Because new INF files (like the drivers the INFs replaced) can bring new *features* or expose them for use by the OS - same applies to utilities (such as the Intel Management Engine, which is actually part of the WMI architecture, but used by quite a few OS-native and third-party utilities - IME's biggest benefits are for SSDs; however, it requires either a 6xx or later chipset, even though you can use SSDs with any Intel chipset that supports SATA drives, even the moldie-oldie 865PE chipset).