Windows update...

So, I'm running my reformatted system, and I often notice that there are many updates to be had through Windows Update. Sometimes it's a Marvel Ethernet update and other times it's an nVidia update. I have two questions regarding Windows update.

1. Is it better to always install these updates as opposed to not?

2. Are these actual driver updates? (as in I am installing a totally different driver)

Thanks.

 

As far as hardware, download only those from the manufcture's website and dont from Update.

 

Okay, could you explain the reasoning behind that?

 

Because only the manufacturer knows more about their hardware, not Microsoft. Like for instance, a videocard would work best with its drivers from ATI or NVIDIA. Same goes for the soundcard, wireless device etc

 

1. I usually stay away from any Microsoft hardware driver updates. I've had bad experiences in the past, so I download my drivers from the laptop manufacturer (or hardware vendor for after market devices).

2. Yes, they are driver updates.

Now, for laptops that don't have SP1 installed via WU due to driver issues, a new Microsoft driver might fix the problem and allow SP1 to be installed. YMMV.

 

I usually download all the updates from Microsoft Windows Updates including Hardware updates unless I have deliberately disabled say for instance the LAN Adapter and there's an update for it..then I wouldn't download it..other than that the updates from Microsoft have never really done me any harm..most of them are fixes for the OS and some are Hardware related (drivers)..so unlike kegobeer i've not had any bad experiences with any of their updates as far as I can remember.

 

Same here, and most of their updates anyway are security related, which is good to have. Plus, I haven't gotten any update related to the nVidia card, or HDD or wireless adapter, etc. that's my personal experience.

 

I have a similar LAN network adapter, the Marvel something something..
I very well remember before updating it with the Microsoft driver, it was not digitally signed but after installing the driver I received through Automatic Updates....the driver became digitally signed by Microsoft Windows Hardware Compatibility Publisher (something like that)

I noticed when I installed a new HDD, after installing windows on it, I updated my system through Microsoft Update and that also included the NIC driver update from Microsoft....
I am not sure if it will be the same in your case as well....because I normally update drivers through VersionTracker and not from the manufacturer's website..

 

When the hardware manufacturer's driver could not be found on their website or anywhere else, Windows Update is a good alternative to use.

 

I use Windows Live Update to do it's thing, but if I need something specific like Nvidia, I look that up seperatley.