Windows 10 OS Users Reporting Inappropriate Driver Updates Arriving Through Optional Updates?
Quite a few Windows 10 OS users have complained on social media platforms and Reddit about receiving inappropriate drivers to some machines. The majority of the users claim Microsoft is pushing inappropriate driver updates to Windows 10 devices which aren’t registered for the Insider program.
— DIRLAND (@Dir_land) September 26, 2020 In some cases, Windows Update has shown old drivers, including drivers with a release date of 1968. It seems Microsoft is intentionally backdating drivers to avoid the installation of Windows-provided drivers when users have a custom manufacturer-provided driver. In other words, Microsoft appears to be aware of custom drivers and has deliberately stamped a much older date on some drivers to ensure the Windows 10 PC doesn’t overwrite the custom drivers with these new ones.
Which Windows Optional Driver Update Should The OS Users Avoid?
According to Windows 10 OS users on May 2020, 20H1, or v2004, the update to avoid is ‘Intel – System’ or other inappropriate drivers displayed under the “Optional Updates” section in the Windows Update page. Users are cautioned not to hit download or install on the update. Some experts advise not installing any Optional Updates that Microsoft suggests. Incidentally, if users have accidentally installed the inappropriate driver then their device driver has been downgraded. Users will need to download the latest and most compatible version from the manufacturer’s website.
— Alain Picard Web Engineering & Cyber Security (@APicard27) September 28, 2020 If users have installed the problem driver, then it is recommended to uninstall the same. Ignoring the same can cause system instability. Moreover, in case if users have installed a custom driver earlier and accidentally installed the new one, then they are recommended to uninstall the new one and reinstall their old driver which worked. Since the outdated driver is being sent through the Optional Updates screen in Windows Update, the problem isn’t widespread. Additionally, it is quite likely that Microsoft has already begun pulling the driver from deployment.
