Should i Install Drivers Manually or leave Windows Update do it ?


  1. Posts : 12
    Windows 8.1
       #1

    Should i Install Drivers Manually or leave Windows Update do it ?


    Hi guys im about to reinstall windows 10 on my Lenovo Laptop ,so i want to know about the drivers, should i manually install them or leave windows update do it ?
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 42,963
    Win 10 Pro (22H2) (2nd PC is 22H2)
       #2

    Normally Windows will provide the drivers for your PC and update them appropriately. Exceptionally some people need to use e.g. older drivers for older PCs. As you've had Win 10 on your laptop, you should know whether you needed to take any special action.

    Avoid 3rd party driver update tools- they are useful only in exceptional circumstances.
      My Computers


  3. Posts : 15,037
    Windows 10 IoT
       #3

    I just let Windows Update do it. Then, if I still have something that doesn't work, I'll go looking. So far I haven't had to go hunt anything up manually.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 5,452
    Windows 11 Home
       #4

    As mentioned, it depends, if you have problems, but basically Windows Update is dumb, talking about driver updates.
    Lets say Realtek Audio driver, there is a new one every 2 weeks, but the latest provided by Windows update is from 2015.
    On the other hand, it insists on installing the latest desktop AMD drivers, which results in a black screen on my Lenovo.
    I use Driver Easy Free for years, it finds drivers even Windows fails to find and helped me to solve some problems. :)
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 15,037
    Windows 10 IoT
       #5

    TairikuOkami said:
    As mentioned, it depends, if you have problems, but basically Windows Update is dumb, talking about driver updates.
    Lets say Realtek Audio driver, there is a new one every 2 weeks, but the latest provided by Windows update is from 2015.
    On the other hand, it insists on installing the latest desktop AMD drivers, which results in a black screen on my Lenovo.
    I use Driver Easy Free for years, it finds drivers even Windows fails to find and helped me to solve some problems. :)
    Windows update only supplies the drivers the manufacturers submit to Microsoft. It doesn't go out and get any drivers from other sources. It can only supply what it has on hand. If a driver is out of date its because that manufacturer didn't submit a newer one to Microsoft for distribution. It's not Windows Update/Microsoft's fault that some drivers are old.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 27,181
    Win11 Pro, Win10 Pro N, Win10 Home, Windows 8.1 Pro, Ubuntu
       #6

    One driver you should install(get from your OEMs site) is the one for your keyboard, so you can use the special "Fn" keys, and any additional keys that are not default for every other keyboard, such as LVT for Lenovo's Black Silk.
      My Computers


  7. Posts : 2,799
    Linux Mint 20.1 Win10Prox64
       #7

    Easiest way. Here's what I'd do: Backup all drivers from your current Windows:
    download Double Driver 4.1 Download - TechSpot
    is a portable version (no install) that you can backup all drivers and save them in a folder of USB stick/external HD. After performing new installation, run it again as Admin then restore everything from this folder then let Windows Updates doing its thing thereafter.
    NOTE: You can also create a folder to backup in the same Windows Installation Media (USB/DVD).
    Should i Install Drivers Manually or leave Windows Update do it ?-2016-10-08_3-09-43.png
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 5,452
    Windows 11 Home
       #8

    alphanumeric said:
    It's not Windows Update/Microsoft's fault that some drivers are old.
    Realtek Audio drivers are regularly updated in Microsoft update catalog.

    Latest Realtek HD Audio Driver Version - Windows 10 Forums
      My Computer


 

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