What is Thunderbolt software? In this article, we run through what Thunderbolt software is, why it’s useful, and which devices it’s compatible with to ensure that you can make the most of it when connecting your computer to external devices.
Thunderbolt software is used to connect external devices to your computer. It is a hardware interface developed by Intel that facilitates high-speed data and video transfer using a single cable. It also charges your laptop with the same cable. Ultimately, it’s a handy piece of software for your PC.
But do you need Thunderbolt, and what does it do? Let’s find out.
What is Thunderbolt Software, and Do I Need it?
Thunderbolt software is a solution developed by Intel to make connecting your computer to external devices easier while ensuring high-quality data and video transfer.
Rather than relying on multiple cables to connect to different devices, Thunderbolt software is an all-in-one solution, making your life easier.
That being said, Thunderbolt is not an integral piece of software for your computer, and you can uninstall it if you wish.
But if you don’t use it, you will need to rely on various cables when you connect to different external devices.
Thunderbolt comes pre-installed on several devices – including many Apple, Dell, and Lenovo products – so it makes sense to keep it installed on your computer for ease of use.
Let’s take a closer look at what Thunderbolt does.
What Does the Thunderbolt Application Do?
Thunderbolt software essentially has two primary functions – it combines the PCI Express and DisplayPort into two serial signals while providing DC power to your device.
One Thunderbolt port can support up to six Thunderbolt devices.
Therefore, instead of requiring multiple external cables, you can rely on a single Thunderbolt cable to perform various functions, from high-quality data and video transfer to charging your device.
Should you wish to make the most of Thunderbolt on a compatible device, you must keep the software installed on your device and ensure that it’s regularly updated when new updates are released.
Can I Uninstall Thunderbolt Software?
Although Thunderbolt software can be beneficial to the performance of your computer, you can uninstall it if you don’t want to leave it on your device.
To uninstall Thunderbolt, you need to follow the steps listed below:
- Right-click on the Thunderbolt Controller entry on the Start menu.
- When prompted, click Uninstall.
- Then, an Uninstall Device window will appear. Place a tick mark within the delete the driver software option.
- Click Uninstall again before closing the device manager.
While it’s possible to uninstall Thunderbolt software, think carefully before doing so.
As mentioned, the Thunderbolt software is required if you wish to utilize the Thunderbolt cable for connecting external devices.
Should you uninstall Thunderbolt, there’s no way of using the Thunderbolt cable, and you will need to seek an alternative for connecting your computer to external devices.
How Do I Enable Thunderbolt On My PC?
To enable Thunderbolt on your PC, you must first make sure that the software on your device correlates with the Thunderbolt device (there are three models) you are using.
In most instances, when you connect a Thunderbolt device to your computer, a Windows popup will acknowledge its presence.
To authenticate the device and enable Thunderbolt on your PC:
- Connect your Thunderbolt device to your computer with the provided cable.
- Right-click on the Thunderbolt icon.
- Click “Approve Attached Devices.”
- On the device’s drop-down menu, select “Always Connect.”
- Click OK.
Again, you must make sure the Thunderbolt software is up to date for it to register external devices.
You can check for updates, and it’s best to run them frequently to ensure your PC works to the best of its ability.
Which Devices Use Thunderbolt?
As Intel developed the technology with Apple, most Apple devices support Thunderbolt software. However, several Windows devices also support Thunderbolt, and the software is built-in to many devices as standard.
You can check if your device is compatible with Thunderbolt software and cables by checking whether your PC has a Thunderbolt symbol next to the mini display port at the side of your laptop computer for example.
The symbol looks just like a bolt of lightning.
While the Thunderbolt port will look similar to a USB-C port, the latter won’t have the thunderbolt symbol on your device.
This is the easiest way to tell if your device is compatible with Thunderbolt, but you can also read your computer’s manual and operating instructions.
Conclusion
Understanding what the Thunderbolt software is used for is essential. It can facilitate high-quality video and data transfer while offering a charging solution to your PC – all with one cable.
For Thunderbolt to work, you need to keep the associated drivers up to date on your device. Mouse software for example, such as the tricky to-update IBUYPOWER mouse, has its firmware and utilities upgraded differently.
While you can uninstall Thunderbolt software if you don’t want to use it, the fact that it can make your life easier when connecting to external devices makes it more sense to keep it on your iOS device.