How do I know what the version of the nVidia drivers offered to me through Windows Update? I'm currently running a beta Windows 7 driver I got directly off of nVidia, 185.n flavor. I would 'assume' that when Windows Update offers me something, it's more up-to-date than what I have, but I'm a bit reluctant to let that install. Would I be better off using the Windows Update optional driver download presence serve as merely an indicator that there might be a newer driver out on nVidia, and go there for it?

This is something that bugs me with windows update as well. Whenever it offers a driver, it should specify the driver version and date of release from manufacturer. Your Nvidia driver scenario is a good example. How is a casual user to know what the version is without having to install it first and only THEN drill down into device manager to find this info? I've experienced once that when I have a newer driver already installed (nvidia),but, Windows update tells me to download another driver, only to find out that windows installed an older version.

I'm having the same experience as you; a nvidia driver was offered through windows update, but I don't know anything about that driver, e.g. a link to a document explaining what has changed or resolved in that particular driver etc. I tried the following: Windows Update > View Update History Right click the nvidia driver and select "View details" Click on the link under "More information" ... but to no avail

I use the Windows Update Version of the notebook driver, DevMan says:NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GSdriver by NVIDIADate: 06.03.2009Version: 7.15.11.7967I hope this can help you in any way

I have a quadro 570 and went to Nvidia site and the driver I got was a windows 7 driver, seems to work just fine along with the cuda which is also windows 7.

I second your question. I want to know what is offered to me. The lastest nVidia 185.85 driver is really bad, I don't know how it have passed WHQL tests, so if Windows Update offers me to install it I want to know this and refuse the installation.

I encounter a similiar problem, when I download an update, my gameswill not display properly. I will have to unistall the driver and restart. The driver will automatically install the driver. The only problem is when my driver crashes it reports that it is the 181 driver, which is ancient. When I tried to download and install the 185 driver, Windows says that I do not have the correct hardware!Any suggestion?

Given the many reported compatibility issues across video drivers, and nVidia drivers in particular, in Windows 7, I'd absolutely recommending sticking with a particular driver when it works, at least at this stage. I have an ATi card myself, and it's true that Windows Update isn't always in synch with the newest beta Windows 7 drivers offered by ATi. R0gueHunt, what sort of card do you have?-Alex

I second your question. I want to know what is offered to me. The lastest nVidia 185.85 driver is really bad, I don't know how it have passed WHQL tests, so if Windows Update offers me to install it I want to know this and refuse the installation. AirSpirit - I dunno... I've got the 185.85 driver installed on my GeForce 7300 GS card - and it's yet to act up or cause any problems. It's fairly smooth on all tasks I've thrown at it so far. Maybe they're not testing it on all potential hardware?

How do I know what the version of the nVidia drivers offered to me through Windows Update? I'm currently running a beta Windows 7 driver I got directly off of nVidia, 185.n flavor. I would 'assume' that when Windows Update offers me something, it's more up-to-date than what I have, but I'm a bit reluctant to let that install.Would I be better off using the Windows Update optional driver download presence serve as merely an indicator that there might be a newer driver out on nVidia, and go there for it? Hi LarryYou should be able to right click the update and select ViewDetails to see the information for the driver. The version on Windows Update is not necessarily a newer version, since you said that you also downloaded a driver off of the nVidia website. Most do not take the time to keep up to date and download their own drivers.The criteria that I always use in a case like this,is that "if it ain't broke, don't fix it".In other words, if you are satisfied with the way your video card is working and you are not experiencing any problems, then there is no reason to update the driver. :)Placing a hardware driver on Windows Update for distribution can take some time, depending on how quickly the manufacturer submits the driver file and how long it takes Microsoft to test it. This process could take several weeks. Graphic card manufacturers are notoriously famous for releasing updated drivers at a fast pace, so there are no guarantees that the version being offered on WU will be newer than the one you have installed.Since you are also testing a beta OS, you need to be extra cautious.Hope this helps.Thank You for testing Windows 7 Ronnie Vernon MVP

I use a program called FileHippo Update Checker (filehippo.com) which checks all the programs installed on the computer to see if they are up-to-date. Currently I have the nVIDIA drivers from Windows Update installed, and FileHippo didn't list any updates for my graphics card. So I can assume that Windows Update does provide the latest drivers. You're welcome to see for yourself with the aforementioned program.

I went to the Nvidia site and opened the driver installation for my particular board then chose the drivers for the windows seven and the installation was a bit lumpy as it seemed to quit halfway throught but just rebooted automatically and then finished installing. I even ended up with the control panel for the drivers which the microsoft installation doesn't include. Everything works fine for me. I also downloaded the cuda and it seems to have helped with my video editing.

I agree that Windows Update should show the driver version. It should be included as part of the title, not just as additional information that can be retrieved from a right click menu.Having said that, NVIDIA should be chastised for making their driver versions so confusing. The WHQL driver offered by Windows Update, 7.15.11.7967, is probably the one NVIDIA lists as 179.67. What is the deal with that?

There are actually several versions... If you go to the Windows Update catalog and search on 'Windows 7 Nvidia'you will get more than 1000 matching updates.