USB 3.0 is the next major update in the USB technology. USB 3.0 is also called SS USB or SuperSpeed USB. According to the data transfer rate tests, the USB 3.0 is as much as ten times faster than its predecessor USB 2.0. The maximum data transfer rate possible in USB 3.0 is 5 Gbps (gigabits per second) while the USB 2.0 technology has a limitation of only 480 kbps (kilobits per second). If you have bought a new computer with USB 3.0 ports and want to install Windows, then it becomes a little tricky because only Windows 8 supports the newer version of this technology. Windows 7 and earlier versions of Windows do not have any inbuilt support for USB 3.0.
If you decide to go with Windows 7 on a computer equipped with USB 3.0 ports, then you have to take one little extra step. You have to install the device drivers for the USB 3.0 ports so that they give you the maximum performance. If you do not install these device driver software, then your USB 3.0 ports would either go undetected or perform with slower data transfer rates.
Most of the motherboard manufacturers have made the USB 3.0 device drivers available for the Windows 7 operating system. You can download and install USB 3.0 device drivers from the following links for various manufacturers.
| 1. | Asus Computers | http://support.asus.com/ |
| 2. | Intel | https://downloadcenter.intel.com/ |
| 3. | Fresco Logic | http://www.frescologic.com/ |
| 4. | Via Labs | http://www.via-labs.com/ |
| 5. | Renesas | http://www.renesas.com |
| 6. | TI USB | http://www.ti.com/ |
| 7. | Lenovo | http://support.lenovo.com/ |
Hopefully, the links given above are going to cover your USB 3.0 devices and support them in the earlier versions of Windows. But if you do not find a suitable device driver in the links given, then you should consult your computer’s support website or telephone helpline.