zip file for Bluetooth, extract all files, search for the Bluetooth folder in Device Manager to instal the driver. I have got six drivers (not all Bluetooth) to instal and just want it get it right. before I upgrade to Windows 8.1 again.

You got the process right, if it's proper driver it should install, no problem. For some drivers (that support that) you can also right click on appropriate *.*.INF file and choose "Install", it could save some work.

Thanks for your reply. Can you tell me how I should know if a driver needs to be installed manually or not.

Well, there are some self-unpacking archives (exe), that just unpack files to specified folder and than start installation program and some that you have to start it manually or from device manager. Than there are some just archived and you have to unpack them manually and install from there by hand. In any case, when you install them manually program will look for .inf file where i tells it what and where to install. You can open those .inf files with text editor and see in plain language what's written in it.
Hope that helps.

Thanks I just want to get the Bluetooth driver sorted before upgrading to 8.1 again. Last time I upgraded to 8.1 I couldn't use Bluetooth and was advised to roll-back to 8 if I wanted Bluetooth as there was an incompatibility issue. Must admit I much prefer 8.1 to 8.

Usually there is a setup.exe or install.exe file in the root folder. If there is an autorun.ini file open it in notepad and it will tell you what file to run.

Just watch it if you install new drivers before upgrading to 8.1, could happen that windows installs it's own drivers during setup, specially if you are connected to internet at that time. Best thing would be to keep drivers unzipped in own folders on a thumb drive or other disk so jou are ready afterwards.

CountMike said:

Just watch it if you install new drivers before upgrading to 8.1, could happen that windows installs it's own drivers during setup, specially if you are connected to internet at that time. Best thing would be to keep drivers unzipped in own folders on a thumb drive or other disk so jou are ready afterwards.

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Good point, if I was going to install 8 and then immediately update to 8.1 though the store. I'd wait till the dust settles before manually installing any drivers.
I download and store my drivers on thumb drives. I have one for each PC. I install Windows from thumb drives too. I find it convenient and fast. No disk to worry about scratching either.

Thanks for your advice, I downloaded all the drivers and put them unzipped and zipped in a separate new folder but shall do what you suggest

Best thing would be to keep drivers unzipped in own folders on a thumb drive or other disk so jou are ready afterwards.

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I haven't upgraded to 8.1 yet and now I hear that there will be Windows 9.

nougart said:

Thanks for your advice, I downloaded all the drivers and put them unzipped and zipped in a separate new folder but shall do what you suggest

Best thing would be to keep drivers unzipped in own folders on a thumb drive or other disk so jou are ready afterwards.

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I haven't upgraded to 8.1 yet and now I hear that there will be Windows 9.

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Lol, that's how it goes. I guess they finally figured out how to get out of bad flap they caused with W8 and hope for new start.

Keep in mind that 8.1 is free if you already have 8.0. There is talk that 9 should be a free upgrade too, but I'll believe that when I see it. I wouldn't put off updating to 8.1 in anticipation of 9.

I also recommend unzipping the drivers into their own folders. It speeds things up when the time comes. I'd install the chipset drivers first, then video, sound, network etc.