Driver frustration Again!!

Patsy1011 · Jan 25, 2024

Apparently Lenovo uses Intel Arc for display quality - I think. Don't know for sure. At any rate, IT keeps wanting to update its drivers.

I did download it twice thinking it would be ok since it is part of this system. First time fine. So did it again. Second time - screwed up one of my games. Went to Lenovo help forum and got it straightened out. My frustration is - I'm not sure but I think the recent bsod I got was because this driver was not updated. IDK for sure -- just pondering that,
Anyway, the Lenovo folks say DO NOT DOWNLOAD ANYTHING outside of their updates. No matter how urgent the update looks. Does anyone have an opinion on this.
Also, the driver updates. Does Win11 download those automatically or do I have to find them and download.
Thanks for thoughts.

allan · Jan 25, 2024

NEVER allow Windows to update drivers. Always obtain drivers from the OEM, and in the case of laptops ONLY from the laptop manufacturer.

Wisewiz · Jan 25, 2024

A majority of the active members here on elevenforum recommend getting drivers only from the device manufacturer. In fact, in order to prevent WU from installing drivers that are either out of date or otherwise unsuitable for our devices, many of us use Group Policy Editor to disable driver updates that come in as part of Windows updates. Should you choose to do this too, open gpedit.msc in Run, then go to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Update > Manage Updates Offered by Windows Update > Do not include drivers with Windows update, and set that to Enabled.

mecanicogolf · Jan 25, 2024

If you don't game, there should be no reason to use Snappy Driver. I find it gets everything for my old laptop. I know you are not suppose to use 3rd party updaters, but this one works for me.

allan · Jan 25, 2024

With respect to all in this thread, I cannot urge strongly enough against using any 3rd party driver utilities / updaters.

torchwood · Jan 25, 2024

Based on your screenshot in the opening post

Thats from Intel !!!! Intel driver & support Assistant program
(aka Queenscreek - via the Task it sets up when you downloaded it)

have exactly that of 1 minute ago

Remove it from your system

Anibor_11 · Jan 25, 2024

allan said:
NEVER allow Windows to update drivers. Always obtain drivers from the OEM, and in the case of laptops ONLY from the laptop manufacturer.

I don´t agree, my experience is different. I have found that the AMD graphics driver for a Lenovo AMD ThinkPad laptop must be installed from Windows Update or Device Manager, and not from Lenovo (either Vantage or the website).

The reason is that the Lenovo driver does not update the AMD Software, and after the update, opening this software produces an error ["Radeon software and driver versions do not match"). The update from Windows Update or Device Manager does update the AMD Software. Old problem, never solved by Lenovo. It happened to me again just yesterday.

allan · Jan 25, 2024

Anibor_11 said:
I don´t agree, my experience is different. I have found that the AMD graphics driver for a Lenovo AMD ThinkPad laptop must be installed from Windows Update or Device Manager, and not from Lenovo (either Vantage or the website).

The reason is that the Lenovo driver does not update the AMD Software, and after the update, opening this software produces an error ["Radeon software and driver versions do not match"). The update from Windows Update or Device Manager does update the AMD Software. Old problem, never solved by Lenovo. It happened to me again just yesterday.

Well, I suppose it is possible there are exceptions, and although I certainly accept your statement, I've never seen one personally (or run into one prior to this on any of the forums on which I participate). My opinion / urging remains - laptop drivers should be updated only from the website of the laptop manufacturer. If there IS an issue, then an exception can then be made.

Patsy1011 · Jan 25, 2024

"Remove it from your system" Remove what? That Intel program? - Don't I need it for some functon? As in which function? What does it do?

With regard to gaming, I do play at least one -

This whole driver thing is so strange to me. I never had these issues on win10. Never. I'm sure someone will take issue with that statement but I just never had a problem. My Dell died at age 4 - maybe those drivers did it!! Or lack thereof.

Thanks to all.

glasskuter · Jan 25, 2024

allan said:
With respect to all in this thread, I cannot urge strongly enough against using any 3rd party driver utilities / updaters.

Agreed! Stay away from those suckers, for sure.
You have to choose for yourself what is right for you and how you want to maintain your drivers. You're the one who knows how you use your system. For me and my choice, I totally disagree with @torchwood but I am NOT a gamer so what is right for me may not be for you. Personally, I use both my OEM tool that is equivalent to Lenovo's and Intel Driver Support Assist tool, both which I run manually. (They are not set to autostart with the OS so are not scanning my system all the time.). I have found Intel's drivers take some time to reach the OEM site so I get my mobo, network adapter, and graphics driver from Intel fairly soon after they are released. Mostly what I get from my OEM (Dell) are bios updates and other firmware updates.(I got a bios and TPM update just this week)

Stay away from WU updating drivers, too, as per @Wisewiz suggestion. Allowing WU to intervene has been known to send folks into a tailspin. The group policy method is best if you run Pro. The regedit method works for both Home and Pro

Enable or Disable Include Drivers with Windows Updates in Windows 11 Tutorial

This tutorial will show you how to enable or disable including drivers with Windows Updates in Windows 10 and Windows 11. Windows Update will include drivers when available in Windows 11 by default. You can enable the Do not include drivers with Windows Updates policy to not include drivers...

www.elevenforum.com

Hazel123 · Jan 25, 2024

The Intel installer will tell you when there are new drivers available for your system but you shouldn’t really use those when there is a manufacturer driver available. If you look in control panel there will be an Intel program called Intel driver and support solutions which you probably installed when asking Intel to scan the computer at some point. So just uninstall that and you won’t get pop ups telling you there are new driver’s.

I believe Lenovo has a driver update utility programs that should let you know if and when a new driver is available. Presumably that is installed - unless you did a clean install. Manufacturer drivers may have the same driver number but they sometimes tweak the driver to work with specific computers so the manufacturer driver is always best if doing any driver updates.

Hazel123 · Jan 25, 2024

Here you go - Lenovo System update - that will let you know if and when new drivers and bios are available and help install them if you accept them. Similar to the HP programme that does the same thing.

Lenovo System Update: Update Drivers, BIOS and Applications - Lenovo Support GB

support.lenovo.com

Ghot · Jan 25, 2024

@Patsy1011

Here, I'll say it without worrying if it sounds pretty.

DO NOT use 3rd party driver updaters, unless they are from the manufacturer of your prebuilt.
NEVER use 3rd party driver updaters on a system your built yourself.
ALWAYS block driver updates included with Windows Updates.
ALWAYS triple check any popups telling you to do this or that, concerning drivers. Then triple check it again.

Enable or Disable Include Drivers with Windows Updates in Windows 11

This tutorial will show you how to enable or disable including drivers with Windows Updates in Windows 10 and Windows 11. Windows Update will include drivers when available in Windows 11 by default. You can enable the Do not include drivers with Windows Updates policy to not include drivers...

www.elevenforum.com

NOT doing things this way, WILL come back to haunt you. Boo!

Patsy1011 · Jan 25, 2024

Wow !! Lots of solid answers. Hazel - I have stored the link in my Aid folder and will use it gladly!! Thank you.

Ghot · Jan 25, 2024

Patsy1011 said:
Wow !! Lots of solid answers. Hazel - I have stored the link in my Aid folder and will use it gladly!! Thank you.

Hazel123 · Jan 25, 2024

Patsy1011 said:
Wow !! Lots of solid answers. Hazel - I have stored the link in my Aid folder and will use it gladly!! Thank you.

Important that you uninstall any other driver update programs. If you’re getting pop ups then you’ve installed one or more but they should show up in the programs list in control panel and can be removed that way

Wisewiz · Jan 25, 2024

Patsy1011 said:
I have stored the link in my Aid folder and will use it gladly!! Thank you.

Note: The link will ask for your serial number, and will ask you to download and install Lenovo System Update. If you do so, it will add Lenovo System Update to your installed apps list and to your Control Panel, and you'll launch it from there.

Another option is just to log on to Lenovo and enter your serial number and search for available drivers. The site will show you what's offered for your particular computer, and offer to let you download and install those, without the additional software on your PC.

It's good to have choices.

Patsy1011 · Jan 25, 2024

Here is what I show in my installed programs.

So I should uninstall all of them? And I should uninstall before installing the Lenovo link as suggest by Hazel...thank you all again.

TM21 · Jan 25, 2024

I install Windows xx/Pro/xx often, probably at least once a week. It's my hobby!
And after an install, if everything is working, I shut off all external Updates. Then everything just keeps on working like it did on day one.
NO UPDATES Required!!!
I can only assume that I'm right, because I've been doing this for many years, with no regrets. And, literally, Hundreds of Windows installs.
Aftermarket driver updaters are as good as any virus. Avoid at all costs!

TM

Hazel123 · Jan 25, 2024

Just the highlighted one -Intel Driver and Support assistant. The others are for the system (I think - have something similar myself).

Driver frustration Again!!

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