Starting in Windows 10 version 2004, Windows only searches the local computer.

In Windows 10, version 1909 and earlier, Windows installs the highest-ranking driver from Windows Update, regardless of whether it is classified as Automatic or Manual.In Device Manager, when a user selects Update driver: For info on how to access Manual drivers, see the Windows Update section of this page.

Starting in Windows 10, version 2004, Windows does not search for a Manual driver when an Automatic driver is not available. In Windows 10, version 1909 and earlier, if no Automatic driver is available for the device, Windows proceeds to the highest-ranking Manual driver. If there is no compatible driver on the computer, Windows searches Windows Update immediately for the highest-ranking Automatic driver. This can take up to 24 hours from when the device is plugged in. Then, during the next daily scan of Windows Update, Windows searches for a more up-to-date version of the driver. If one exists, Windows installs it on the device.

Plug and Play (PnP) looks for a compatible driver already available on the computer. When a device is connected to a Windows system: All Automatic drivers must first have been evaluated by Microsoft through Driver Flighting.įor more info about the Manual option, see Publish a driver to Windows Update. When the second checkbox is selected, the driver is downloaded and installed automatically on all applicable systems once it is released. Windows automatically preloads drivers in this category when upgrading the OS. When the first checkbox is selected, the driver is classified as a Dynamic Update (a term that applies to upgrade scenarios). Automatic is the default setting for all new shipping labels. Under the Automatic option there are two checkboxes: Automatically delivered during Windows Upgrades and Automatically delivered to all applicable systems. When submitting a driver to Windows Update, the Driver Delivery Options section presents two radio buttons: Automatic and Manual This article describes how you can control when Windows Update distributes your driver.

Windows driver updates