Windows 7 - Do You Update Drivers Thru Win Update or Seperately?

I was wondering whether everyone here updates their drivers simply with what becomes available on the Windows Update site or do you download them seperately from each of the manufacturers?

I'm curious whether Microsoft even updates Windows Update with manufacturer drivers when they release new ones. Curious what everyone's take is.

Thanks

PJStyles

Welcome again

I dont recommend "driver detective" type apps. I use the built in upgrade and do check the mfr sites as needed

Ken

Funny you say this Ken because previously, I was using Driver Genius but I have a funny suspicion that one of the updates I did through that tool butchered my OS which has caused me to re-format and start over today. Hence why I'm posing these questions

I consider myself pretty computer savvy and often built my own machines going back 20+ years now. However, sometimes I think we try to be too cute with things that leads to trouble.

So based on your reponse, my understanding is that you pretty much stick to Windows Update for most driver updates unless you see a need to look them up directly on the manufacturer's website?

For me, it depends on the driver. For example, the driver Windows wanted me to install for my Linksys WUSB600N wireless network adapter never worked as well as an old driver I downloaded from the Linksys site under RC1. However the latest driver on Win Update works just fine on my RTM install. Not a big deal to change drivers if the one you have isn't doing the job.

I generally use Windows Update for my drivers. I do however check the manufacture websites (particularly Intel's site for my graphics) to see if I'm getting the latest version of not.

93% of drivers I source directly from the manufacturers sites.