Do you require manual driver installation for optimal performance?
Do you require manual driver installation for optimal performance?
I think you've carried out precisely the correct action—it's exactly what I do.
The drivers provided by Windows are the genuine vendor-supplied ones, not the ones Microsoft developed. Manufacturers test new and updated drivers using the Windows Hardware Quality Labs (WHQL) set and once they obtain WHQL certification, they're added to Microsoft for inclusion in the upcoming Windows Update.
When hardware vendors submit their drivers to Microsoft, they label them as either 'automatic' or 'manual'. Automatic drivers are installed automatically via Windows Update; these are the ones the vendor knows work with any system using that hardware and must be installed to fix issues or close security gaps. Manual drivers aren't downloaded or installed—they appear in the Optional Updates section of Windows Update. These require user selection for installation, as they're vendor-specific and may not suit every user with that hardware. It's up to the user to check optional update drivers to confirm compatibility before installing them.
If Windows installs the incorrect driver, it's usually because the hardware vendor made a mistake—either by uploading the wrong driver or marking a driver as 'automatic' when it doesn't apply universally. In such cases, Windows Update simply follows the vendor's instructions.
We suggest manually installing graphics drivers because they often change frequently, sometimes more than once a month, so the driver from Windows Update might not always be the most recent one for your card.
The only situations I manually install other drivers are during the first Windows installation when Device Manager shows devices without drivers (a yellow triangle with a black exclamation mark) or if I encounter issues with a device. In those cases, I'd first check Windows Update Optional Updates for suitable options or consult the motherboard or vendor's website for updated drivers.
The only advice you should follow is never to rely on third-party driver search and installation tools (like DriverEasy) to install drivers. You have no certainty about whether these tools pick the right driver or where the driver originated from.
Good, thank you. You've shared some new information about drivers. I'll continue using what Windows Update offers unless I encounter any difficulties, although I haven't faced any issues so far.