Windows automatic updates and "hardware updates"

[Simmy]

Hi all,

Quick question. When windows automatically downloads and installs updates, does it download hardware updates aswell?

Cheers.

 

[binaryknight]

yes but your better off getting the proper manufacturer produced ones as the ones from windows update will not offer the full functionality / speed / options of the proper item specific driver

 

[t31os]

Its never done hardware updates for me automatically, its always been optional via visiting the update website, but never on auto update. I'm talking XP here.

 

[Simmy]

Its never done hardware updates for me automatically, its always been optional via visiting the update website, but never on auto update. I'm talking XP here.

You see that's what I thought. However a customer has repeatedly downloaded some TNT2 graphics card drivers from windows updates, which always messes up the display. I've noticed it has this problem on virtually any machine with a Riva TNT2 display adapter.

I tell him not to do it, but he insists it installed automatically. Now considering windows updates itself on a daily basis, it's strange it only happens once every few weeks

 

[HangTime]

You see that's what I thought. However a customer has repeatedly downloaded some TNT2 graphics card drivers from windows updates, which always messes up the display. I've noticed it has this problem on virtually any machine with a Riva TNT2 display adapter.

I tell him not to do it, but he insists it installed automatically. Now considering windows updates itself on a daily basis, it's strange it only happens once every few weeks

You can 'block' certain updates from being installed. Go into the custom windows update, there's a tickbox or something you can use to say you never want to be prompted for a specific update.

Are you sure windows is updating daily? Maybe the customer has set it to update fortnightly?

As an aside it might be worth downloading the latest TNT2 driver direct from Nvidia and installing that. Then hopefully Windows won't think it has a later driver available.

 

[t31os]

You can 'block' certain updates from being installed. Go into the custom windows update, there's a tickbox or something you can use to say you never want to be prompted for a specific update.

That only works if you tell windows update to display the prompt when an update is available, which is how i have it...... though it still likes to offer the Malicious Software Removal Tool to me although i've told it not to 4 times already.

 

[|Ric|]

That only works if you tell windows update to display the prompt when an update is available, which is how i have it...... though it still likes to offer the Malicious Software Removal Tool to me although i've told it not to 4 times already.

No if you go to the actual webpage as if you are doing it manually, you can tell it not to remind you about a certain update.
And as far as I knew it only downloaded critical updates automatically.

 

[|Ric|]

Also to do with the malicious software removal thingy, you sure it's not just because it is a new month?
Every month they realise it, it has a different name (i.e. March, April, etc.) So you only ever reject the March version, then get bugged when Aprils comes out.

 

[t31os]

You could well be right, i still dont want that damn tool though.... i do just fine monitoring software on the PC myself.

 

[PinkPig]

You could well be right, i still dont want that damn tool though.... i do just fine monitoring software on the PC myself.

There's no reason not to run it though - it's not something that installs or has any potential to slow anything down, it just runs once.

 

[IAmATeaf]

I've stopped installing hardware based updates a few years ago after they screwed my PC up, after the updates non of CD/DVD drives and soundcard were displayed. Thank God for System Restore.

 

[millsy888]

i have never installed hardware updates from MS, and i've never had them download and install themselves from automatic update either.