SOVLED! How To Update OpenGL in 4 Mins

In discussions about OpenGL, how to update OpenGL is a question that comes up from time to time. Depending on the situation, Windows users could update OpenGL in three ways: Device Manager, Check For Windows updates, and third-party driver managers. Not exactly tech-savvy and could use some help updating OpenGL on your PC? Then you should find this article helpful. 

A Guide On Updating OpenGL

Device Manager

• Step 1: Press Windows key, type devmgmt.msc and press Enter to open Device Manager. 
• Step 2: Expand Display adapters, right-click your GPU and pick Update driver. 
• Step 3: Hit Search automatically for updated driver software then restart your computer after the process finishes.

Alternatively,

• Step 1: Launch your web browser, visit the official website of the manufacturer of your GPU and download the latest driver available for it.
• Step 2: Right-click the downloaded driver setup, pick Run as administrator and follow on-screen instructions 
• Step 3: Restart your computer. 

Check For Windows Updates

• Step 1: Press Windows + I to open Settings, click Update & Security then pick Check for updates in Windows Update.
• Step 2: If an update for Windows is available, download and install it.
• Step 3: The moment the process completes, restart your computer.

Third-Party Driver Managers

Nowadays, there is no shortage of third-party driver managers for Windows but regarding utility, not many could match Driver Easy. For ease of convenience, we will use Driver Easy here but feel free to give others a go if you want to. 

• Step 1: Visit the official website of Driver Easy to download and install the driver manager. 
• Step 2: Run Driver Easy, select Scan Now and allow the scan to go all the way. 
• Step 3: Once the report is ready, choose Update next to the driver of your GPU then restart your computer. 

Note: If you use the premium version of Driver Easy, you could update all the drivers at the same time. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How Do I Check The OpenGL Version On My PC?

• Step 1: Right-click an empty on the desktop then pick Intel Graphics Settings.
• Step 2: Hit Options and Support.
• Step 3: Look for the line OpenGL Version to learn which version of GL is used by your computer. 

Why Should I Update OpenGL?

Also known as Open Graphics Library, OpenGL is a 3D Graphics API (Application Program Interface) used by quite a few applications. If you neglect OpenGL updates, your PC may struggle to run the latest software. 

Is OpenGL Good For Developing Games?

Compared to the likes of DirectX, OpenGL is easier to use as it only handles graphics. In addition, leading game engines such as Unity, Unreal, … support OpenGL so compatibility is less of an issue. Looking for an API to develop your own games? Then you won’t regret picking up OpenGL.

What Should I Use If I Don’t Like OpenGL?

If you find OpenGL less than ideal, you may want to try out the following:

• DirectX.
• Vulkan.
• Mantle.
• Allegro.
• Amethyst.

Does NVIDIA support OpenGL?

NVIDIA supports OpenGL and a complete set of OpenGL extensions, allowing you to get the most out of their GPUs. In the foreseeable future, NVIDIA should continue to support OpenGL via technical articles as well as examples on NVIDIA Graphics SDK.