Safe to Download Drivers from 3rd Party?

[Asparagus]

I've got a Gateway P-6860FX with Win 7 64bit. I'm doing a reinstall of the OS, and Gateway doesn't support my machine anymore (i.e. they don't offer the drivers via download from their site any longer). Is it safe to download the drivers from other 3rd party sites? I don't want to inadvertently download spyware or a virus.

 

[MustISO]

I wouldn't do it. I would at least go to the manufacturer for whatever driver you need (ie. Intel, Realtek, etc)

When I went to this site I was able to find the drivers for Windows 7 by using FX6860 as the model #
http://us.gateway.com/gw/en/US/content/drivers-downloads

 

[JackMDS]

Vendors do not write Drivers that take the OEM drivers and add their stamp to it and some time put some Junk on it too.

At best their addition is Neutral. In other words many times I do not use the vendors Drivers. I find the OEM of the chipset and use their original Drivers.

 

[corkyg]

My experience with such vendors is not good. The drivers may or may not be OK, but the big negative is that you will be loaded with PUPs, and even an unwanted Home Page.

 

[sm625]

Win 7 should automatically install all the drivers you need for that machine.