Windows · System
Install optional driver and feature updates
Lists optional updates not automatically installed, including driver updates from hardware manufacturers, feature previews, and monthly non-security quality updates you can choose to install manually.
How to open Optional Updates & Driver Updates
- Open Settings → Windows Update → Advanced options
- Click 'Optional updates'
- Expand Driver updates or Other updates categories
- Check the boxes for updates you want and click Download & install
What you should know
- View available driver updates from device manufacturers
- Install optional non-security quality updates ahead of the next mandatory rollout
- See optional feature updates you can opt into individually
- Select specific updates to install rather than all at once
Why it matters
Optional updates give access to newer drivers and minor fixes before they're bundled into the next mandatory update, which can resolve hardware compatibility issues, improve performance, or add small features ahead of schedule. Because these updates are optional rather than automatic, checking this page periodically is the only way to discover an updated driver for a printer, graphics card, or other peripheral that Windows Update won't install on its own. It's particularly useful for resolving specific hardware issues where a newer driver is known to fix a problem but hasn't yet reached general rollout.
Best practices
- Check this page after experiencing a hardware-specific issue, since a driver update here may resolve it
- Install optional quality updates only if you want early access to non-security fixes
- Review each optional update individually rather than installing everything automatically
- Uninstall an optional driver update via Device Manager if it introduces new problems
Common problems and fixes
- No optional updates are listed
- This is normal if there are currently no optional updates available for your specific hardware and software configuration.
- Installed driver causes new hardware issues
- Roll back the driver through Device Manager's driver properties, or wait for a subsequent fix.
- Optional update keeps reappearing after uninstalling
- Use 'Show or hide updates' troubleshooting tool to hide a specific update you don't want reinstalled.
Tips and tricks
- Check optional updates after installing a new peripheral if it isn't working perfectly out of the box
- Use Device Manager to roll back a specific driver if an optional update causes a regression
Frequently asked questions
Are optional updates safe to install?
Generally yes, though as with any update there's a small risk of introducing new issues, so install with awareness of what you're changing.
Will optional updates install automatically eventually?
Quality updates typically get bundled into the next mandatory cumulative update; driver updates usually remain optional unless critical.
How do I find manufacturer-specific driver updates?
Check this page first, and also consider the manufacturer's own driver support tool or website for the most complete driver options.
Related settings
- Windows UpdateWindows Update allows you to download and install the latest security patches, feature updates, and performance improvements. Keeping your system updated helps protect against vulnerabilities and ensures optimal performance.
- Update HistoryShows a chronological list of every update installed on this PC, including quality updates, feature updates, and driver updates, with the ability to uninstall problematic recent updates.
- Delivery OptimizationConfigures Delivery Optimization, which lets your PC download Windows Update and app files from other PCs on your network or the internet in addition to Microsoft's servers, and optionally share your own downloaded updates with others.
More System guides for Windows
- Power & SleepPower & Sleep settings let you control when your screen turns off and when your device goes to sleep while idle. Adjusting these settings can help balance battery life and performance.
- Default AppsDefault Apps settings let you choose which application opens specific file types and links by default, such as your browser, email client, photo viewer, or music player.
- Windows Insider ProgramLets you enroll this PC in the Windows Insider Program to receive pre-release Windows builds ahead of general availability, choosing a channel that matches your appetite for new features versus stability.
- Active HoursLets you define a time window during which Windows will avoid automatically restarting the PC to install updates, ensuring you're not interrupted during typical working or usage hours.
- Pause UpdatesLets you temporarily halt the download and installation of Windows updates for a set period, useful when you need a stable, unchanged system for a presentation, event, or compatibility testing.
- Windows Update Advanced OptionsCentralizes advanced Windows Update controls, including updating other Microsoft products alongside Windows, restart notifications, metered connection behavior, and download prioritization.