Question Deciding which drivers to use in Windows 10 21H2 ?

[danger007]

I have an Asus z270 Tuf Mark 1. I installed windows 10 on it and forgot not to allow Windows to install its drivers. That isn't a concern due to how I need to get rid of them. The problem I am having is figuring out just whose drivers to use.

1) Intel, Asus, Microsoft, Realtek, Asmedia and so on. - As mentioned Microsoft installed its own drivers for my system (my mistake). However once I get rid of them to install the actual company or mobo maker drivers, I still can't decide on whose drivers to use.

Intel for the chipset, MEI, IRST, Graphics - Asus has drivers but like any product, the company might release two set of drivers and then abandon the product more or less. Intel has the most current drivers. So do I use Intel Drivers instead of the much older Asus - I know this is an old topic that has been asked for ages, some would say Intel some say Asus but that was before Windows 10.

Other problem is that some of intel drivers are using the DCH drivers instead of the standard drivers that are made for any version of Windows from Windows 7 on (want to say WDDM but could be wrong).

Then of course the same issues for the rest of the drivers, use Asus or use more updated by as much as 2-3 years drivers from the part makers.

2) Can you have both DCH and regular drivers installed at the same time, like the intel chipset, graphics, MEI, IRST while ASMedia uses normal drivers, Nvidia uses regular drivers, you logitech gaming keyboard and mouse? Or will the mix cause crashes (not what I want.)

 

[SkyNetRising]

Why are you so concerned about drivers? Do you have any issues? What exactly?

Install drivers provided by motherboard manufacturer and forget about them.

 

[danger007]

I am one of those who want the most current valid drivers for your system. Yes there is just as many problems with older drivers as their are with the most current.

However when you use some software and you have issues you are asked to have up to date drivers. Even Intel said my graphic card drivers were outdated. However they offered me version 27 while Asus only offers 24.

So since my motherboard is behind the times (used with 6700K and Intel is on what Z6XX chipset and 12000 CPU). Also helps to keep system up to date. I have on laptops kept the drivers from Alienware except the graphic card adapter (which I had to mod the inf file so more current drivers to install) This is my desktop I am configuring. I have almost always been out in front with the tech compared with the Windows OS. First time a Windows OS identified all parts.

The DCH is whether they can mix with non-dch drivers or is it all dch or older standard for drivers not both.

 

[SkyNetRising]

I am one of those who want the most current valid drivers for your system.

Is this some OCD thing?
Anyway - you're worrying about issues, where none exist.

And you don't always want the newest drivers. Sometimes newest drivers may break some compatibility with older hardware.

 

[danger007]

The problem is that Intel has drivers that fix issues in their releases, Asus drivers they stopped updating a long time ago. Not OCD, just experienced what can happen if you ignore your drivers when setting up your computer.

However since I prefer to have somewhat more updated drivers than what Asus has can I use those drivers from Intel for example.

Also the issue of any issues of using or not using DCH drivers and regular Window drivers at same time just different hardware.

 

[SkyNetRising]

What issues exactly are you experiencing?

If updated drivers version fixes some issue, you have never experienced, then what difference does it make?
It's not relevant for you.

 

[Deleted member 14196]

Yeah. Agreed. Much bothering aboit nothing. And you can’t stop windows from installing the drivers that Microsoft wants to install when you install windows anyway. They are not windows drivers they are drivers from the manufacturers that make your hardware in Microsoft has deemed them worthy to be installed. If and only if you have problems you can seek out new drivers to fix them but worrying about them in advance is absolutely ridiculous and it is OCD

It’s like having surgery when you don’t need it so that you won’t need it in the future. It doesn’t make sense

 

[danger007]

I didn't know this was OCD. As mentioned first time motherboard parts (except maybe 2 it mis-identified ) were seen correctly by Windows, that is mostly why I wanted to know use asus, intel or windows update (as the word has always been do not use microsoft drivers, period).

 

[Deleted member 14196]

They are not Microsoft drivers they are the drivers from those companies and Microsoft just includes them. They are not Microsoft drivers they are from the manufacturers

Most people install windows and then install the drivers for their GPU and their chipset

 

[John Chesterfield]

I didn't know this was OCD. As mentioned first time motherboard parts (except maybe 2 it mis-identified ) were seen correctly by Windows, that is mostly why I wanted to know use asus, intel or windows update (as the word has always been do not use microsoft drivers, period).

You can relax a little regarding this. Unless there is a security update in a driver, general rule of thumb among those knowledgeable on IT stuff is if everything is working as intended, to leave things as is. Same goes for BIOS updates and for the most part graphics driver updates, which I generally only tend to do when a new game requires it.

In IT, if it ain't broken or vulnerable, don't fix it. It's a futile exercise and gains nothing.

 

[danger007]

I just remembered the old adage never to accept windows drivers from windows update. So that is one reason I am surprised people aren't cursing windows drivers from windows update. So I guess in Windows 10, drivers obtained from Microsoft Update are now reliable?

 

[Lafong]

I just remembered the old adage never to accept windows drivers from windows update. So that is one reason I am surprised people aren't cursing windows drivers from windows update. So I guess in Windows 10, drivers obtained from Microsoft Update are now reliable?

I can't recall that as being adage-worthy. Someone's opinion at best.

Use the drivers that give you the most comfort and least worry to the extent that those factors are more important to you than functionality or performance.