HP support assistant behaviour

[SMSAI]

the HP support assistant  is supposed to make a check of the available drivers update and give us the possibility to upgrade.

I've noticed that, just for example, my HP ProBook 450 G6:

- HP support Assistant: BIOS version 01.09.01 Rev.A, 

- "PC software and driver download" is available BIOS update version 01.10.00 Rev.A  (that seems to solve some issue that I'm currently having with a dell dock)

but the update is not proposed by the HP support assistant. And it is not the only case. For example:

Intel bluetooth drivers:

- HP support assistant installed vers. 21.20.0.4 Rev.A

- PC software and driver download 2 more recent updates: 21.30.0.5 Rev.A and 21.60.0.4 Rev.A

Is this a flaw of HP support assistant (thus almost useless)? The new driver can or even should be installed manually?

[IT_WinSec · Accepted solution]

Hello,

HP Support Assistant is installed on many computers worldwide and it can provide updates to them.

• Considering the fact that these updates can be installed automatically or semi-automatically, it is of extreme importance what exactly gets installed (especially if it is installed automatically).

Any sort of a new code, new program, new BIOS version, new driver version is considered somewhat risky, just because it has not been tested or many many devices. Similar to what prevents scientists now to develop vaccine or medications to treat any sort of a virus/pathogen.

It is not that the new driver or the new BIOS version is 100% unstable. However, it is new and even though it has been tested and checked, there is still no 100% guarantee. More time is needed just like with anything new.

But if you manually go to certain website, manually download the file, manually run it, manually agree to install it, the user takes this risk on their own and is considered that he/she is somewhat aware of potential benefits or issues. However, if the average user gets an automatic message that something is pushed, they would trust the vendor (HP) to have tested this on many many computers and the update to be 100% trustworthy.

So, only time and amount will prove when an update will be pushed.
If you are an advanced user and technically savvy, HP Support Assistant may not be 'The Application' for you - you may only use it as a reference - not your one and only app.

Most people (50%+) do not need to have their BIOS or drivers updated , or updated often - that often that these to pushed ASAP after official release.

I hope this helps and answers your question 🙂

[SMSAI]

Thank for the suggestion. what you wrote is "reasonable". But in many years of Dell workstation I've never seen a similar behaviour. When a new driver were realased, it was already tested (or supposed to be), recomended and automatically or semi automatically installed.

The drivers "not 100%" trustworthy should be, in my opinion, marked as "beta". In this way aby confusion would be avoided.

For future uses, I always keep track of the drivers on my PCs, and always save a copy in case of fresh system reinstall. But may be I'm too old. I've always benn used to buy a good PC and maintain it, update, upgrade...

Nowadays it seems to me that it is safer to by a "normal" and inexpensive pc and change it every year or 2...

Thank you again

Sergio

[IT_WinSec]

You are welcome, Sergio.

Stay safe and healthy 🙂