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Will there be an option (assuming there isn't) to force endpoint to update the manufacturer drivers during or post OS install? Either by getting the drivers directly from the Dell website or by allowing us, on the admin side, to manually update those drivers.
Hardware vendors are supposed to now publish their drivers through Windows Update, using https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-hardware/drivers/dashboard/. Though OEMs are allowed to inject drivers into their image, it is preferred that boot-start devices can use a generic Windows driver, that is later replaced through Windows Update. Drivers for new device are installed by Plug and Play, from Windows Update. If the driver has a user interface, it will automatically be installed and maintained by the Microsoft Store. As the vendor releases updates to their drivers, they are QA flighted through Parter Center and installed through Windows Update.
We have had fair success with Dell drivers. After a couple incidents, we have received a promise from support that we can hold them accountable if we find any new devices without drivers published in this way.
Where on the other hand, Lenovo refuses to publish their drivers through Windows Update and requires us to use their own update mechanisms.
Though my company is fine with drivers updating whenever hardware vendors make them available, some time ago, the Intune team announced they will have a mechanism for controlling when device drivers are made available. Haven't seen it yet.
Here are two links to bookmark for finding devices with drivers published in the modern way before purchasing them. Wish there was a more reliable way to make this determination. Maybe the community should create a list of PCs (and devices) that really are "Autopilot ready".
- https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-hardware/drivers/dashboard/windows-certified-products-list
- https://www.catalog.update.microsoft.com/Home.aspx
We're relying on Windows Updates for Business (incl. drivers) for approx three years now
70% Lenovo, 30% Dell machines across the globe.
Vendor tools like Lenovo ThinkVantage and Dell Command Update aren't allowed due to its often vulnerabilities and they become removed if found.
Contribution
- Lenovo is contributing to WUfB, even BIOS and Firmware updates
We haven't bricked any device yet ... and we have up-to-date BIOS across Lenovo devices - Dell isn't contributing
Drivers
Lenovo and Dell devices are receiving the OEM drivers like Intel, Realtek, ELAN, Synaptics, NVidia via WUfB quite nicely. We neither need the vendor update tools nor their driver packages
NVidia surprised us twice in the past, they offered a driver through WU which caused black screen on some Dell CAD machines and rollback to an older driver was needed.
For NVidia scenario I'm desperately waiting for the public preview of the driver management via Intune portal (right now there is only the Microsoft Graph implementation)
Deployment service for driver updates public preview coming soon - Microsoft Tech Community
- Olaf, would you mind sharing more details about the specific models being deployed? I have started a shared spreadsheet for the community to share their experiences with "Autopilot Ready" PCs, Peripherals and Software. Maybe this will help admins find the rare gems and push our industry to get with the times. https://1drv.ms/x/s!AgG_boPR-xfWjN9i2Z_y_8ErM6t--A #AutopilotReady
- Lenovo is contributing to WUfB, even BIOS and Firmware updates
- HP has a tool that does this if I remember correctly. It uses proactive remediation. I haven't seen a solution yet from within Intune itself.
- Hi Rachelle, I'm not sure this was fully answered. Danny Guillory Jr said he assumed it would... it would be good to get this clarified please.
- Rachelle_Blanchard
Microsoft
Admin response: This question was answered live. Please refer to the recording for more details.
