To install an optional driver update, just check it and then click “Download and Install” at the bottom of the list. You may also see duplicate versions of a driver with several different version numbers. This is the Unix epoch and appears to be a sign that Intel forgot to use a real date for the driver. For example, we saw an Intel driver update marked as released in 1970. Some drivers will have incorrect dates or no dates at all. For each, you will see the hardware manufacturer name, device type, date, and version number. You will see a list of available optional driver updates here.
This screen also offers other types of optional updates, including optional quality updates, also known as C and D updates. If you don’t see the Driver Updates section, no optional driver updates are available. You can also click “Check for Updates” to refresh the list of available updates.Įxpand the “Driver Updates” section here to view optional driver updates. If you don’t see it, no optional updates are available. (You can press Windows+i to open the Settings window.)Ĭlick the “View Optional Updates” link. To find and install optional driver updates on Windows 10, head to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update. If a hardware device isn’t working properly-for example, Wi-Fi cutting out, audio issues, or printing problems-you can sometimes install an optional driver update from Windows Update for that particular device to see if it fixes the problem. However, in some scenarios, you may experience a problem with a particular hardware device on your system.
(One exception is graphics drivers: If you’re a gamer, you want to regularly install graphics driver updates for improved gaming performance.) In most scenarios, the updates automatically installed by Windows Update will work well and you won’t need to bother installing other ones. The decision of whether an update will install automatically or manually is left up to the hardware device manufacturer when it uploads the driver to Windows Update.