The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.

    How often shoud I update drivers?

    Discussion in 'Windows OS and Software' started by THAANSA3, Apr 22, 2008.

  1. THAANSA3

    THAANSA3 Exit Stage Left

    Reputations:
    171
    Messages:
    1,885
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    I have a general question about drivers. How often should I be looking to update my drivers? Is it something that I must do manually, or is it something that is taken care of with Windows automatic updates?
     
    THAANSA3, Apr 22, 2008
    #1
  2. jin07

    jin07 Notebook Deity NBR Reviewer

    Reputations:
    1,194
    Messages:
    1,889
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    I check whenever I'm bored. It's not really vital unless there's a problem or you game. Windows update sometimes has some updates (had some for my wireless card awhile ago), but I stick with the ones HP provides.
     
    jin07, Apr 22, 2008
    #2
  3. THAANSA3

    THAANSA3 Exit Stage Left

    Reputations:
    171
    Messages:
    1,885
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    So, is it better to go with the drivers from Microsoft or from the computer manufacturer? I've always heard that its better to go through Microsoft, but I read that on Microsoft's site, so that could be distorted a bit.
     
    THAANSA3, Apr 22, 2008
    #3
  4. System89

    System89 Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    20
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    go through microsoft... i think windows updater get the new versions of driver u already have...
     
    System89, Apr 22, 2008
    #4
  5. jin07

    jin07 Notebook Deity NBR Reviewer

    Reputations:
    1,194
    Messages:
    1,889
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    I just stick with the computer manufacturer unless if it's for the GPU. I usually don't need or care about updating them. Plus, windows gets some drivers, but not all of them. The most important update (to me) is the BIOS update which I'm pretty sure can only be gotten from the manufacturer.
     
    jin07, Apr 22, 2008
    #5
  6. qhn

    qhn Notebook User

    Reputations:
    1,654
    Messages:
    5,955
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    205
    personal preferences:

    2-3 times in years, or when issues arise in running comp (especially gpu/bios/network related device)

    . Vista: i currently rely on manufacturers to get their drivers submitted to m$
    . XP: manual search

    cheers ...
     
    qhn, Apr 22, 2008
    #6
  7. flipfire

    flipfire Moderately Boss

    Reputations:
    6,156
    Messages:
    11,214
    Likes Received:
    68
    Trophy Points:
    466
    Windows update is the worst place to get drivers. Many cases where it retrieves the wrong drivers and the device stops working

    The best place is your notebooks driver website or device's websites

    I can recommend to update depending on the importance/severity of the update. Aslong as its the 100% correct driver id can say go for it..
     
    flipfire, Apr 22, 2008
    #7
  8. Shadowfate

    Shadowfate Wala pa rin ako maisip e.

    Reputations:
    424
    Messages:
    1,329
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    56
    To the OP question.

    Personnaly NEVER(for simple users)

    why?? because it sometimes makes things even worse.
    If it is not broken don't fix it.

    I only update when Sp1 came out. and sometimes the GPU but I now tend to be stuck with a specific driver.
     
    Shadowfate, Apr 22, 2008
    #8
  9. System64

    System64 Windows 7 x64

    Reputations:
    94
    Messages:
    1,318
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    I do it monthly, to ensure that i don't miss out on new functionalities and performance that the drivers may add.
     
    System64, Apr 22, 2008
    #9
  10. THAANSA3

    THAANSA3 Exit Stage Left

    Reputations:
    171
    Messages:
    1,885
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    I thank you all for responding. Shadowfate, I haven't updated my desktop drivers in a very very long time and everything still functions, so I see your point. System, that was precisely the reason why I asked the question. I think that I may decide to get on a regimen similar to yours once I get more knowledgeable about drivers.
     
    THAANSA3, Apr 22, 2008
    #10
  11. onlycopunk

    onlycopunk Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    32
    Messages:
    289
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    GPU monthly, the rest, whenever I am bored.
     
    onlycopunk, Apr 22, 2008
    #11