Finding the right Acer system update gets confusing when Windows, hardware drivers, and Acer apps have separate update controls. Start with Windows Update, then check Acer’s downloads for your exact model. These Windows 11 steps cover each route, including what to do when an Acer utility is missing or a new driver causes trouble.
Start with Windows Update
Open Start > Settings > Windows Update, then select Check for updates. Install the updates Windows offers. Available packages depend on your hardware, Windows release, and organizational policy. Restart your PC when prompted.
For updates to eligible Microsoft software too, open Advanced options and turn on Receive updates for other Microsoft products. This setting does not cover every Acer or third-party app.
Tip: Windows also downloads and installs updates automatically, so you don’t need to start every update yourself.
Optional drivers need a separate check
Windows installs recommended drivers automatically. Optional drivers need your selection, so give them a separate check.
Press Windows + I to open Settings, then go to Windows Update > Advanced options > Optional updates > Driver updates. Select the applicable drivers and choose Download and install. Restart your PC afterward.
If Windows Update doesn’t offer the driver you need, try Acer’s Drivers and Manuals page for a package matching your exact model.
If your Acer update app is missing
Acer supplies update utilities by model, so a missing app starts with a compatibility check.
Identify your PC by serial number, SNID, or model on Acer’s Drivers and Manuals page. Check its Application section for a supported utility. Aspire Lite, Swift Lite, and Nitro Lite models do not support Acer-branded applications such as AcerSense, NitroSense, or Care Center. For those models, use Windows Update and the model’s downloads.
On a model with Care Center installed, press the Windows key, search for Acer Care Center, and open Acer Care Center. Use Update to check for and install Acer driver and software updates.
If Care Center is missing on a supported model, select Application > Acer Care Center > Download on that model’s support page. Extract the downloaded package, then run Setup.exe to install it.
For AcerSense on the Extensa EX215-24, open AcerSense > Live Update, then select Check Now. Select Details to open Update List and review available updates. AcerSense interfaces vary by version and model.
If AcerSense is absent from your model’s support downloads, Acer does not support it on that model. The dedicated AcerSense keyboard key, on models that have one, opens the app; it does not install updates.
Download drivers for your exact Acer model
Acer’s driver support covers its tested, posted packages, and available downloads and operating systems vary by model.
- 1.Open Acer’s Drivers and Manuals page and identify your PC using its serial number, SNID, or model.
- 2.Open Drivers and select your Operating System.
- 3.Download the required driver for your exact model, component, and operating system.
- 4.Extract the downloaded package if necessary.
- 5.Run Setup, approve the prompt with Yes, and follow the installer’s instructions.
Keep Store-delivered apps updated too
Open Microsoft Store. Select Check for Updates to check for updates to Store-delivered utilities and companion apps.
Tip: Store apps update automatically unless updates are paused, but a companion app update does not guarantee a hardware driver update.
Undo a driver update that causes problems
Rollback restores an available previous driver after a troublesome update and requires administrator permissions.
Right-click Start, select Device Manager, and expand the affected device’s category. Right-click the device, select Properties, and open the Driver tab.
Select Roll Back Driver, choose the reason for rolling back, and confirm with Yes. Restart if prompted.
Update the BIOS only for a relevant fix
Acer recommends updating the BIOS when a release addresses an issue or improvement relevant to your PC. These Windows updater steps apply to Acer notebooks with a matching package; desktop updates follow their model-specific instructions.
Identify your exact model on Acer’s Drivers and Manuals page, then open BIOS/Firmware. Review the release instructions, including the package’s power requirements and prerequisites. Select Download for the matching BIOS package.
Right-click the downloaded ZIP and select Extract All. Run the extracted application, then follow its instructions to complete the update.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are driver updates controlled by my workplace?
Organizations can manage driver delivery through Windows update policies and Microsoft Intune. Administrators can require approval for drivers or exclude them from Windows Update, so a managed Acer PC’s available updates depend on those settings.
Can I keep updating an Acer PC running Windows 10?
Standard Windows 10 support ended on October 14, 2025. Eligible consumer PCs running Windows 10 version 22H2 can enroll in Extended Security Updates. That extends security servicing, not general feature or driver support. Eligible Acer PCs also have the option to upgrade to Windows 11.
Does the latest-updates toggle affect security updates?
Regular Windows security updates continue whether “Get the latest updates as soon as they're available” is on or off. The setting lets your Windows 11 PC receive optional improvements sooner.
Can Device Manager find every available Acer driver update?
No. Its automatic driver search does not search every manufacturer’s website. Use Windows Update separately for additional online updates and Acer’s support page for model-specific packages.