Whether To Use Windows and/or Software Makers Drivers

gary palmer · 17 Jun 2017

Am aware when new hardware device is connected to PC; windows will search for & automatically install 'supposedly appropriate drivers'. After this the software maker drivers can be installed.

Recently I installed a new graphic card and upon start of PC windows started installing drivers which also included a graphic driver. However the graphic driver is not the most suited for a game I play called DCS World. I stopped the install of Windows choice of drivers halfway and then installed a specific Nvidia graphic driver of my choice.

Problems after this as I had a corrupted install of Nvidia driver. Fix was to run a program call DDU (Display Driver Uninstaller) to clean out any graphic driver software remnants/leftovers. Then do a clean fresh install of graphic driver of my choice.

Question. Does one always need to let Windows automatically install drivers for hardware; then as further step then install the hardware manufacturers software for the device on top. In other words is it standard for 'two lots of software' to be installed in general. One by Windows and one by maker of new installed hardware? How does one know whether to install both or just one? Confusing!

Am aware that I can go to Advanced System Settings>System Properties>Device Installation Settings ... and choose yes/no for 'Windows to Automatically download and install software'. In hindsight with graphic card I should have selected No before installing graphics card then after boot up of PC installed my choice of Nvidia driver...then after all done sets windows choice to yes for auto install of software if that is desired...in most case Windows downloading software automatically is trouble free.

Thx...Gary

fireberd · 17 Jun 2017

The primary difference between what Windows will find and install and the drivers direct from the vendor is the driver available from the vendor may be a later driver. Microsoft has a driver validation process that can take months and thus the latest driver from Microsoft may not be the latest and greatest from the hardware vendor. This is not always the case as some hardware vendors drivers may be years old (and not need updating), thus installing a hardware vendors driver over top of a Microsoft installed version may result in the same driver. Finally some vendor drivers are only available as "plug and play" thus no driver is available direct from the vendor. Roland did this for their drivers in Windows 10, none are available on their site, just the plug and play drivers from Microsoft.

gary palmer · 17 Jun 2017

Thanks Fireberd and I found your reply useful....Can you shed any light on my question as per:

Question. Does one always need to let Windows automatically install drivers for hardware; then as further step then install the hardware manufacturers software for the device on top. In other words is it standard for 'two lots of software' to be installed in general. One by Windows and one by maker of new installed hardware? How does one know whether to install both or just one? Confusing!

My guess is that they may be some situations where some Windows software may be needed as well as the vendors software...an example I can think of straight away are Microsoft Visual C+ redistributables or Direct X...where in the case of my PC are essential for certain games to run and also Avast Antivirus. Am aware though often the vendor provides such software as an integrated part of vendor software.

Sounds like I am answering my own question here but any insight from another is welcome.

Thankyou...GAry

Barman58 · 17 Jun 2017

Microsoft does not write drivers for any hardware other than their own, as has been stated, the age and functionality may differ dependent on the will of the hardware manufacturer, some will supply Microsoft with a reduced function set than it offers itself - Probably this is to reduce issues with getting MS approval but it does happen

As for the download issue ...
~~Enable or Disable Driver Updates in Windows Update in Windows 10 Windows 10 Windows Update Activation Tutorials~~

Device Installation Settings - Windows 7 Help Forums

fireberd · 17 Jun 2017

If something such as C++ is needed, that will be included with the driver or the driver will download the needed compiler. Its nothing to really be concerned about.

Best option is to let Windows do whatever it does and if something doesn't work as you want then check the hardware vendor for an updated (or full feature) driver.

Games can pose many issues that are actually deficiencies in the game software and not a Windows or driver issue. I see many times people blame Windows for a problem when in fact its not a Windows "problem" but a problem within a program or vendor driver.

gary palmer · 19 Jun 2017

Look at attached pic and can someone please tell me which radar buttons under 'No' do I select so rather than windows just automatically downloading/installing drivers I am prompted by Windows to say Yes/No and therefore manually I make the decision.

Is it a case that by selecting 'No' combined with any sub-menu radar button for 'No' will have this happen? Or is it a case of selecting 'No' and the sub-menu radar button with words: 'Never install driver software from Windows Update' needs to be selected too.

I just want a situation where I can manually choose Yes/No whether to have Windows search/download/install drivers. They are times I want Windows to do nothing as I want to install vendors software

Thanks all for your help...GAry

Barman58 · 19 Jun 2017

Probably the No 2 is closest to what you want, but I would be more likely to choose No3 and do everything Manually - Most drivers do not change that often, most changes are are for issues that only some users experience. The old saying If it ain't broke ... is still a good one.

Also a bit of regular surfing will normally be enough to keep you informed on the major drivers status so you can investigate and then decide

gary palmer · 19 Jun 2017

Thanks Barman58. 95% of the time I would just let Windows look for drivers automatically. Am asking these questions for the odd occasion where I want to prevent windows from doing its auto thing and I make the choice. For example the latest video card driver for my Nvidia GTX1060 is not best for game I play called DCS World. Windows cannot work this stuff out so I have to; and a manual choice is important to achieve that correct choice. I think it is best to minimize the uninstalling/reinstalling process in general as garbage always seems to get left behind and occasionally this causes tricky problems...that expression: 'if it ain't broke leave it alone' is so true.

When I next need the manual choice I will select radar button 3 (never install driver software from Windows Update) as you suggested. And install my choice via Device Manager entry for hardware. After all done then go back and set to Auto.

I must say the way Windows words things is far from intuitive hence my thread here. Thankyou for taking the time to reply to my thread...Gary

mitchell65 · 19 Jun 2017

Just to add my two pennyworth - your system should create a system restore point automatically before installing an update but have you considered making regular system backups using Macrium Reflect (Free)?