Duplicate Drivers with Differing Dates

Question

I was rechecking available driver updates and noted that several drivers have release dates sometimes weeks and months after I had previously downloaded and installed the update but the version information in the file name, etc., are exactly as the previously downloaded version. I had first noted this with a BIOS update a couple of months ago but tracked that down to be a case where the BIOS update was flagged as being urgent (or higher if that exists) but apparently was pulled a few days after I installed it due to errors causing compete system failure for certain chipsets. Upon further review the same BIOS update was re-released but carried the newer release date.  I could not find this type of discussion for certain other driver updates so am unsure if this is what is happening here. While it may not be a huge deal to reinstall the same driver it would also greatly help if the Last Updated date included a note when the same exact version was re-released as some of these updates take a while to install plus then require reboot. These are some recent examples for an XPS 8900 where the same version number apparently replaced itself. Dell Digital Delivery Application, Version 3.5.1001.0, A00, Release date 09 Feb 2018 Last Updated 09 Apr 2018 Intel Management Engine Components Installer, Version 11.7.0.1054, A01, Release date 16 Jan 2018 Last Updated 21 May 2018 Dell Wireless 1801 WiFi and Bluetooth Driver, Version 2023.66.1104.2017, A03, Release date 10 Jan 2018 Last Updated 27 Apr 2018  Thank You

DELL-Chris M · Accepted Answer

I hear you. The dates have always been messed up. We reported this date thing years ago. Anyway, you should only install a driver update to correct a specific ongoing issue you are actually facing with a specific component. If you are not having an issue with said component, no need to update the driver. The only driver that actually increases a components abilities would be the AMD or Nvidia video card driver. On my 2014 Alienware Area 51-R2, the only driver I periodically update is for the Nvidia Titan X because they write new drivers with new games in mind. I chose to ignore the hyped up Meltdown/Spectre BIOS updates.

leftblank · Answer

@DELL-Chris M wrote:

I hear you. The dates have always been messed up. We reported this date thing years ago.

Thank You.

I try to download all driver updates for my system just to make sure that I have them available and also backed up. If an update seems appropriate I usually like to wait to see if there is a problem that update before installing as it may often take a while before enough people put the pieces back together and figure what the problem was.

RoHe · Answer

IMHO, go by a driver's version number, not by either of the dates listed. If the version number is higher than the one you have, then it might be time to update, depending on what the new version fixes/improves and your personal preferences...

leftblank · Answer

@RoHe wrote:

IMHO, go by a driver's version number, not by either of the dates listed.

Thanks, that is what I had been going by when there was a driver that I chose to install although I would usually end up wasting time trying to confirm what had happened when I noticed the date conflict or the saved file had (1), (2), etc., tacked onto the file name.

XPS Desktops

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