Is it safe to download drivers from Windows Update?

[isaaclopez]

I remember in Vista almost everyone said not to download drivers from Microsoft Update. But is it now safe in Windows 7? I think it is because I had downloaded a driver from HP and it caused problems. I downloaded a driver from the manufacturer website. It still caused problems. I tried it through Microsoft Update seeing as I had nothing else to lose and no problems. Is it just me or everyone else? I will add a poll to see results.

 

[Lebon14]

For me, I got problems with them. I always consider that the best drivers are those downloaded directly from the manufacturer's website.

So, my answer is "No."

 

[Dzomlija]

I remember in Vista almost everyone said not to download drivers from Microsoft Update. But is it now safe in Windows 7? I think it is because I had downloaded a driver from HP and it caused problems. I downloaded a driver from the manufacturer website. It still caused problems. I tried it through Microsoft Update seeing as I had nothing else to lose and no problems. Is it just me or everyone else? I will add a poll to see results.

Like Lebon14, I also always prefer to download drivers from the original manufacturers website. Who better than the people who actually made the device?

But you shold also remember that all the drivers that are made available on Windows Update do originally come from the manufacturers, and that they have passed the WHQL (Windows Hardware Quality Labs) testing. I've downloaded drivers for both Vista and Windows 7 from Windows Update, and have not had problem, so I voted Yes.

Although downloading from the original manufacturer does have the advantage of only needing to download once, so that you can keep a copy of the download for re-install later without having to re-download.

 

[Mercurial]

its the safest available for me...

 

[gregrocker]

One of the biggest changes with Windows 7 is that MS funded the (WHQL) partnership with all manufacturers to build drivers for Windows 7.

So because they paid the bill, they have the drivers first in the installer, during install if you stay connected to the internet, and continuously as newer are made available via Windows Updates.

And because MS paid the bill, they were able to persuade manufacturers to not drag their feet producing drivers for compatible software so that customers are forced to buy new hardware as in Vista.

That's why I look forward to new drivers from Windows Update, which are probably more current than the manufacturer's website.

As always, if Updates are problematic, use the restore point which is set with each one to troubleshoot the exact Update which is causing the problem. And remember MS supports Updates via email on the Update website.

 

[FuturDreamz]

Windows update is the only place to get my GMA500 driver for Windows 7, and it is MUCH better than the Vista one.

 

[win7clutz]

I've had no problem with drivers from MS update and encourage clients to accept all MS updates...

 

[KazeNoKoe23]

It's safe, but if there are drivers available on the manufacturer's website, I personally recommend those, particularly for video drivers.

 

[Joan Archer]

I've been getting my drivers from Windows Update when they become available, I know when I was using Vista quite often they would not install but since Windows 7 there have been no problems, I have built in sound and vision.

 

[Wishmaster]

I voted YES

i agree, best to get your drivers from the manufacturer themselves, however, the drivers you get from Update seem to work without issue.
Worst case scenario: the device will only have limited functionality untill you DL and install the most up-to-date from the manufacturer.
But it will work.

 

[Qdos]

Yes. However solely because you can roll back when it goes wrong, and that does happen. Windows update palms me NIC drivers which render my network connection inoperable if I allow it to install drivers by itself - work still needs doing on the system... :shock:

 

[mitchell64]

I would have to vote yes with most, i am unsure about chipset/graphics?
I have always been in the habit of downloading the installers from the manufacturer solely for the reason of having them on hand if i have to reinstall Windows
It makes the whole process faster & easier

 

[severedsolo]

iv never had any problems, in fact the only problems iv ever had with Microsoft Update, was in Vista where it hink i downloaded a corrupt SP2 as it was causing my pc to freeze and crash all the time, (more than Vista likes to do anyway i mean) but a system restore fixed that....

i voted yes due to these reasons, but i do prefer to download from the manufacturors where possible, (except Belkin... who iv had to start getting my drivers from RAlink for the N adapter i bought... and i dont think they give out over MS update....)

 

[HJA]

They are safe but the mfgr's drivers are always preferred by me.

 

[garysgold]

I've had no problems with drivers from Update so far. Voted yes.

 

[ccatlett1984]

Only had one issue, on a dell optiplex 755, it grabbed an update for a system device and the optical drive disappeared. Rolled that driver back and its fine now though.

 

[Klaw117]

I voted yes because it is usually safe (nothing bad has ever happened to me, but I don't know about you guys), but I always prefer downloading them from the maufacturer's website.

 

[D3ftOn3Z]

Safe for me...Haven't had any probs with updating my drivers through MS.
Voted yes.

 

[Zidane24]

Yes. However solely because you can roll back when it goes wrong, and that does happen. Windows update palms me NIC drivers which render my network connection inoperable if I allow it to install drivers by itself - work still needs doing on the system... :shock:

When something doesn't need work done on it...that is when I get scared:shock:

 

[kodi]

I voted no, most time it works ok.
Windows updates have decided that their generic drivers for my Logitech Keyboard and Mouse are the best one's and won't let me install Logitech's, as a result I paid a fortune for a basic function mouse and keyboard.