Vista: Windows Update Everywhere

About 10 days ago, I got a Samsung CLP-600N color laser printer from a friend. He bought it deeply discounted at a closing CompUSA and passed along the savings to me. This guy has a nose for deals. Among his other CompUSA treasures: $2,200 Epson projector for eight bucks. Geez!

I was somewhat concerned about Vista drivers for the printer. I started my search for Vista driver compatibility with Microsoft rather than Samsung. Microsoft has turned Windows Marketplace into a great resource for its partners and customers. A search for the printer revealed that it is "Certified for Windows Vista." A link directly to a driver would have been a nice touch (hint, hint Microsoft).

I next went to the Samsung page for Vista compatibility, where I read that the CLP-600N is "supported in the Microsoft Windows Vista Operating System." Whew Hoo! I proceeded to the Vista Control Panel and started the process for adding a network printer.

Unfortunately, Vista could find no driver for the printer. I repeated the search several times. Finally, I clicked on "The printer that I want isn't listed" option. From there, I searched through a list of printers but only found drivers for the CLP-550 and CLP-650. No 600.

I then noticed something never seen in a driver installation box: A button labeled "Windows Update." I clicked the button and nothing happened, or so it seemed. There was no indication that the click had caused anything to happen, other than greying out the "Windows Update" button. Yet, about two minutes later, the button ungreyed, the printer list refreshed and there I found the CLP-600N driver.

From there, the printer installation proceeded rather quickly. I've never seen such an easy network printer installation—and who hasn't lost a few years of living because of the frustration of installing a network printer?

Of course, I asked Microsoft about the surprising location of the Windows Update button.

"In order to provide a better user experience in Windows Vista, the Windows Update button may appear on an install screen in addition to the Windows Update control panel," explained Chris Lange, lead product manager for Windows Update. "This is to provide users with an in-context way of getting the appropriate driver as they are adding new hardware."

I spoke with Lange on the phone, and he later provided additional comments by e-mail.

It's a slick approach, for which—like most anything—there is something good and bad to be said. First the bad, so it's out of the way: There still remain questions whether Microsoft used the revamped Windows Update mechanism to ship Windows Vista before it was really ready. I define readiness to include the supporting Windows ecosystem.

Now for the good: The revamped Windows Update mechanism means that hardware vendors can better get drivers to end users where most needed: During driver installation. The feature has its roots in Windows XP, which also could do an Internet query for drivers. But Vista goes much farther; hardware drivers and software updates are distributed automatically through the Windows Update pipeline.

"Partners can distribute drivers via Windows Update, for partner devices that qualify for the Windows Vista logo program," Lange explained.

There is a process in place for hardware vendors. When applying to participate in the Windows Vista logo program, partners "should indicate that they would like to add their drivers to the Windows Update site and accept the Driver Distribution Agreement," Lange added.

To qualify, drivers must pass Windows Hardware Quality Labs testing and use INF-based installation.

Lange added: "Once these qualifications are met, the Driver Distribution Center allows partners to define or change settings for distributing drivers on Windows Update including quickly adjusting distribution settings, receiving notification of changes to content related to the company and viewing statistics on distributed content."

While there are obvious benefits to Microsoft's approach—to hardware partners and end users—what about the potential negative impact on corporate PCs? Surely, IT managers wouldn't want just any so-and-so pulling down updates to install on this or that.

Lange rebuffed, "Windows Update is really designed for unmanaged updates." Microsoft expects enterprises will use SUS (Software Update Services) and WUS (Windows Update Services) instead.

Maybe, maybe not. Many enterprises are hub-and-spokes operations with highly managed central offices connected by many smaller satellite offices over which control may be looser. One irreverent update can bust up applications compatibility.

Still, Microsoft has done some impressive work here and provided better utility for getting drivers to end users, with the caveat that hardware manufacturers must go through the Windows logo and testing process first.

Related Posts:

• Secure or Insecure with Windows Update, Microsoft Watch, May 15, 2007
• Vista to PC Makers: You're Welcome, Microsoft Watch, March 23, 2007
• Windows Vista: More Work In Progress, Microsoft Watch, jan. 4, 2007
• WGA: Friendly Face, or Saving Face?, Microsoft Watch, Nov. 29, 2006
• Windows Vista: Work In Progress, Microsoft Watch, Nov. 21, 2006