Ahead-looking: Microsoft has historically maintained sturdy backward compatibility with older {hardware} and software program. Nonetheless, the corporate is now working to section out as many legacy drivers as doable in an effort to streamline the Home windows Replace course of and scale back its total complexity.
In line with a latest submit addressing companions within the Home windows {Hardware} Program, Microsoft is working to take away legacy drivers from the Home windows Replace system. The corporate says the aim is to scale back safety and compatibility dangers, which is why it’s now embarking on this “strategic” initiative – although it’ll make backward compatibility throughout the Home windows ecosystem considerably worse than earlier than.
Within the not-so-distant future, Microsoft goals to supply solely probably the most up-to-date, optimum set of peripheral drivers by way of Home windows Replace. To realize this aim, the corporate will periodically carry out cleanup duties in its driver catalog. In consequence, some drivers will not be supplied to programs that depend on Home windows Replace.
Microsoft explains that the primary legacy drivers to be eliminated shall be those who have already got newer replacements obtainable by way of Home windows Replace. “Cleansing up” signifies that a selected set of peripheral drivers will expire, and Home windows Replace will not set up them on appropriate gadgets. {Hardware} producers may have the chance to request that Microsoft reinstate expired drivers, though they might be requested to supply justification.
Microsoft is reportedly conscious of the foremost shift coming with the removing of outdated driver help from Home windows Replace, so it plans to roll out the modifications in levels. After the preliminary cleanup, the corporate will publish a weblog submit confirming that the primary batch of out of date drivers has been eliminated. Following that, producers may have a six-month window to request reinstatement of any driver downloads.
In line with Microsoft, driver removing is a proactive measure aimed toward bettering safety and making certain higher-quality drivers for Home windows customers. The corporate is advising producers to overview their present drivers within the Home windows {Hardware} Program, as Redmond intends to make driver cleanup a routine optimization observe.
Whereas Microsoft is working to make Home windows Replace a leaner and extra dependable service for delivering patches and different content material, it might face strain to reverse course, simply because it did with WSUS driver synchronization up to now. There isn’t any doubt Home windows Replace would profit from important optimization, given how typically it causes complications for thousands and thousands of customers.
Nonetheless, Microsoft stays assured in Home windows Replace’s potential to reinforce the general Home windows expertise by managing numerous software program downloads extra successfully.
