Is Driver Booster Safe?

Driver Booster by IObit is one of the most popular driver updater tools. It promises automatic scanning, updating, and repairing of outdated or faulty drivers, which can save users time. But many users still wonder — is Driver Booster actually safe to use?

Why People Question Driver Booster’s Safety

On forums like Reddit and r/techsupport, Driver Booster and similar tools are often flagged as “unsafe.” The main concerns include:

• Third-party driver database – Unlike getting drivers directly from Intel, NVIDIA, AMD, or your device manufacturer, Driver Booster pulls from IObit’s database. This creates the risk of wrong or outdated drivers.
• Potential system instability – Some users reported blue screens, failed boots, or broken devices after automatic driver updates.
• Bundled promotions – Free versions may suggest installing additional IObit products, which some consider “bloatware.”
• Blacklisted on communities – For example, Reddit’s r/techsupport has Driver Booster on its “unsafe software” list, recommending users avoid it.

What Supporters Say

On the other hand, not everyone has had a bad experience. Many users mention that:

• Driver Booster successfully updated dozens of drivers without issues.
• The backup & restore feature provides a safety net if something goes wrong.
• For people who don’t want to manually search manufacturer sites, it’s convenient.
• The Pro version includes WHQL-certified drivers, reducing the chance of instability.

Expert Recommendations

While Driver Booster is not inherently malware, it does carry risks because driver updates are sensitive. Tech experts often recommend:

• Best practice: Always get drivers directly from the hardware manufacturer (Intel, AMD, NVIDIA, Realtek, Dell, HP, Lenovo, etc.).
• If using Driver Booster:
  • Stick to major driver updates (graphics, audio, chipset).
  • Avoid updating drivers that aren’t causing problems.
  • Use the backup feature before applying updates.

Final Verdict – Safe or Not?

Driver Booster is not malware and can work fine for some users. However, it is not risk-free. Because it installs drivers from a third-party source, there’s always the possibility of instability or incompatibility.

• For casual users or those unfamiliar with troubleshooting, relying entirely on Driver Booster is not recommended.
• For experienced users, it can be a handy tool if used cautiously with backups enabled.
• If you want 100% safety, always download drivers directly from the official manufacturer’s website.

Bottom line: Driver Booster is convenient but not the safest method. Use with caution — or better, update drivers manually for maximum reliability.