Having trouble getting your USB device to communicate properly with your Windows computer? The issue often lies with incorrect or outdated USB drivers. That’s where Zadig, a powerful yet incredibly simple Windows application, comes to the rescue. Zadig is designed to effortlessly install generic USB drivers, ensuring seamless communication between your computer and a wide range of USB devices. Whether you’re a developer working with libusb-based applications, need to upgrade a generic driver, or require WinUSB drivers, Zadig provides a streamlined solution.
Zadig simplifies the often-complex process of installing generic USB drivers, including popular options like WinUSB, libusb-win32/libusb0.sys and libusbK. These drivers are essential for applications that need direct access to USB devices, particularly those built using libraries like libusb, libusb-win32, or libusbK.
Zadig proves invaluable in several common scenarios:
- libusb Application Compatibility: If you’re using software that relies on libusb to interact with USB hardware, Zadig ensures the correct driver is installed for smooth operation.
- Generic USB Driver Updates: Sometimes, the default Windows drivers aren’t optimal. Zadig allows you to easily replace them with generic alternatives, potentially resolving compatibility or performance issues.
- WinUSB Access Requirement: For applications specifically designed to use WinUSB, Zadig provides a quick way to install this driver, enabling proper device communication.
Download Zadig – Get Your USB Driver Installer Now
Latest Version: Updated 2024.06.13
Zadig is a lightweight and portable application. No installation is needed! Simply download the executable and run it to start installing your USB drivers.
System Requirements:
- Compatible with Windows 7 and all later versions.
- Please note: Windows XP and Windows Vista are no longer supported.
How to Use Zadig – Simple Steps for USB Driver Installation
Using Zadig is straightforward:
- Download: Get the Zadig executable from the download section above.
- Run: Launch the downloaded executable. You may be prompted for administrator elevation; grant it if requested.
- Select Device: Choose your USB device from the dropdown list. If you can’t see it, ensure the device is plugged in and powered on. You may need to select “List All Devices” from the “Options” menu.
- Choose Driver: Select the desired generic USB driver (WinUSB, libusb-win32, or libusbK) from the right-hand side panel.
- Install Driver: Click the “Install Driver” or “Replace Driver” button. Zadig will handle the driver installation process.
For a more detailed visual guide, a comprehensive usage manual is available HERE.
The Zadig executable is digitally signed by “Akeo Consulting,” ensuring its authenticity and integrity.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) – Zadig USB Driver Installer
For quick answers to common questions, consult the Zadig FAQ HERE.
Feedback and Support
To report bugs, suggest improvements, or provide general feedback, please use the GitHub issue tracker. Alternatively, you can reach out via email at [email protected].
License Information
Zadig is open-source software licensed under the GNU General Public License (GPL) version 3 or later. This license grants you freedom to use, distribute, modify, and even sell the software, as long as you adhere to the terms of the GPLv3 license.
Zadig is built upon libwdi, which is licensed under the LGPL version 3 or later.
The Zadig executable is built transparently from its public source code using Visual Studio.
Changelog – Recent Updates to Zadig
- Version 2.9 (2024.06.13)
- Added support for libusb-win32 ARM64 driver installation (thanks to Peter Dons Tychsen). Note: Requires Windows 10 1511 or later with x86 (32-bit) emulation.
- Fixed an issue where User Account Control (UAC) was not properly triggered during driver installation (thanks to Andrew Meyer).
- Bundled drivers updated: WinUSB v6.1.7600.16385, libusb-win32 v1.4.0.0, libusbK v3.1.0.0 & USBSer (native).
Source Code – Contribute to Zadig
Developers are encouraged to explore the Zadig and libwdi source code and contribute patches to the project. Your contributions are welcome!
