At what point should I install the drivers included on the CD?

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kingneptune117

kingneptune117

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I've never been able to figure this out. My motherboard is an MSI Z97 Gaming 5, LGA 1150. This is over a year old, so of course the drivers that came on the included disk are not the most up to date. Also, when I say drivers, I mean the LAN drivers, chipset drivers, intel management engine, sound drivers, etc.

So, when doing a fresh install of windows, what should I do? Should I right away install the drivers from the disc even though they are out dated? Should I download the most up to date ones ahead of time and use those instead? Or, should I just install the LAN drivers only, and would windows update take care of the rest?

Just curious how you all handle motherboard drivers on a fresh install.

Thank you.
 
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InvalidError

InvalidError

Titan
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I install the LAN drivers if Windows doesn't have adequate ones built-in, then let Windows Update do its thing, then I update whatever Windows Update didn't update using the latest drivers from each manufacturer. Installing drivers before Windows itself is updated sometimes causes weird issues.
 
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kingneptune117

kingneptune117

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How do I tell if Windows installed things like the chipset drivers, Intel Management Engine Interface, or the Rapid Storage Technology driver? The issue is I don't know how to go about checking these.

Would it hurt to do as you say, and then after all the windows updates, install the latest and greatest drivers from the manufacturers website? If Windows did already install them, or a version of them, will installing the ones from the website automatically over write whatever Windows installed? I am worried that if I try to install a driver (say, a chipset driver) that already has a version installed, it will "double install" it and mess things up. When people try and install updated chipset drivers, or management engine interface drivers, do they have to uninstall the old ones first, or can you just go through the install and will it automatically overwrite the existing one? Thanks.
 
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InvalidError

InvalidError

Titan
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WHQL drivers periodically end up on Windows Update without the extra software like control centers for GPUs and sound cards/chips. You only need to worry about manually updating drivers if you want to have the latest version without waiting a few extra months for it to trickle to Windows Update or want the hardware vendor's extra fluff.

Most companies' driver installers will remove existing drivers at some point during the installation process.
 
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kingneptune117

kingneptune117

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Thanks for the response.

Once I install Windows and run all Windows updates, how will I know if all of the necessary drivers are installed? Would it hurt to just go ahead and run all of the manufacturer downloaded drivers after the Windows updates just to make sure everything is installed?
 
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