Which drivers are better and recommended; Automatic drivers from Windows Update or Manual drivers?


NndnG

Member
Local time
12:23 PM
Posts
15
OS
Windows 11
Hi,

In Windows 10 and Windows 11, almost all drivers get download automatically.

Moreover, manual drivers are also available for each component on manufacturer's support website.
Nowadays most of users and tech guys go for Automatic drivers from Windows Updates.

Which drivers are better and recommended for better performance of components?

Moreover, can we be assured about drivers from Windows Update; drivers from Windows Update are exactly same which are required for components?

Please elaborate and advice.

With Regards
NndnG
 
Windows Build/Version
Windows 11 21H2

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo
    CPU
    i5
    Motherboard
    Lenovo
    Memory
    12GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD
    Sound Card
    Realtek
Nowadays most of users and tech guys go for Automatic drivers from Windows Updates.
Most tech guys I know (those of us that build) download drivers from the vendor site where available. These are typically GPU, sound, motherboard, and other drivers not necessarily supplied by Windows or are basic in nature such as GPU drivers. Here though Windows provides a base GPU driver, if you want to tweak the GPU, you'll need the control panel, which is included in the vendor drivers.

Anyway, this is a debate that rages on - Windows vs Vendor, but both are equally important if you understand your devices and what you expect from them as explained by the GPU drivers above. Same with a keyboard/mouse - Window provides a base driver, but if your keyboard/mouse has with special features/functions you'd want the vendor specific drivers, not the Microsoft ones.

In the end while Windows provides a base set of drivers, it does not include ALL drivers for all devices. With that, the best way to tell if a driver is missing is to look to Device Manager and if you see "Unknown Device" with yellow question marks/points, you know there's a driver missing.
 
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My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 23H2 (Build 22631.4391)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom built
    CPU
    Intel i9-9900K
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte Aorus Z390 Xtreme
    Memory
    32G (4x8) DDR4 Corsair RGB Dominator Platinum (3600Mhz)
    Graphics Card(s)
    Radeon (XFX MERC 310) RX 7900XT
    Sound Card
    Onboard (ESS Sabre HiFi using Realtek drivers)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    27-inch Eizo Color Edge - CG2700X
    Screen Resolution
    3840 x 2160
    Hard Drives
    5 Samsung SSD drives: 2X 970 NVME (512 & 1TB), 3X EVO SATA (2X 2TB, 1X 1TB)
    PSU
    EVGA Super Nova I000 G2 (1000 watt)
    Case
    Cooler Master H500M
    Cooling
    Corsair H115i Elite Capellix XT
    Keyboard
    Logitech Craft
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    500mb Download. 11mb Upload
    Browser
    Microsoft Edge Chromium
    Antivirus
    Windows Security
    Other Info
    System used for gaming, photography, music, school.
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro 23H2 (Build 22631.4391)
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon (Gen 12)
    CPU
    Intel Core Ultra 7 165U vPro® Processor
    Motherboard
    Vendor
    Memory
    32 GB LPDDR5X-6400MHz (Soldered)
    Graphics card(s)
    Intel Graphics
    Sound Card
    Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    14" 2.8K OLED, Anti Reflection, Touch, HDR 500, 400 nits, 120Hz
    Screen Resolution
    2880 x 1800
    Hard Drives
    1 TB SSD M.2 2280 PCIe Gen4 Performance TLC Opal
    PSU
    Vendor
    Case
    Lenovo
    Cooling
    Vapor Chamber Cooling
    Mouse
    Touchpad: Haptic Touchpad
    Keyboard
    Backlit, Black with Fingerprint Reader and WWAN
    Internet Speed
    100MB
    Browser
    Edge Chromium
    Antivirus
    Windows Security
    Other Info
    202. Build Your Own laptop.
    vPro Certified Model: vPro Enterprise
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