HP PCs - Updating Drivers and Software with Windows Update (Windows 10, 8, 7) This document is for HP and Compaq computers and tablets using Windows 10, Windows 8, or Windows 7. Windows Update is a tool that determines which updates apply to your computer and installs them. Looking for updates to Windows? As of November 2016, Microsoft Windows Updates are now available for download from the Microsoft Update Catalog only. As always, all updates will still be available via WSUS, SCCM, and Windows Update – this change is only for manual downloads. Visit Microsoft Update Catalog.
On Windows 10, the automatic update mechanism is a convenient system that provides maintenance and security patches as well as updates for Microsoft products and device drivers.
Although drivers available through Windows Update usually work pretty well, they're not always the most up to date, and sometimes getting driver updates automatically are known to cause issues on specific hardware configurations.
In previous versions, you're able to exclude drivers using the Windows Update settings, but that option is no longer available in the Settings app. However, it's still possible to prevent Windows 10 from downloading driver updates using the Local Group Policy Editor and Registry.
In this Windows 10 guide, we'll walk you through the steps to prevent Windows Update from including driver updates during automatic maintenance.
How to stop updates for drivers with Windows Update using Group Policy
If you're running Windows 10 Pro, the easiest way to stop getting driver updates from Windows Update is using the Local Group Policy Editor with these steps:
After completing the steps, your device will continue to receive security and other patches, but drivers will be excluded.
If you need help downloading and installing device drivers manually, we have you covered with everything you need to know in this guide.
In the case you change your mind, you can roll back the previous settings using the same instructions, but on step No. 5, select the Not Configured option.
How to stop updates for drivers with Windows Update using Registry
On Windows 10 Home, you won't have access to the Local Group Policy Editor, but you can still exclude driver updates by modifying the Registry with these steps:
Warning: This is a friendly reminder that editing the Registry is risky, and it can cause irreversible damage to your installation if you don't do it correctly. It's recommended to make a full backup of your PC before proceeding.
Once you've completed the steps, cumulative updates will continue to download, but you won't receive updates for drivers.
Driver Updates For Windows 10 Slimware
At any time you can revert the changes using the same instructions, but on step No. 4, inside the WindowsUpdate (folder) key, make sure to right-click the ExcludeWUDriversInQualityUpdate DWORD and select the Delete option.
Wrapping things up
While we're outlining the steps to disable driver updates, we're not saying that you should block this type of updates as they're required for hardware to work correctly. However, there are special cases when you may need to use custom drivers or drivers provided by your manufacturer, instead of those available through Windows Update, and in these situations, this guide can come in handy.
If you're having problems with a single driver update, it's recommended to temporarily block that update using the Show or hide updates tool.
More Windows 10 resources
For more helpful articles, coverage, and answers to common questions about Windows 10, visit the following resources:
A device driver is an essential piece of code that allows Windows 10 to detect and interact with a specific piece of hardware (such as graphics card, hard drive, or network adapter), as well as peripherals, including mice, keyboards, printers, monitors, and many others.
Usually, Windows 10 can detect and install drivers automatically using the array of product drivers built into the system and Windows Update. However, on occasion, you may have to update a device manually for a number of reasons. For instance, when a particular piece of hardware isn't recognized automatically, stops working after an upgrade, Windows Update installs a generic package, or you need to access a new feature or bug fix.
Whatever the reason, Windows 10 comes with several options to update a device driver, including using Windows Update, Device Manager, and using auto-update assistants from device manufacturers.
In this Windows 10 guide, we walk you through several ways to properly update hardware drivers on your computer. In addition, we also outline the steps to determine if the driver was updated successfully.
How to update drivers using Windows Update
Although it can take some time until manufacturers publish their latest driver updates in Windows Update, it's still the recommended method to download and install drivers, because packages in this channel have been tested, verified, and signed by Microsoft.
To quickly update device drivers using Windows Update, use these steps:
Once you complete the steps, if a driver is missing after an upgrade or clean installation, or a new driver has been published to improve an older version, it'll download and install automatically.
How to update drivers using Device Manager
Alternatively, you can also update drivers for a printer, wireless adapter, monitor, and other components using Device Manager.
Installing a driver from Microsoft
To update a device driver with Device Manager on Windows 10, use these steps:
After you complete the steps, if a newer update is available, Device Manager will download and install the package automatically similar to Windows Update.
Installing a driver from the manufacturer
In the case that the driver isn't available through Windows Update, because it's too recent or available only in beta, you'll need to download and install the package from your manufacturer's support website manually.
When getting an update from a manufacturer support website, you should always follow their instructions, but if there are no instructions, double-click the '.exe' self-extracting package, or use this guide to extract the content of the '.zip' compressed file, and then use these steps:
Once you complete the steps, the new driver will install on your computer to improve the overall experience with fixes, new functionalities, or new support depending on the update.
While you can manually update a component using this method, typically, you would use these steps to install older hardware. If you're dealing with an old printer, you should follow these steps.
How to update graphics drivers on Windows 10
Although it's often not recommended to update drivers, unless necessary, graphics manufacturers are continually rolling out updates to improve the experience and support of displays and fix problems with PC games.
If you need the most recent update for your graphics card, instead of waiting to arrive through Windows Update, you can use the graphics control panel available from Nvidia, AMD, and Intel to download and install the most up-to-date driver.
You can use the links below to download the software that corresponds to your brand:
After downloading the app for your graphics card, installing the software should be as easy as your typical next, next, next wizard, and then clicking the update button from the driver's section to install the latest driver.
Downloading graphics driver manually
If you don't want to add an extra piece of software on your computer, you can also download the latest graphics drivers directly from your manufacturer support website.
You can use the links below to download the latest graphics driver:
Once you download the package, make sure to follow your manufacturer instructions to complete the installation.
Downloading graphics driver automatically
If you're not sure the model of your graphics card, most companies also offer an assistant tool to check, download, and install the latest driver automatically.
You can use the links below to download and run the auto-detect and install driver assistant for your graphics card:
While on the website, click the download button for the assistant. Then double-click the executable, and continue with the on-screen directions to complete the driver update.
If you're using an integrated graphics card from Intel, you should remember that computer manufacturers can modify drivers to limit or expand their functionalities to operate smoothly in their devices. This means that if you have a desktop, laptop, or tablet from a company (such as Dell, HP, Lenovo, Asus, etc.), it's recommended to get the latest update from their support website, instead of Intel. Otherwise, it's likely that your device may experience unexpected behaviors, including missing features and configurations.
How to determine if a driver updated successfully
Once you install an update for a particular driver, you also want to make sure the latest version was applied correctly.
To see the driver information on Windows 10, use these steps:
After you complete the steps, if these details match the information provided by the manufacturer, then you're running the latest version of the driver.
More Windows 10 resources
For more helpful articles, coverage, and answers to common questions about Windows 10, visit the following resources:
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Logitech MX Master Wireless Mouse($72 at Amazon)
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