DriverMax 7 Review

Sometimes video games do not seem to run on the computer due to the graphics card, so you may be led to believe it is a hardware issue. However, downloading the latest driver can be enough to get the game up and running.

This rule is applicable to all system drivers, as they will fix software-related issues. Therefore, keeping the PC in touch with latest drivers is highly important (perhaps it should be mandatory). DriverMax is a small software utility that offers to take care of this matter, by scanning the workstation for all drivers, identifying the outdated ones, downloading the latest versions, and installing them.

NOTE: DriverMax Pro was tested on Windows 8.1 Pro.

Before purchasing the full version for $19.90 / €14.35 (without VAT), users may run the demo to test DriverMax's abilities. However, the number of downloads is limited to two drivers. The app's setup is clean and quick.

As far as the interface is concerned, DriverMax opts for a look that blends with the Windows 8 look, including navigation buttons similar to the one of Microsoft Word 2013. The main menu provides access to drive downloads and information, backup and restoration, popular hardware data, settings, and driver scanning.

Driver downloads and information
When it comes to driver scanning, the software program browses the computer for all drivers and shows results for both outdated items and the ones with the latest versions already installed. It also looks into unknown hardware and missing drivers.

Information includes names, versions and release dates, along with the device, device type and manufacturer for each entry. Alternative drivers for selected devices may be inspected on the developer's website, while devices can be ignored from future scans.

A driver will be downloaded with the click of a button. Although the tool does not provide options in this matter, it is possible to create a pending list with multiple drivers to download. DriverMax can immediately install one or more selected drivers (or all downloaded ones) but not before offering to create system restore points, in order to revert settings if Windows starts experiencing issues after the new changes. A system reboot is necessary to finalize driver installation. Luckily, the app does not automatically do this, so there is no risk of losing unsaved data.

Driver backup and restore

The application integrates accessible functions for creating backups for drivers and restoring them at any later time for the same reason as previously mentioned: OS compatibility issues. This method can sometimes be more effective than creating system restore points, since Windows is known to be faulty in its attempt to finalize the task.

Showing the DriverMax panel for creating driver backups

Showing the DriverMax panel for restoring drivers

The solution proposed by DriverMax is quite simple. Users may select all drivers or just the ones they are planning to update, point out a file name and saving directory (or the app's default location), and create the backup in a ZIP-compressed file. They can be examined in another pane found in the tool, selected and restored with the click of a button.

Showing the DriverMax panel for rolling back drivers

Showing the DriverMax points for restoring the system

Another restoration method implies rolling back changes of a driver to an older version. It allows users to restore just a specific one in an isolated environment that does not affect anything else on the PC. DriverMax also lists system restore points (including the ones prior to the app's installation), but this feature is no different from the Windows restoration center.

Popular hardware

The popular hardware section does not contain any commands pertaining to DriverMax. Instead, it shows four buttons that launch the developer's website to find out the best hardware for Windows based on the Windows Experience Index, favorite video adapters, processors, and manufacturers among the community, as well as detailed information with laptop performance ratings and comparisons, in case there are intentions to purchase a new system.

Showing the DriverMax webpage with laptop manufacturers

The main menu has an additional function that loads computer data with scores for each hardware component, based on the Windows Experience Index.

Program settings

As far as DriverMax configuration options are concerned, the app automatically checks for updates by default. Users may specify the update frequency as well as set the tool to verify only signed drivers. It pops up messages from the system tray when new updates are found or after a successful download, and automatically runs at Windows startup. Any of these options can be disabled, along with transition animations. Settings can be reset to default.

The Good

The application is compatible with Windows from version XP to 8.1 (32- and 64-bit). It worked smoothly during our evaluation, while CPU and RAM usage was minimal.

The comfortable interface and options are intuitive enough for inexperienced users to work with the tool easily.

The Bad

Although the features are easy to figure out by anyone, no software program is complete without help documentation, which DriverMax does not possess.

Most tasks seem to take a longer time than necessary to finish, such as downloading drivers, installing them, or creating backups.

The Truth

Whether you frequently reinstall the operating system or just like to maintain Windows' performance within normal working parameters, DriverMax delivers simple solutions, by automatically detecting outdated drivers, looking up their latest versions online, and installing them immediately. It has greatly improved since our previous review, and it's definitely worth keeping around.

DriverMax 7 Review

key review info

application features

Driver backup and restore

Popular hardware

The Good

The Bad

The Truth