Windows Update is undergoing a significant transformation, particularly in how it manages legacy drivers. As part of this change, Microsoft will no longer present older legacy drivers when a newer replacement is available on its servers. This update is currently being rolled out to users, but it does not imply that Windows Update will cease replacing newer drivers that have been manually installed via the download portals of Intel, AMD, or Nvidia. Unfortunately, that remains unchanged.
According to a support document recently uncovered by Windows Latest, Microsoft describes this policy shift as a “periodic cleanup of drivers from Windows Update.” This initiative primarily targets OEMs, which include PC manufacturers and chipmakers. When inquired about the implications for the average user, Microsoft officials indicated that most individuals would likely not notice any changes unless they were particularly attentive to driver updates.
How Windows Update will now handle older drivers
With the new policy in place, when a driver reaches its expiration date and a newer version is available, users will no longer see the older driver listed in Windows Update. Microsoft explains that expiring a driver involves removing all its audience assignments in the Hardware Development Center, effectively preventing Windows Update from offering that driver to devices.
This cleanup effort is focused solely on legacy drivers. For the typical consumer, this means that the experience will remain largely unchanged.
- What is a legacy driver?
A legacy driver refers to an outdated driver for which a newer, fully compatible version exists for the same PC. The removal of these legacy drivers is part of a broader policy aimed at streamlining the update process.
However, there are plans for future expansions of this cleanup to include expired drivers that lack replacements. This could potentially lead to some drivers not being offered to any systems within the ecosystem. For now, the focus remains on legacy drivers with available updates. OEMs will have the ability to republish expired drivers, but they must provide justification for their reinstatement on Windows Update.
Previously, users might have encountered multiple drivers of varying dates for the same product when checking for updates. Post-policy shift, only the most recent driver will be presented, eliminating the confusion of seeing older versions. It is important to note, however, that the drivers provided through Windows Update may not always be as current as those available directly from OEMs.
No, it will not improve the Windows 11 driver mess
One might question why this new policy does not resolve the ongoing issue where manually installed drivers from OEM websites are replaced by older versions via Windows Update. The answer lies in the fact that a Windows Update driver may still carry a higher version number than the one provided by the manufacturer. Drivers distributed through Windows Update are prioritized over those from PC makers, given that they are certified by Microsoft for quality and security.
Additionally, the new policy will not adversely affect users operating Windows 11 on unsupported hardware. There are no grounds for the rumors suggesting that Microsoft is complicating access to drivers for unsupported PCs by expiring older versions. A driver is designated as “expired” only when a new replacement is available.