At what point do you disable automatic driver updates during Windows 10 installation?

[KublaiKhan]

Just re-installed Window 10, following an update that went south and wrecked the PC.

It's not connected to the Internet, yet.

Wondering at what point should I get into Device Installation Settings and disable the further updating of drivers. Should it be disabled before ever connecting to the 'net?

 

[rgd1101]

once you think your hardware is working. disabled it.
Then, do manual update when you want to update the one components you want to update

 

[geofelt]

And... set up system restore so you can take checkpoints and back out of any updates that cause you a problem in the future.

 

[KublaiKhan]

Right, create Restore points. But I'm reading that Windows 10 automatically deletes Restore points, trying to save disk space. Is that still going on? I know there were no Restore points available after this last update. I was amazed.

 

[geofelt]

Right, create Restore points. But I'm reading that Windows 10 automatically deletes Restore points, trying to save disk space. Is that still going on? I know there were no Restore points available after this last update. I was amazed.

It may delete automatic restore points once updates have proven successful.
You can configure how much drive space max to allow for restore points.
It really takes minimal space for each, all it is doing is creating a set of system catalog entries at the time it is taken.
Once you have set it up, create one yourself with descriptive text.
I would hope that windows 10 will not delete a file you yourself created.

 

[KublaiKhan]

I've read that it does.

My question really should have been added to an entire series of questions that come up when installing Windows 10:

1. When do you allow the machine to connect to the Internet?
2. When do you install the newest downloaded device drivers for the motherboard?
3. Or do you allow Windows 10 to install motherboard device drivers?
4. When do you install AntiSpyware Beacon to disable telemetry collection?
5. When do you disable the automatic updating of device drivers?
6. When do you start manually checking for updates?

There's probably more, but that's all that comes to mind right now.

I don't expect these questions to be answered here, as this was a more narrow thread. I wish I could find someone to walk me through an installation who is genuinely concerned with privacy and installing drivers properly.

 

[geofelt]

I am not a fan of windows 10. I had to get it for a new laptop, but for all else, I will stick with windows 7 until I see some compelling reason to switch.

1. As a practical matter, you will not be able to connect until your internet adapter drivers are installed anyway. Be it wifi or lan.
I think you might as well allow windows 10 to do whatever it needs to do during the install.
2/3. So long as they work, I would not bother downloading the newest device drivers for the motherboard.
4. AntiSpyware Beacon is something I need to research. In the meantime, during windows 10 setup, disable about 10 options impacting telemetry:
http://www.pcworld.com/article/2971725/windows/how-to-reclaim-your-privacy-in-windows-10-piece-by-piece.html
5. Once all is running well, that would be the time to take a user checkpoint and disable further driver updates.
6. The only drivers you likely want to update will be graphics drivers. For them, I do not update unless I have a problem. Then, I download the new driver directly form Nvidia(or amd)

Even with windows 7, I have turned off automatic update checking.
It takes some resources to do the daily check.
Every once in a while, I check for updates when I am at a point where I can recover from a problematic update.
Antivirus is constantly checked.

 

[rgd1101]

1)go online after you have everything setup. privacy settings etc
2)after step 1
3)only if you have to, I would just go to the manufacturer website
4)on step 1, download it on another pc, and install and run it before you go online
5)step 2 or 3
6)only if you have issue with something.

 

[KublaiKhan]

Then updates reset some of those telemetry choices. Windows 10 is rather "skeevie," from what I understand—basically a spyware platform.

 

[rgd1101]

yeah, run it once in a while.

 

[USAFRet]

Right, create Restore points. But I'm reading that Windows 10 automatically deletes Restore points, trying to save disk space. Is that still going on? I know there were no Restore points available after this last update. I was amazed.

For major Updates like the 1607 Anniversary release, yes. It wipes previous restore points.
In between major updates? No, it does NOT wipe restore points.