Windows 10 clean install, windows updates, drivers

[thejudge0081]

I've seen a number of previous threads on this subject, but they don't quite give me the answer I need, so apologies for yet another thread on this topic...

I am about to do a clean install of Windows 10 on a Dell. Dell recommends an order for installing drivers, but I know that Windows update installs drivers right after the installation, unless I disable that option. I've read that the Windows updates are likely good enough, except for my AMD GPU. I've also read that installing a GPU driver on top of an existing one can be problematic. My question is basically what should be my order of operations. Here are the options that come to mind:

1 - install windows, let windows update do its thing, then update GPU driver only, disable windows updates
2 - install windows, let windows update do its thing, uninstall GPU driver, install new GPU driver, disable windows updates
3 - install windows, disable windows update, install all drivers from Dell manually in their recommended order (looks like bloatware comes first)

Note that this system has both Intel and AMD cards, and is set up to optimize the use of both of them.

Thanks in advance!

 

[USAFRet]

Windows installs drivers, just to get the thing up and running.
Installing the hardware specific ones after that should be no problem.

You don't have to install all the Dell bloatware.

 

[thejudge0081]

OK, thanks - I'll give it a go.

Back story - I've owned the thing for 2 months. It's at Dell for it's 3rd warranty repair since I've owned it. The first was a motherboard melt down. I did a clean install of Win10 after that, but the Ethernet connection didn't work on the new motherboard. Then another new motherboard was installed. I didn't have to reinstall the OS after the 2nd new motherboard was installed, but the AMD GPU was not functioning anymore. Dell called me for permission to wipe the hard drive because he was having trouble installing the driver for the new GPU, and he blamed it in part to a driver already installed on Windows 10. All of this has me skittish at this point.

 

[USAFRet]

I've never seen an issue where the default Windows video driver impacts the dedicated GPU driver.
And no ethernet? Did you install the driver for that, from the motherboard manufacturer?

Anyway...install it.
Then install your hardware drivers. You should be fine.

 

[thejudge0081]

To clarify about the bad Ethernet connection, it worked fine when plugged directly into the laptop. It did not work when plugged into the Dell dock. Long story short, the diagnosis was the motherboard. Being a Dell build, I was up to date on Dell drivers. Not sure who manufactured the board itself, but that connection was working fine on the other 2 boards I've had so far.

OK, the plan is install windows, run windows updates, install current AMD driver and leave the others alone. Should I then disable windows driver updates to prevent the AMD driver from being overwritten? Thanks again!

 

[USAFRet]

Yes, turn off the driver updates.