POLL: Do you allow Windows Update to install new drivers?

x509 said:

So does anyone here use a third-party driver manager? I have read where they are a waste of money (at best) and a waste of effort even if free.

Click to expand...

It probably only makes sense if you're selling reconditioned laptops on ebay. In my experience since win98, once you get a working system it will continue working great for 10-15 years with no driver updates. I don't think my win7 pc has been updated in any form or fashion in 10 years. Even chrome refuses to update until the OS is upgraded to 10. It's awesome!

Get notifications when new drivers and updates are available but don't do automatic installs. I take a look at what they are before I decide to do the update.

Chef Duane said:

Get notifications when new drivers and updates are available but don't do automatic installs. I take a look at what they are before I decide to do the update.

Click to expand...

Yep that is the best way to do it

On my Dell machine I use SupportAssist to check for any updates, on my Samsung machine I let Windows Update decide (My experience with Samsung software updates was horrible).

Blocked with GP edit. I select my own.

In my experience, driver update managers can make mistakes and install the wrong driver(s).

Driver version numbers in Windows are not always a reliable guide to determining the newest driver because different manufacturers and OEMs use their own versioning schemes, which do not always follow a clear or consistent numerical progression. Here are the main reasons:

1.​

• Laptop and prebuilt PC manufacturers (OEMs) often customise drivers provided by Intel, AMD, NVIDIA, or other hardware vendors.
• OEM versions may have higher version numbers than newer generic drivers from the component manufacturer, making them appear more recent when they are not.

2.​

• Intel, AMD, NVIDIA, and others each have different numbering formats, and they don’t necessarily follow an increasing sequence across vendors.
• Example: Intel’s driver version 30.0.101.1191 might be older than version 27.20.100.9365, because the first part may reflect a different numbering convention rather than chronological order.

3.​

• Drivers from Windows Update are often older but signed and tested for stability.
• A newer driver directly from the hardware vendor might have a lower version number than the one in Windows Update but still be the most up-to-date in terms of fixes and performance.

4.​

• Beta drivers (which may include new features) often have lower or non-sequential version numbers compared to Windows Hardware Quality Labs (WHQL) certified drivers.
• Some newer drivers are not WHQL-certified yet, meaning Windows may not recognise them as newer.

5.​

• Some manufacturers release different versions in different regions or for different OEM partners.
• Lenovo or Dell might release a driver with a higher version number that is older than Intel's latest generic release.

6.​

• Some drivers include multiple components (e.g., a chipset driver package may have multiple sub-drivers).
• The overall package version may be newer, but individual components within the package might not be the latest available versions.

How to Ensure You Have the Latest Driver​

• Check the vendor’s official site (Intel, AMD, NVIDIA, etc.) rather than relying on version numbers alone.
• Compare release dates, not just version numbers.
• Manually verify driver details in Device Manager by checking the driver provider, date, and details.

I didn't vote on the poll because the option was not listed. Yes, I let Windows Update install drivers whenever it wants to except no, I use other means (PowerShell) to stop Windows Update from installing an older Intel Graphics driver each time, and yes, I also use my OEM's/chipmakers' support apps (plural) to update drivers and firmware (Intel Driver and Support Assistant, Asus Armoury Crate, MyAsus, Asus Router app on Android, Nvidia App, Logitech G HUB, Samsung Magician, WD Dashboard, etc.). Additionally, I visit my chipmakers' official web pages (also plural) regularly to manually look for download packages to update (Realtek USB Ethernet and Realtek PCIe Ethernet, etc.).

Hi all,
I let Windows install drivers but blocked two devices in GroupPolicy, Monitor and LTE modem as new drivers make a mess.
I install old ones from 5 years ago and then block updates for these two.

Ciao, Han

I'm selective (depending on what drivers are available for Update) - but sure, i install even drivers released with Windows Updates. Such as... APO/Audio Enhancements and Realtek Audio Universal Service. Which is usually the safest way to get them (compatibility/reliability wise). There's also Nahimic A-Volute for anyone using SS Sonar (included with many Laptops this days). But Steelseries turned this app into bloatware (big installer/app and you can only use it Online - while 3 of the included features connect to the internet) - and it's also rather mediocre compared to many other Lite APO alternatives - such as - "Equalizer APO" and the hundreds of VST plugins covering almost every audio related need (software wise).