Windows update is supposed to keep drivers updated

WU won't always install the latest driver but usually offers only stable working drivers.

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/wi...r-for-a-device

   Note

In Windows 10, version 1709 and greater, Windows Update (WU) offers the best matching driver package, which is not necessarily the most recent. The WU driver package selection process considers hardware ID, date/version, and critical/automatic/optional category. WU prioritizes critical or automatic driver packages highest. If a matching critical/automatic driver package is not found, WU looks next for optional driver packages. As a result, an older critical driver package of otherwise equal value takes precedence over a newer optional driver package.

Starting with Windows 10, version 2004, Windows Update (WU) automatically offers only the best automatic/critical matching driver package, searching both the computer and WU. To see matching driver packages in the optional category, go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update > View optional updates > Driver updates. WU still uses the same criteria to rank and select a driver.

Personally I never auto install any driver update. I only update drivers manually and often don't update them just to get some new feature that I don't need or want.

eLPuSHeR said:

Hello.
According to WU, my GeForce GTX1050 must be stuck with a 2020 driver even if installing latest nVidia drivers work just fine. This means WU cannot be trusted as far as drivers updates are concerned.

Why are you depending upon WU for GPU driver updates? WU has never been required to do provide them. I will take drivers that WU offers but never depends upon it. The best place to get the latest Nvidia GPU driver is directly from NVIDIA. Here is the latest driver for the GeForce GTX1050.

GeForce Game Ready Driver
GeForce Game Ready Driver | 545.84 | Windows 10 64-bit, Windows 11 | NVIDIA
Version: 545.84 WHQL
Release Date: 2023.10.17
Operating System: Windows 10 64-bit, Windows 11

eLPuSHeR said:

This means WU cannot be trusted as far as drivers updates are concerned.

You're not alone.
WU keeps offering me a two year old driver for my Intel GPU despite my having updated it using Intel's own support assistant.
The WU-offered version is the final version that Dell offered before they stopped supporting this computer two years ago. I regarded my first non-Dell update of it as a bit of an experiment but I'm now on about the fourth Intel update for it since then and have not experienced any problems at all.
I always regard WU offering me a driver merely as a sign that I ought to investigate the subject. I don't accept their offer.


All the best,
Denis

Try3 said:

You're not alone.
WU keeps offering me a two year old driver for my Intel GPU despite my having updated it using Intel's own support assistant.
The WU-offered version is the final version that Dell offered before they stopped supporting this computer two years ago. I regarded my first non-Dell update of it as a bit of an experiment but I'm now on about the fourth Intel update for it since then and have not experienced any problems at all.
I always regard WU offering me a driver merely as a sign that I ought to investigate the subject. I don't accept their offer.


All the best,
Denis

Note if if you buy desktop computer from an OEM such as a Dell with an nVidia GPU don't expect Dell to have the latest GPU driver. The most current nVidia GPU driver can be found at the nVidia support site.

The best way to check for the newest GPU driver update:

• For Nvidia GPUs run the app GeForce Experience
• For AMD GPUs run the app Radeon Settings