Windows 10 could make installing and updating drivers easier than ever

[Karlston]

Windows 10 could make installing and updating drivers easier than ever

Apparently all hardware makers will benefit from Microsoft’s QA processes (ahem)

(Image credit: Microsoft)

 

Microsoft is beginning the rollout of changes to the way updates work in Windows 10, with a new system of optional updates now being implemented for drivers which aren’t a compulsory installation.

 

Bringing in optional updates has been in the works for quite some time, and what Microsoft is doing here – as explained in a Techcommunity blog post – is giving hardware makers a way to deploy drivers as automatic (delivered as normal) or manual (the latter meaning as an optional update).

 

Microsoft explains: “Driver publishing can be complicated. Optional drivers have various methods of acquisition, which creates confusion. Starting now we are making changes to streamline things a bit.

 

“All partners will now be able to publish drivers as automatic! This grants access to driver flighting, and gradual rollout. Which will allow Microsoft, and our partners to detect issues earlier and take corrective action if necessary.”

 

So Windows 10 users will see an Optional Updates area which can be clicked through to, containing drivers that can be manually installed, or simply left alone if the user prefers. Much like things were with Windows 7 and 8, of course, which also featured optional updates that could be left aside.

Justification isn’t optional

If a hardware manufacturer wants to choose optional (manual) delivery, they must “explain the business justification for the choice.”

 

With automatic delivery – which is the default – Microsoft notes that all driver manufacturers will now be able to benefit from “Microsoft’s quality and reliability processes”.

 

Which of course sounds like a good idea in theory, but when you look at the way Microsoft’s quality assurance has been going with updates this year – and indeed in 2019 – we’re not sure all that many Windows 10 users are going to be particularly reassured by those words.

 

Windows 10 has been continually hitting problems with cumulative updates, damaging Microsoft’s reputation considerably, and indeed actively damaging user data as we’ve recently seen.

 

Microsoft concludes its blog post by stating: “We believe that this new effort will enable our collective customers to get the highest quality, and most reliable drivers faster and with less friction.”

 

 

Source: Windows 10 could make installing and updating drivers easier than ever (TechRadar)

[Sylence]

Tbh I never need to keep driver CDs, driver setup files from 3rd party sites anymore. I just install Windows 10 and everything is downloaded from Windows update and it keeps them updated.

I do this on a few of my machines, old and new.

the only driver that i manually install is my graphic card driver because I want to use the beta drivers but Windows installs the stable driver by default.

[erp-ster0]

Karlston

 

that feature will only be available to Win10 versions 20H1 & higher and will not be "backported" to 1903 & 1909 versions:

 

https://borncity.com/win/2020/02/20/windows-10-changes-in-driver-updates/

 

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Addendum: I asked Microsoft in a comment in Techcommunity article, for which Windows 10 version this feature will be available.

Are the changes in Windows 10 UX for Windows 10 2004 – or will be see a backport to supported older Windows 10 builds via WU?

Microsoft employee kevintremblay has meanwhile answered directly and clarified that this option only comes for Windows 10 version 2004 and higher.

The changes to Ux for Windows 10 20H1 detailed here will not be backported to previous releases. For older versions of Windows Manual drivers are obtained via Device Manager (same as Optional drivers were).

 

 

https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/microsoft/microsoft-rolls-out-new-windows-10-optional-update-experience/

 

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Update 2/20/20: Updated with information about UI changes not coming until Windows 10 2004 (20H1).