Should I install the Western Digital SSD Update

[pdnRPH]

In the auto update drivers section a Western Digital SSD update is listed for January 2024. Should this be run and installed? OR will the HD die and I lose everything? Western Digital SSD Firmware Update Version HPS4HPS4THPS2 Rev.A

[WAWood]

You're combining two unrelated things -- the SSD and the HDD.  The update is for the firmware on the SSD and has nothing to do with the HDD. 

If this were mine, I would do a full image backup of the SSD before installing the firmware update. Why? Because if it fails and you can't get the SSD working again, you will have a backup to image a replacement SSD.

But if you are unable to do that, my own advice would be to decline this update -- if the SSD is working without issues.

Others may have different opinions.

[pdnRPH]

I realize it's an SSD, but I have worked with HDD and SSD for a very long time. It's a matter of semantics. I do a full backup but am concerned enough to even ask if this is smart. I need to know if it is smart or should I look at advice from the SSD mfg and then decide OR accept what HP says and go for it. This all leaved me a great quandary. It all looks good, but is it? That's the question. Further, Microsoft keeps asking for a new BIOS and still no new BIOS. With advancing Windows 11, we need HP to take care of their HP labeled computer for longer than just a year. BIOS and drivers are important and we continue to be left in the dust, and hope. 

[WAWood · Accepted solution]

I understand your concern about \HP support, as I maintain a 3-year old laptop and HP has already abandoned it in terms of support.  No drivers. No BIOS updates. Nothing.

We get LOTS of posts on here from folks who have run firmware updates only to have the device trashed as a result -- which I why I generally recommend against doing that.

But in contrast, all the dozen PCs and laptops I maintain are using SSDs as their primary drives and I've not personally run into any issues updating the firmware on any of them.  But then, I do full image backups in advance -- just in case!

[pdnRPH]

And, HP better listen up and support all of us or it will go down as it did 10 years ago. Sorry.