Windows Update can install signed drivers, but the best source depends on the device: use Windows Update for stable, broadly tested updates, and the manufacturer for the newest or device-specific release. Choosing the wrong source can leave you with missing features, broken hardware, or avoidable bugs. This guide explains when Windows Update updates drivers, when to trust it, and when to install a driver from the device maker instead.
What you'll need
- Windows Update in Settings for built-in driver delivery and optional driver packages.
- Device Manager to update one hardware item at a time.
- OEM support page or vendor download page for model-specific drivers, especially on laptops and graphics cards.
- A restore point before changing drivers, if the device is already working and you want a rollback path.
- Admin access on the PC so Windows can install driver packages and restart services if needed.
Does Windows Update update drivers?
Yes. Windows Update can deliver some driver updates, including signed driver packages, and Windows 10 downloads and installs driver updates through Windows Update. It can also keep many devices working in the background without any manual download, but it does not replace every vendor package and it may offer a generic or older driver.
How driver updates appear in Windows Update
Driver packages may show up during a normal Check for updates scan or under Optional updates. In Windows 11, open Settings > Windows Update > Advanced options > Optional updates, then look under Driver updates. Install them with Download and install when you want Windows to handle the package.
A restart can be part of the install. If Windows asks for one, do it before checking the device again.
When Windows Update is enough
Windows Update is often a solid first choice for a Wi-Fi adapter that already connects, a printer that prints normally, or a Bluetooth device that only needs basic support. It gives you a signed package through Microsoft’s update flow, which is a safe default when you do not need a newer vendor release.
Suppose a laptop’s Bluetooth drops out after sleep and Windows Update offers a driver in Optional updates. That package may be the right first try because it is signed and distributed through Microsoft’s update flow.
Check Windows Update first
Start with the built-in update path. It is the quickest way to see whether Microsoft already has a driver for the device, and it avoids hunting through model pages when Windows already has a suitable package.
- Open Settings > Windows Update.
- Select Check for updates and wait for the scan to finish.
- Open Advanced options on Windows 11, then choose Optional updates.
- Expand Driver updates and install anything that matches the hardware you are fixing.
- Restart if Windows prompts you to do so.
In Windows 10, the same driver delivery happens through Windows Update, but the path to Optional updates may look different from Windows 11. The point is the same: Windows Update can deliver drivers, but it may not list every one.
Use Device Manager for one device
Device Manager is the better choice when a single piece of hardware needs attention and you want to change only that item instead of running a full update scan. Appuals notes that Device Manager can search automatically for updated driver software, and Wccftech notes that the Update Drivers wizard can also let you browse for driver software manually.
- Right-click Start and open Device Manager.
- Find the device, then right-click it and choose Update driver.
- Select Search automatically for drivers if you want Windows to look online and locally.
- Select Browse my computer for drivers if you already downloaded a package from the maker.
- Open the device’s Properties and check Device status after the install.
A common first-timer mistake is using Device Manager to force a newer-looking driver without checking whether the device was already stable. If the hardware works and the vendor has no fix for a real problem, leaving the existing driver alone is often the better call.
When should you use the manufacturer site?
Use the OEM website or the GPU vendor’s download page when Windows Update does not offer the driver you need, when the device has extra features that need vendor software, or when a laptop model needs a package tied to that exact model. OEM sites often require a model or serial-number lookup and may offer OS-specific drivers that Windows Update does not provide.
Graphics drivers are the most common case for manual vendor updates. Intel, AMD, and NVIDIA often publish newer packages for optimizations, bug fixes, and game support, and Intel also offers the Intel Driver and Support Assistant for some systems. On desktops and gaming PCs, that vendor path is often the right source for graphics.
Picture a gaming desktop with an NVIDIA card and a new game stutter issue. Windows Update may offer a safe baseline, but the GPU vendor may already have a newer fix. In that case, the vendor package is the better match.
Which driver source should you use?
This table gives the practical split. Windows Update is often enough for the stable, broadly tested path. Switch to the OEM or GPU vendor when the device needs a model-specific package, newer graphics support, or a feature that Windows did not supply.
| Device type | Best source | When Windows Update is enough | When to switch to OEM/GPU vendor |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wi-Fi/LAN | Windows Update first | The adapter works, but you want a signed, stable update | No connection, missing features, or the OEM lists a newer adapter package |
| Printer | Windows Update or OEM support page | Basic printing works and you only need a standard driver | You need duplex, scan tools, tray control, or model-specific utilities |
| Graphics card | GPU vendor | Only if you want a safe fallback and the card is already stable | For newer fixes, game support, bug patches, or vendor tuning tools |
| Laptop chipset | OEM support page | Windows has a working generic chipset driver | The laptop maker lists an OS-specific chipset package for that exact model |
| Bluetooth | Windows Update first | The radio pairs and stays connected | Pairing fails, audio drops, or the OEM offers a newer radio package |
Common mistakes
These are the errors that waste the most time.
- Skipping a restore point. TechRadar recommends creating one before updating drivers so you can roll back if the device stops working.
- Installing the wrong model or OS package. Laptop support pages often split drivers by exact model and Windows version.
- Replacing a stable driver without a reason. If the device is already reliable, a newer package may not help.
- Ignoring vendor tools for graphics. Graphics drivers are often better handled through the GPU maker than through Windows Update alone.
- Expecting Windows Update to find everything. It may miss a device, offer a generic package, or stop at an older driver.
Some third-party tools, including Snappy Driver Installer, claim they can install and update drivers for free, support Windows 2K through 11, and help when Windows Update may fail to configure hardware. That does not make them the first choice for every system, but it explains why some users turn to them after Microsoft’s own path comes up short.
Frequently asked questions
Do Windows updates also update drivers?
Yes. Windows Update can deliver driver packages alongside operating system updates, and it may place them in Optional updates instead of the main update list. For routine devices, Settings > Windows Update > Check for updates is the first place to look.
Do Windows updates automatically update drivers?
Often, yes. Windows 10 can take care of driver updates in the background, but that does not mean every device gets a fresh package right away. If a driver is missing or delayed, check Settings > Windows Update > Optional updates or the device maker’s site.
Do Windows updates update graphics drivers?
Sometimes, but graphics is the area where vendor packages matter most. Windows Update may offer a basic signed driver, while Intel, AMD, or NVIDIA may publish a newer release with fixes or support changes. For a graphics card, start with the GPU vendor unless stability is the only goal.
Does Windows Update include drivers?
Yes. It can include signed drivers for supported hardware, but it does not guarantee a match for every device. If Optional updates shows nothing useful, check the OEM support page and search by exact model or serial number.
Should I use Windows update or device Manager for drivers?
Use Windows Update first for a broad check, then Device Manager when one device needs a targeted update. In Device Manager, choose Update driver, then Search automatically for drivers or Browse my computer for drivers if you already downloaded one.
When should I install drivers from the manufacturer instead?
Use the manufacturer when Windows Update does not list the driver, when the device is a laptop component tied to a specific model, or when you need the newest graphics package. Open the OEM support page, enter the model or serial number, and choose the Windows version that matches the PC.