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Improving the update discoverability experience

Alec_Oot's avatar
Alec_Oot
Icon for Microsoft rankMicrosoft
Aug 12, 2020

Based on your feedback, it is now easier for you to discover available Windows 10 feature updates, monthly non-security quality updates, and driver updates.

Beginning with the August 2020 security update for Windows 10, when optional updates are detected by your device, they will be displayed on a new page under Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update > View optional updates. That means you no longer need to utilize Device Manager to search for updated drivers for specific devices.

How to view optional updates in Windows 10

How optional driver updates will appear in Windows 10, beginning with the August 2020 update

Windows Update will, of course, continue to automatically keep your drivers updated, but installing optional drivers may help if you are experiencing an issue.

We look forward to your feedback on this enhancement to the update experience, and to bringing you continued improvements that improve your experience with Windows 10 overall.

 

Published Aug 12, 2020
Version 1.0
servicing and updates

14 Comments

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  • Daniel Sidler's avatar
    Daniel Sidler
    Copper Contributor
    Aug 13, 2020

    vsterkin There are other instances of the blue hyperlink. For example on the very same page, when you have installed any update that requires restart. Right to the grey 'Restart now' button, there is 'Schedule the restart' as a blue hyperlink that takes you to another page within Settings. There are tons of such hyperlinks in Settings btw. 

    Edit: typos

  • theKaedin's avatar
    theKaedin
    Copper Contributor
    Aug 13, 2020

    To enable easier installation of Optional updates, I've created a following suggestion proposing an addition of 'Select all' type of checkbox for each expandable update category. If you like it, please upvote! :smile:

    https://aka.ms/AA99g7b

  • vsterkin's avatar
    vsterkin
    Iron Contributor
    Aug 13, 2020

    Alec_Oot 

    Can you clarify the UI rationale behind this blue hyperlink?

     

    • Is this opening a web page? Nope. 
    • Did our feedback ask for introducing more inconsistency to the UI on this page? Nope.
    • Can you find other blue hyperlinks in Settings? I challenge you.
    • Why isn't it the same UI element as the others below it (Pause, Change, etc)? ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

    rpodric what's you problem exactly except for the changed UX? There's a logic behind this change, and no loss of overall functionality. Device manager checked Windows Update, which was redundant in older Windows OSs that had optional updates in WU.  Windows Update page checks Windows Update. If there's a new driver, it will be available on the Windows Update page. 

  • rpodric's avatar
    rpodric
    Bronze Contributor
    Aug 13, 2020

    Is this the justification for the very unfortunate and inexplicable removal (as of 20H1) of Device Manager's ability to check the Internet for an updated driver for a given device? It now only can update with a local driver.