Windows Update is the default, and that is usually fine
For most people, the drivers delivered through Windows Update are enough. Microsoft distributes drivers that hardware vendors have submitted and that have passed compatibility testing. They install quietly, update in the background, and are chosen to match the hardware Windows detects. If your PC works and you have no specific complaint, letting Windows Update manage your drivers is a reasonable and low-risk choice.
How it delivers drivers
When Windows Update runs, it can install two kinds of driver updates:
- Automatic driver updates bundled with regular quality updates. These arrive without you asking.
- Optional driver updates, which you opt into manually.
To review optional drivers, open Settings, go to Windows Update, choose Advanced options, then Optional updates, and expand Driver updates. Windows lists drivers it has available but has not installed automatically. You can pick and choose from this list.
Checking for updates manually
Open Settings and select Windows Update, then click Check for updates. Windows contacts Microsoft's servers and offers whatever applies to your system. Install pending updates, then reboot if prompted so the changes take effect.
The strengths of Windows Update drivers
- They are tested for compatibility with your Windows version.
- They are digitally signed, so Windows trusts them without warnings.
- Installation and rollback are handled by the operating system.
- You avoid third-party download sites entirely.
The real limits
Windows Update is conservative by design, and that creates gaps:
- It lags behind. A vendor may ship a newer driver on its own site weeks or months before Windows Update offers it, if it ever does.
- It omits companion software. Control panels, tuning utilities, and feature apps generally are not delivered here. You get the core driver, not the full experience.
- It may not have your exact part. For niche or professional hardware, the vendor's own package can be the only source.
- It can occasionally replace a driver you chose. If you installed a specific version deliberately, an automatic update might swap it.
When to go to the manufacturer instead
Turn to the vendor or OEM support page when:
- You need a feature that only the full software suite provides.
- You are chasing a bug fix that the vendor has released but Windows Update has not offered.
- A gaming or creative workload benefits from the latest graphics driver.
- Windows shows a device with no driver at all and Windows Update cannot supply one.
When not to update at all
Updating is not automatically good. If a system is stable and doing everything you need, a new driver can introduce as many problems as it solves. Skip an update when:
- The device is working and you have no specific issue to fix.
- The release notes describe features you do not use.
- You are in the middle of important work and cannot afford to troubleshoot a regression.
Stability has value. "If it is not broken, do not fix it" applies well to drivers.
Pausing updates when you need control
If an automatic update is causing trouble, you can pause Windows Update for a period from Settings and Windows Update. This buys time to identify the culprit and, if needed, roll back a driver before the update reapplies. Remember to resume updates afterward, because security patches still matter.
A note on trust
Only ever get drivers from Windows Update or the hardware maker's official site. Windows Update is the most convenient trustworthy source. When it falls short, the manufacturer is next. There is no legitimate reason to use a third-party "driver updater" tool, which is covered in other guides here.