Whenever Windows updates come out, certain driver dates and versions change for certain devices. It makes sense to me when both driver versions and driver dates change, but it doesn't make sense to me when the driver dates stay exactly the same, but their versions change! See below for examples, please. Before updates: USB Root Hub Driver. Version - 6.3.9600.16384, Date - 6/21/2006 After updates: USB Root Hub Driver. Version - 6.3.9600.17238, Date - 6/21/2006 Are the drivers above different or are they exactly the same??? My guess is that the MS driver version isn't actually a driver version, but Windows build version. However, different drivers have different Windows build versions - how is that possible!? Are drivers actually updated when Windows build versions for those drivers are newer??? Does that apply even when driver dates stay the same??? I can't decide which drivers to use for the following device: Intel(R) 82801 PCI Bridge - 244EE (PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_244E&SUBSYS_84CA1043&REV_C4) I have 2 choices: #1. Provider - Intel, Date - 11/7/2008, Version - 7.0.1.1011 #2. Provider - Microsoft, Date - 6/21/2006, Version - 6.3.9600.17238 Choice #1 has newer date and newer version, although I doubt Intel drivers use Windows build versions for their drivers, so whether that version is technically newer is disputable. Only the date is newer or better-said - SUPPOSEDLY newer... Choice #2 has older date, but build 17238 came out 6 months ago, which is a lot newer than 11/7/2008! So if the driver was updated when build 17238 came out, then choice #2 would provide the newest driver, but again, I am not sure if newer build date = new driver... This is a mind-*bleep* for me. I bet that either version of the driver will work OK for me, but I am curious about understanding driver versions, dates, and figuring out which drivers are older and which drivers are newer! Any feedback would be appreciated - thank you! P.S. Love these forums .
I always get my chipset driver updates directly from Intel, and not MS. Intel will always have the latest. The only thing I let MS update is the OS, and Office, that's it.
MS drivers provide WHQL certification, a lot of times the drivers are sent to MS, and by the time MS certifies them, the OEM has a new set to fix yet something else. So the new set may "appear" older because the older set that was sent to MS was finally given the stamp of approval. Personally, when it comes to drivers. I don't go by dates or version number. I get a set and if I have no issues, I stay with it. If for some reason a new set that specifies a "performance enhancement" or "performance increase", security fixes etc, I will try them. But in general, if the drivers are working and the hardware is performing properly, leave it alone. That "if it ain't broke don't fix it" comes in to play.
I would say yes, but then I'm biased because in the past many of the drivers from Windows Update were crippled. ie, video drivers with no hardware acceleration. I doubt the example above is the case these days though, as, for example, WU seems to have full packages for AMD & Nvdia these days...