Do You Update Drivers Thru Win Update or Seperately?

PJStyles

New member
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
 

My Computer

OS
Windows 7
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
 

My Computer

Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
HP Pavillion dv-7 1005 Tx
OS
Win 8 Release candidate 8400
CPU
[email protected]
Memory
4 gigs
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Nvidia 9600M
Sound Card
HD built-in
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17" Wxga
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1440x900
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none
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45Mb down 5Mb up
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?

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
 

My Computer

OS
Windows 7
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.
 

My Computer

Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Self built
OS
Windows 7 Ultimate 32 & 64 -(Boot Camped Snow Leopard on a Mac Mini)
CPU
AMD Athlon A64 X2 6000+ 3.1GHz
Motherboard
DFI LanParty Jr 790GX M2RS
Memory
4GB Corsair XMS RAM
Graphics Card(s)
Gigabyte ATI Radeon HD4550/512MB/DDR3 passive cooled
Sound Card
latest RealTek HD/HDMI drivers
Monitor(s) Displays
Samsung LN40A550 (primary); Zalman 7" LCD (secondary)
Screen Resolution
1920x1080 ; 800x600
Hard Drives
WD Raptor for OS
Seagate 7211 640GB
Two Samsung EcoGreens for TV in RAID 0 = 3TB
Two WD MyBook 1TB externals for B/U and Movies
Optical Drive:
LG GGC-H20L Super Multi Blue BluRay/HD-DVD internal
PSU
Corsair HX520W
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Zalman HD160XT
Cooling
Zalman CNPS9500Cu on processor - Four Nexus case fans
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Gyration wireless Media Center Keyboard
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Gyration Cordless Optical Air Mouse
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6344 kbps Down/1043 kbps Up (Comcast cable)
Other Info
HDMI audio/video out to Yamaha RX-V1065 receiver.
All controlled by a Harmony One universal remote.

Four other home built computers plus a Mac Mini, but this is my main Win7 testbed.
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.
 

My Computer

Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Custom | Whitebox
OS
Windows 7 Ultimate, OS X 10.7, Ubuntu 11.04
CPU
Intel E6750 @ 3.80GHz
Motherboard
Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3L (Revision 1.1)
Memory
2x2GB & 2x1GB (6GB) OCZ Reaper 1066MHz @ 1080MHz
Graphics Card(s)
EVGA nVidia GTX 260 896mb (216 Core) FTW Edition
Sound Card
Realtek ALC888
Monitor(s) Displays
21" VIZIO TV
Screen Resolution
1680x1050 @ 60Hz
Hard Drives
Western Digital WD6401AALS - 640GB
Hitachi HDP725016GLA380 - 160GB
PSU
Corsair 750W
Case
NZXT Nemesis Elite
Cooling
Thermaltake SpinQ
Keyboard
Logitech Wireless S520
Mouse
Logitech Wireless S520 - Microsoft Wireless Arc Mouse
Internet Speed
Download: 20mbps, Upload: 3mbps
93% of drivers I source directly from the manufacturers sites.
 

My Computer

Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Systems by SmartEyeball
OS
8 Pro x64
CPU
i7 3770K 4.6GHz
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ASUS P8Z77 WS
Memory
16GB G.Skill Trident X 2666mhz
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x2 EVGA 780 Ti Superclocked SLI
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SB X-FI Surround 5.1 PRO USB / ATH-AD900 Headphones
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x3 Dell U2410 / 58" Samsung
Screen Resolution
5760*1200/ 1920*1200
Hard Drives
2x Intel 520 240GB (RAID 0) * 2x WD Caviar Blacks 2TB (RAID 0) * 2TB WD Caviar Black * Sony Optirac DVD
PSU
Silverstone Strider Evolution 1200W
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Thermaltake Level 10 GT Snow Edition
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Noctua NH-D14
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Topre Realforce // Ducky Shine MX Black // Filco Ninja TKL
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Thermaltake Theron (Highly Recommended) + Razer Imperator
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MSE
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IE, FF, WaterFox
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GT Extreme V2 Sim Racing Cockpit + 40" LCD and K/B Mouse stand ▼
Fanatec CSR Elite Wheel + Clubsport V1 Pedals + CSR shifter/7G-H ▼Saitek X52 Pro ▼ TrackIR 5 Pro
Buttkicker v2 Seat Rumbler with Dedicated 5.1 and Sub Woofer attached to frame ▼
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Bloody Big Grin
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