Browse free open source Hardware Drivers and projects below. Use the toggles on the left to filter open source Hardware Drivers by OS, license, language, programming language, and project status.

  • Manage Properties Better For Free Icon
    Manage Properties Better For Free

    For small to mid-sized landlords and property managers

    Innago is a free and easy-to-use property management solution. Whether you have 1 unit or 1000, student housing, or commercial properties, Innago is built for you. Our software is designed to save you time and money, so you can spend more time doing the things that matter most.
  • JobNimbus Construction Software Icon
    JobNimbus Construction Software

    For Roofers, Remodelers, Contractors, Home Service Industry

    Track leads, jobs, and tasks from one easy to use software. You can access your information wherever you are, get everyone on the same page, and grow your business.
  • 1
    ScpToolkit

    ScpToolkit

    Windows Driver/XInput Wrapper- Sony DualShock Controllers (Deprecated)

    *ScpToolkit has been deprecated and is no longer maintained.* ScpToolkit is a free Windows Driver and XInput Wrapper for Sony DualShock 3/4 Controllers. Installation is fairly simple and straightforward, but does require a few things: Microsoft Windows Vista/7/8/8.1/10 x86 or amd64, Microsoft .NET Framework 4.5, Microsoft Visual C++ 2010 Redistributable Package, Microsoft Visual C++ 2013 Runtime, DirectX Runtime, Xbox 360 Controller driver (already integrated in Windows 8.x or greater), at least one supported Sony DualShock 3/4 controller and Administrator rights during driver setup.
    Downloads: 8,790 This Week
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  • 2
    antimicro

    antimicro

    Graphical program to map keyboard and mouse controls to a gamepad

    antimicro is a graphical program used to map keyboard keys and mouse controls to a gamepad. It's useful for using a gamepad on PC games that do not have any form of built-in gamepad support. This program can also be used to control any desktop application with a gamepad. On Linux, this means that your system has to be running an X environment in order to run this program. This program currently works with various Linux distributions, Windows (Vista and later), and FreeBSD, but with limited support for FreeBSD and Windows XP.
    Downloads: 5,782 This Week
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  • 3
    Barrier

    Barrier

    Open-source KVM software

    Barrier is a software that works just like a KVM (keyboard, video and mouse) switch, which allows you to use a single mouse and keyboard to control several different computers by physically turning a dial on the box to switch the machine you're controlling at any given time. Barrier is able to do this in software, giving you control over different machines by simply moving your mouse to the edge of the screen, or by using a keypress to switch focus to a different system. Barrier was built to be simple and reliable, allowing you to control a different machine by simply using your mouse and keyboard from another. It works on all major operating systems (Linux, Windows, MacOS/OS X), including FreeBSD and OpenBSD.
    Downloads: 822 This Week
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  • 4
    hdparm - get/set ATA/SATA drive parameters under Linux
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    Downloads: 8,210 This Week
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  • Let your volunteer coordinators do their best work. Icon
    Let your volunteer coordinators do their best work.

    For non-profit organizations requiring a software solution to keep track of volunteers

    Stop messing with tools that aren’t designed to amplify volunteer programs. With VolunteerMatters, it’s a delight to manage everything in one place.
  • 5
    DS4Windows

    DS4Windows

    DS4Windows allows you to use a DualShock 4 Controller on your PC

    DS4Window is an open-source program that will allow someone to get the experience of using a Playstation 4 DualShock Controller on a PC by emulating a Xbox 360 Controller.
    Downloads: 305 This Week
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  • 6
    HP Linux Imaging and Printing

    HP Linux Imaging and Printing

    Hewlett-Packard's Linux imaging and printing software

    The Hewlett-Packard Linux Imaging and Printing Project provides a unified single and multi-function connectivity solution for Linux. For support and help, please visit https://launchpad.net/hplip
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    Downloads: 8,811 This Week
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  • 7
    Linux driver for the ZyDAS ZD1211(b) 802.11a/b/g USB WLAN chip. There is the community zd1211 driver (based on the ZyDAS GPL driver) and the rewritten zd1211rw driver (included in Linux 2.6.18-rc1 and newer).
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    Downloads: 8,396 This Week
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  • 8
    vJoy
    This project was originally designed to provide an open-source replacement for PPJoy. The product, at this point, consists of virtual joystick devices that is seen by the system as a standard joystick but its position-data is written to it by a feeder application. An existing feeder application that takes advantage of this product is SmartPropoPlus. If you are an application writer you can very easily write an application that controls a joystick (e.g. mouse-to-joystick, keyboard-to-joystick). If you are a beginner in device drivers you can take this code and enhance it to support more (or less) axes, buttons or POVs.
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    Downloads: 7,228 This Week
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  • 9
    This project contains the standalone Linux kernel drivers for Intel(R) Ethernet adapters and LOMs (LAN On Motherboard). To learn more about Intel Ethernet visit http://communities.intel.com/community/tech/wired For all support questions or reports regarding Intel's standalone driver tar.gz files, or hardware issues, please contact Intel Support at https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/support/products/36773/ethernet-products.html If you're having an issue with a driver from a distribution please contact that distribution first. If you need to report an issue with the in-kernel driver please use the following lists: intel-wired-lan@lists.osuosl.org netdev@vger.kernel.org
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    Downloads: 2,956 This Week
    Last Update:
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  • Cyber Risk Assessment and Management Platform Icon
    Cyber Risk Assessment and Management Platform

    ConnectWise Identify is a powerful cybersecurity risk assessment platform offering strategic cybersecurity assessments and recommendations.

    When it comes to cybersecurity, what your clients don’t know can really hurt them. And believe it or not, keep them safe starts with asking questions. With ConnectWise Identify Assessment, get access to risk assessment backed by the NIST Cybersecurity Framework to uncover risks across your client’s entire business, not just their networks. With a clearly defined, easy-to-read risk report in hand, you can start having meaningful security conversations that can get you on the path of keeping your clients protected from every angle. Choose from two assessment levels to cover every client’s need, from the Essentials to cover the basics to our Comprehensive Assessment to dive deeper to uncover additional risks. Our intuitive heat map shows you your client’s overall risk level and priority to address risks based on probability and financial impact. Each report includes remediation recommendations to help you create a revenue-generating action plan.
  • 10
    Linux ATM Drivers for the Geos Multiport ADSL2+ router, Solos PCI Multiport ADSL2+ modem and Pulsar PCI ADSL Card
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    Downloads: 14,881 This Week
    Last Update:
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  • 11
    A very high quality package of printer drivers for CUPS on Linux, Macintosh OS X, and other POSIX-compliant operating systems. This project also maintains an enhanced Print plug-in for GIMP 2.x from the same code base.
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    Downloads: 1,682 This Week
    Last Update:
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  • 12
    Radeon-ID

    Radeon-ID

    Official Mirror of AMD Domestic Community Driver Indonesia

    AMD Domestic Community Driver with Multi-Kernel Radeon Driver Release Join our 24h Discord Channel Support: https://discord.gg/rdnid
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    Downloads: 7,687 This Week
    Last Update:
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  • 13
    Fast and user-friendly free tool for drivers's backup, restoration and removal with command line options, automatic restoration from CD\DVD and path formatting. DriverBackup! includes also an interactive command line builder.
    Leader badge
    Downloads: 1,138 This Week
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  • 14
    OpenTabletDriver

    OpenTabletDriver

    Open source, cross-platform, user-mode tablet driver

    OpenTabletDriver is an open-source, cross-platform, user mode tablet driver. The goal of OpenTabletDriver is to be cross-platform as possible with the highest compatibility in an easily configurable graphical user interface. OpenTabletDriver functions as two separate processes that interact with each other seamlessly. The active program that does all of the tablet data handling is OpenTabletDriver.Daemon. The daemon must be started in order for anything to work, however, the GUI is unnecessary. If you have existing settings, they should apply when the daemon starts. The requirements to build OpenTabletDriver are consistent across all platforms. Running OpenTabletDriver on each platform requires different dependencies. Run build.ps1 to produce binary builds to 'bin' folder. These builds will run in portable mode by default.
    Downloads: 35 This Week
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  • 15
    libusbK

    libusbK

    A complete software solution for windows usb devices

    libusbK is a complete driver/library solution for vendor class usb device interfaces. If you are a usb developer or usb device manufacturer seeking a driver solution for a new USB widget then libusbK could be for you. libusbK encompasses a 100% WinUSB compatible api/funtion set. All WinUSB power/pipe polices are fully supported by the libusbK driver. In Addition, libusbK has full support for isochronous endpoints and an extensive set of additional modules to simplify development. Source code repository using github: https://github.com/mcuee/libusbk
    Leader badge
    Downloads: 778 This Week
    Last Update:
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  • 16
    VoodooHDA
    VoodooHDA is an open source audio driver for devices compliant with the Intel High Definition Audio specification. It is intended as a replacement for AppleHDA on Mac OS X with support for a wide range of audio controllers and codecs.
    Leader badge
    Downloads: 555 This Week
    Last Update:
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  • 17
    GLDirect is the utility package for Windows 95/98/Me/2000/XP that enables OpenGL based games and applications to access 3D hardware acceleration through the Direct3D drivers provided by your graphics hardware manufacturer.
    Leader badge
    Downloads: 587 This Week
    Last Update:
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  • 18
    Snappy Driver Installer Origin

    Snappy Driver Installer Origin

    Install and update drivers on Windows PCs.

    Snappy Driver Installer Origin is a portable Windows tool to install and update device drivers. It can be used offline to install drivers where Internet isn't available. The perfect technicians tool. Download the latest version from the home page below.
    Leader badge
    Downloads: 394 This Week
    Last Update:
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  • 19
    Snappy Driver Installer
    Snappy Driver Installer is an application for installing/updating drivers on PCs running Microsoft Windows using driverpacks or included folders with drivers. It can be used to install drivers on newly assembled PCs at places where Internet isn't available. Users can also use the software to keep their drivers up to date.
    Leader badge
    Downloads: 343 This Week
    Last Update:
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  • 20
    The USB/IP Project
    The USB/IP Project aims to develop a general USB device sharing system over IP network. To share USB devices between computers with their full functionality, USB/IP encapsulates USB I/O requests into IP packets and transmits them between computers.
    Leader badge
    Downloads: 257 This Week
    Last Update:
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  • 21

    IIDC Camera Control Library

    Capture and control API for IIDC compliant cameras

    libdc1394 is a library that provides a high level programming interface for application developers who wish to control and capture streams from IEEE 1394 based cameras that conform to the 1394-based Digital Camera Specifications (also known as the IIDC or DCAM Specifications). libdc1394 also supports some USB cameras that are IIDC compliant. Besides capture and control, libdc1394 provides a full set of colour space conversion functions (including RAW decoding), vendor specific functions and direct camera register access. Keywords: ieee1394, IIDC, DCAM, firewire, USB, machine vision, computer vision, video capture, library
    Leader badge
    Downloads: 261 This Week
    Last Update:
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  • 22
    LIRC

    LIRC

    Linux Infrared Remote Control

    LIRC is a package that supports receiving and sending IR signals of IR remote controls, adding functionality and flexibility to the basic support in the Linux kernel. Support for LIRC is ubiquitous in Linux HTPC applications; it's also packaged in all major Linux distributions. Despite it's name, LIRC also works on OSX.
    Leader badge
    Downloads: 354 This Week
    Last Update:
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  • 23
    Redshift JDBC Driver

    Redshift JDBC Driver

    Redshift JDBC Driver. It supports JDBC 4.2 specification

    The Amazon JDBC Driver for Redshift is a Type 4 JDBC driver that provides database connectivity through the standard JDBC application program interfaces (APIs) available in the Java Platform, Enterprise Editions. The Driver provides access to Redshift from any Java application, application server, or Java-enabled applet. It builds redshift-jdbc42-{version}.jar and redshift-jdbc42-{version}.zip files under target directory. The jar file is the Redshift JDBC driver.The zip file contains the driver jar file and all required dependencies files to use AWS SDK for the IDP/IAM features.
    Downloads: 7 This Week
    Last Update:
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  • 24
    mySATBOX.TV
    Everything for VU+, Formuler, Wetek, GigaBlue, Amiko, Venton, Dreambox & Zgemma.
    Leader badge
    Downloads: 495 This Week
    Last Update:
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  • 25
    TComPort by Dejan Crnila. Delphi/C++ Builder serial communications components. It is generally easy to use for basic Serial Communications purposes. Alternative to the TurboPower ASYNCPro at http://sourceforge.net/projects/tpapro/
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    Downloads: 135 This Week
    Last Update:
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Open Source Hardware Drivers Guide

Open source hardware drivers are software components that enable a computer, device, or system to communicate with and control certain hardware components. Open source hardware drivers operate in the same way as proprietary drivers, but they are released under a license that grants permission to modify the source code and redistribute it.

Open source hardware drivers can provide improved functionality and performance over those provided by manufacturers. Because the source code is made available, any user can examine the code to verify its safety and integrity or modify it for their own purpose. This allows users to fix their own problems or customize the driver's operation for their specific needs, rather than relying on an outside organization for help.

For example, an open-source driver might be designed to use less power than proprietary one provided by a manufacturer, which could result in better battery life for devices using the driver. In addition, open source hardware drivers can also allow users access to features not included in proprietary versions of the software due to licensing restrictions imposed by manufacturers.

Open source hardware drivers have become increasingly popular among users who want more flexibility and control over their systems without sacrificing performance or reliability. They also give developers increased opportunities to innovate because they no longer need to go through major companies before making changes or improvements to existing products. Finally, open-source hardware drivers may reduce the cost of computing and electronic purchases since customers don't have to pay additional fees for special licenses associated with closed-source software products.

Features Provided by Open Source Hardware Drivers

  • Comprehensive Compatibility: Open source hardware drivers support a wide range of devices from different vendors, allowing users to easily integrate their hardware with the rest of their system.
  • Regular Updates: Open source hardware drivers are regularly updated to ensure that users can take advantage of the latest technology and maintain optimal performance.
  • Easily Accessible Documentation: Open source hardware drivers typically include detailed documentation that allows inexperienced users to gain an understanding of how to install and configure the necessary software.
  • Customization Options: Many open source hardware drivers allow users to customize various aspects of their devices, such as enabling or disabling certain features or altering the behavior of certain operations.
  • Community Support: Users who need assistance in using open source hardware drivers can turn to the active community support forums available online, where experienced members often answer questions quickly and help resolve any issues encountered.

Different Types of Open Source Hardware Drivers

  • USB - Universal Serial Bus is a type of open source hardware driver used to connect various devices. It supports multiple device types and speeds, making it a widely-used driver in modern computer systems.
  • GPIO - General Purpose Input/Output is an open source hardware driver that allows for communication between different components without the need for specialized programming languages or microcontrollers.
  • SPI - Serial Peripheral Interface is an open source hardware driver that enables fast transmission of data between two or more devices, such as microprocessors and other peripherals.
  • I²C - Inter-Integrated Circuit is another type of open source hardware driver used to communicate with other devices on the same circuit board. It features low power consumption and can be used for device addressing and data transfers.
  • UART - Universal Asynchronous Receiver/Transmitter is an open source hardware driver designed to facilitate asynchronous serial communications between two devices over short distances.
  • CAN - Controller Area Network is a type of open source hardware driver designed specifically for automotive applications. It supports large networks with up to 1,000 nodes and offers higher reliability than many other protocols due to its ability to detect errors within the network itself.

Advantages of Using Open Source Hardware Drivers

  1. Flexibility: Open source hardware drivers provide flexibility in terms of customization and compatibility, allowing users to adapt the hardware to their needs. By using open source hardware drivers, developers can modify or build their own code to customize their products without having to pay for expensive licensing fees.
  2. Reliability: Open source hardware drivers are typically more reliable because they have been extensively tested by users who have access to the source code. This ensures that any bugs or glitches can be quickly identified and fixed, resulting in improved reliability and performance.
  3. Cost-Effective: Open source hardware drivers provide a cost-effective alternative to proprietary software which often requires high licensing fees. With open source software, developers can save money on development costs as well as spend less time coding from scratch due to the availability of existing solutions.
  4. Scalability: Open source hardware drivers allow for scalability when it comes to developing new features since developers can work with the same driver for multiple platforms. This allows developers more freedom in terms of product design and feature additions without having to purchase additional licenses or write new code each time they want to implement something new.
  5. Security & Support: Since open source software is supported by a community of users and developers, there is always someone available who can help with debugging and resolving any issues that may arise with the software. Additionally, open source software is generally considered more secure than closed-source alternatives since anyone with access to the code is able to identify security threats quickly before they become a problem for users.

What Types of Users Use Open Source Hardware Drivers?

  • Hobbyists: Hobbyists are individuals who use open source hardware drivers for projects like 3D printing, robotics, and other DIY activities. They often make modifications to the drivers to customize their projects as needed.
  • Educators: Educators use open source hardware drivers to create teaching materials. They may modify existing drivers or create custom ones to suit their classroom's needs.
  • Professionals: Professionals use open source hardware drivers in the workplace for commercial use. These users rely on the flexibility of these drivers to meet specific customer requirements quickly and efficiently.
  • Developers: Developers use open source hardware drivers to create new applications, test functionalities, or even customize existing solutions. They are highly familiar with the software and can modify it efficiently as needed.
  • Researchers: Researchers rely on open source hardware drivers for scientific applications such as data collection, analysis, and model building/simulation. They may also modify existing solutions or develop new ones from scratch based on their research needs.
  • Gamers: Gamers are drawn to open source hardware drivers due to the customization options they offer when creating gaming systems or improving the performance of current ones. With these solutions, developers can fine-tune graphics settings, optimize load times, and more in order to get an edge over their rivals in gaming competitions.

How Much Do Open Source Hardware Drivers Cost?

Open source hardware drivers generally come at no cost, as they are typically provided by the manufacturer or a community of volunteers. For example, the Linux operating system is largely powered by a variety of open-source hardware drivers that have been created and made available for free to those who need them.

The open-source environment has enabled hardware designers to create custom solutions for unique needs. These can range from specialized communication protocols, to driver development for new technologies and devices. All of this comes with no upfront costs as well since manufacturers and volunteers alike contribute their expertise and resources for free.

In addition, open source hardware drivers often provide a set of core features that are often not included in commercial alternatives--such as compatibility with other products or support for multiple platforms or architectures. This makes open source drivers much more valuable than proprietary software solutions which often require additional licenses or fees just to use them.

Overall, it's clear that the benefits provided by open source hardware drivers far exceed any potential costs associated with them– making them an obvious choice for anyone looking to save money and gain superior functionality in the process.

What Software Can Integrate With Open Source Hardware Drivers?

Open source hardware drivers can be integrated with a variety of different types of software. Operating systems, such as Linux and BSD, are the most common type of software that have built-in integration capabilities for open source hardware drivers. Additionally, development frameworks and toolkits, such as the Arduino framework and the NodeMCU platform, offer support for integrating with open source hardware drivers. Lastly, various programming languages like Python, Java, and C++ also typically include libraries or APIs specifically designed to facilitate interaction with open source hardware drivers.

What Are the Trends Relating to Open Source Hardware Drivers?

  1. Open source hardware drivers allow hardware components to be used with open source software, instead of relying on proprietary software. This can reduce costs and complexity while increasing flexibility.
  2. Open source hardware drivers are becoming more popular due to the benefits they offer, such as increased performance and compatibility.
  3. Open source hardware drivers are more reliable than proprietary drivers, and they can be maintained by a community of developers who can make any necessary changes or provide support for users.
  4. Another advantage of open source hardware drivers is that they are often released under a license that allows them to be modified, allowing users to customize their hardware components to better suit their needs.
  5. Open source hardware drivers can be used on different operating systems, meaning they have a greater level of compatibility across platforms and devices.
  6. Open source hardware drivers offer improved security due to the open nature of the development process, meaning vulnerabilities can be discovered and fixed quickly.
  7. Lastly, open source hardware drivers are often cheaper than proprietary ones, making them an attractive option for budget-conscious buyers.

How To Get Started With Open Source Hardware Drivers

First, the user should assess their device and research compatible open source hardware drivers to make sure they are compatible with the device they want to use them on. The user should visit websites such as GitHub or Sourceforge where many open source software repositories are located, as well as forums like Stack Overflow or Reddit which may contain helpful resources related to their specific device and its compatibility with open source hardware drivers. It’s also important to pay attention to any compatibility requirements - some devices will only be able to utilize certain versions of open source drivers due to operating system restrictions, so careful research is key. Furthermore, seeking out independent technical support (such as through online forums) can help simplify this process greatly.

Once the user has determined what type of driver they need, it's time to install it in their device; this requires either finding an installer for their platform (Windows/Mac/Linux), using a package manager like apt-get/Homebrew, or manually building from sources if necessary. Installing an open source driver can be intimidating for first-timers, but overall it’s a simple procedure that requires following instructions carefully and running commands in the terminal (or a similar text-based application).

Finally, once the installation is complete it's time to test out the new driver. If all goes according to plan then after restarting your machine you should see improved functionality - faster boot speeds, better performance on tasks such as gaming or video editing depending on your usage - that proves you got your new setup running correctly. Open source hardware drivers can offer significant benefits over stock hardware drivers provided by manufacturers; however if you experience any issues during installation or after the fact don't hesitate to contact support teams associated with whatever platform you're running. With dedication and patience anyone can learn how to work with these powerful tools.