Win 10 driver updates will wreck me! Help

[thatsright]

Perhaps a bit melodramatic, but I'm a bit worried about moving to Win 10 from 7. I am a heavy Photoshop user and the most important thing is a properly calibrated monitor and printer, which relies on the video card. Anytime my video card drivers change, I have to calibrate the whole system all over again! It's excruciatingly un-fun. I have read a few articles on blocking drivers, but still have some questions if you can help me out:

1. How can I block any/all drivers from being installed on Win 10 Home edition? Getting automatic security updates is fine.

2. If I block driver updates from Windows Updates, can I install the Nvidia GeForce drivers after this, or will Windows only use Nvidia drivers that only come from Windows Update?

3. How can I block Win 10 from trying to reinstall drivers obtained from Windows Updates if they failed originally?

 

[nenforcer]

1. You can't block updates on Windows 10 AFAIK - you can only delay them. However, you can then later decide to remove them if they do conflicts (see screenshot).

2. Yes, if for instance you uninstall your NVidia driver and then reboot - Windows 10 will install a default NVidia drive if available for your graphics card. You could then download the newest driver and install over this.

3. The Driver updates are knowledgable that if you have a new installed driver they won't attempt to install an older version over it.

 

[sttubs]

Win 10 Pro has an option to view the drivers before installing them.

 

[Ketchup]

You certainly CAN stop Windows from doing driver updates. Now, that doesn't mean the driver won't update with the OS upgrade, but you can block driver updates after that. What I would recommend is that after you install 10, get the latest driver off the manufacturer's site (since the OS upgrade pushed a newer driver anyway).

To block driver updates, go to System/Advanced System Settings/the Hardware tab/Device Installation Settings. Select the No option. MS actually changed the description a bit in the latest build, but it's the same thing (it used to specifically mention "drivers," now it just calls them "apps.")

 

[thatsright]

You certainly CAN stop Windows from doing driver updates. Now, that doesn't mean the driver won't update with the OS upgrade, but you can block driver updates after that. What I would recommend is that after you install 10, get the latest driver off the manufacturer's site (since the OS upgrade pushed a newer driver anyway).

To block driver updates, go to System/Advanced System Settings/the Hardware tab/Device Installation Settings. Select the No option. MS actually changed the description a bit in the latest build, but it's the same thing (it used to specifically mention "drivers," now it just calls them "apps.")

That's what I thought. BTW, this is a clean install of 10, so no yucky upgrade with clutter coming over. New question:
After OS is installed, assuming it will use the stock NVidia video card driver. Can I uninstall it before installing the NVidia GeForce drivers?

 

[SparkyJJO]

Windows 10 does not force driver updates on you. Don't worry. I haven't updated my drivers (or had them updated for me) for a few months now. Every time I reboot my video card tells me there is something new but you know what, it isn't worth the hassle every single time an update comes out if everything is working (and sometimes the latest driver is a bit buggy, just look at nVidia's most recent for an example).

The stock driver with Windows for your card is just the basic driver files like 8, 7, etc before it. Just install the proper nvidia driver and it will replace it automatically. I would suggest NOT using the most recent driver as I mentioned though due to issues with it unless they've managed to patch it already.

 

[thatsright]

Windows 10 does not force driver updates on you. Don't worry. I haven't updated my drivers (or had them updated for me) for a few months now. Every time I reboot my video card tells me there is something new but you know what, it isn't worth the hassle every single time an update comes out if everything is working (and sometimes the latest driver is a bit buggy, just look at nVidia's most recent for an example).

The stock driver with Windows for your card is just the basic driver files like 8, 7, etc before it. Just install the proper nvidia driver and it will replace it automatically. I would suggest NOT using the most recent driver as I mentioned though due to issues with it unless they've managed to patch it already.

Thanks everyone. Final question: If you did a clean install on the same hardware you had on Win 7, what has the performance difference been, if any? I don't game at all or overclock, but my right will be built for the purposes of Photoshop usage. But was just curious on your overall impression. Is it worth the effort (and $$) to say goodbye to 7?

 

[SparkyJJO]

I didn't clean install, I in-place upgraded.

Performance is at least as good on 10 as it was on 7, at least I have not seen any slowdowns at all. There should be no extra cost going to 10 though, if you already have 7 you can still upgrade it for free until July this year. If you want a clean install just start fresh with Windows 10, but when it asks for a product key put in your 7 key and it will take it just fine.

 

[nenforcer]

Yeah you might want to do the Windows 10 install just to try it out and use it for the next 30, 60, 90 days - before July 29, 2016. Then you can decide if you want to keep it or revert back to Windows 7.

 

[RampantAndroid]

1. You can't block updates on Windows 10 AFAIK - you can only delay them. However, you can then later decide to remove them if they do conflicts (see screenshot).

2. Yes, if for instance you uninstall your NVidia driver and then reboot - Windows 10 will install a default NVidia drive if available for your graphics card. You could then download the newest driver and install over this.

3. The Driver updates are knowledgable that if you have a new installed driver they won't attempt to install an older version over it.

Actually, you CAN block updates:
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3073930