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Windows 7 Ethernet driver ensures users always stay connected on their laptops or desktops

Windows 7 Ethernet driver ensures users always stay connected on their laptops or desktops

Vote: (5 votes)

Program license: Free

Developer: INTEL CORP

Version: 7.017

Works under: Windows

Vote:

Program license

(5 votes)

Free

Developer

Version

INTEL CORP

7.017

Works under:

Windows

Pros

  • Small download. Unless you're on dial-up for some reason, it's not much to download even on a satellite connection. If it takes an hour even on satellite, call your ISP and complain about speed.
  • Designed for Windows 7.

Cons

  • Only for Windows 7. Not a full driver package with multiple versions. Only download multi-version packages from the official vendor, as some scammers pack viruses and adware into fake driver catalogs.

This is an Ethernet driver for Windows 7

Make sure that you're installing this driver on a Windows 7 system. Unless you're using a legacy Ethernet card that doesn't have a Windows 8 or above driver--or if you're a custom hardware expert--you could run into problems with the wrong driver.

Download this and save it somewhere that you can find it. Do not uninstall or delete the previous driver unless installing the new driver doesn't succeed the first time.

Uninstalling or rolling back the driver should never be your first option unless you've done it before and know the technical eccentricities of your system. Simply unpack this driver and run the setup, or use Device Manager.

When using Device Manager, you need to go to Network Adapters, then find your RealTek device. Make sure that you're not installing to the wrong adapter.

How can you tell? If you only have one network adapter and it's attached to your motherboard, that's your only choice. If you have an Ethernet card, you need to physically check that card OR see if the other adapter has a name.

If the other adapter has a brand name that isn't RealTek (For example, Qualcomm, TP-LINK, ASIX, Belkin), but you have an unknown network adapter, the unknown adapter is probably your RealTek device.

Why does driver version matter?

The core part of drivers are firmware, which are a middle ground between software and hardware. They're pieces of code that interact directly with hardware without needing an app or the Operating System (OS) to tell them how to behave.

These instructions are mostly unchangeable. The instructions may work for different models under the same brand, but rarely for different brands.

Installing the wrong driver will simple send instructions that mean nothing to the wrong device. It will send messages to an address that doesn't exist, or ask for actions that don't exist or are different from what the driver expects.

Make sure to match your driver to the right model number, brand, and even the revision number. That said, don't panic; if you have the wrong driver, you can simply uninstall the it and use the right one.

The main problem is that if you can't get back on the internet, you'll need to use someone else's computer and a USB drive, disc, or other external means to move the right driver to your computer.

In short, you're wasting time by not doing it right the first time. Give yourself options.

If your internet is too slow to download multiple items at once, take a laptop or bring a USB drive to a computer store, cafe or store with internet access, or your Internet Service Provider.

If you explain your issue and--for stores--if you're a known customer, most people don't have a problem with you downloading something. With computer stores, they may even have a disc for you.

Of course, some enterprising stores may try to sell you another Ethernet adapter. If you go that route, make sure it has a disc or make sure they put the driver and a few other goodies on a USB drive for you.

Pros and Cons

Pros

  • Small download. Unless you're on dial-up for some reason, it's not much to download even on a satellite connection. If it takes an hour even on satellite, call your ISP and complain about speed.
  • Designed for Windows 7.

Cons

  • Only for Windows 7. Not a full driver package with multiple versions. Only download multi-version packages from the official vendor, as some scammers pack viruses and adware into fake driver catalogs.