The change applies mostly to drivers that needed manual installation, which users now get via the Device Manager.
Yet another change in the driver update process
After deciding to separate non-security updates from essential system updates earlier this year, Microsoft will broaden the selection of hardware driver updates in the optional category.
Presently, upon connecting a peripheral (new keyboard, audio devices, webcams, microphones, etc.) for the first time to your device, its driver (optional driver) is automatically installed on your machine.
Starting November, this will happen only if the manufacturer has published a driver in the Windows updates, Microsoft says.
Automatic driver updates will automatically be installed on your machine either when you plug-in a peripheral device for the first time, or when a device manufacturer publishes a driver to Windows Update.
How will I install optional drivers?
- Open Settings.
- Go to Update&Security.
- In Windows Update, choose View optional updates.
In other words, the plug-and-play scenario won’t be affected if the driver is already included in the automatic updates Whereas driver updates marked as manual or optional will require the users’ permanent attention.
On the other hand, if a specific gadget won’t work upon connection, users will have to be aware that they have to go to the mentioned optional updates and find the appropriate driver, if available.
While this gives more freedom in terms of drivers updates that one installs, choosing to ignore them might lead to certain hardware being unusable.
The change won’t apply to IT admins in charge of enterprise networks.
How do you think the change will affect you? Send us your comments in the dedicated section below.
This post was written by Sinziana Mihalache and was first posted to WindowsReport
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