Support Assistant doesn't seem to show most recent updates

[dsr10]

I just bought my Envy x360 laptop and was using Support Assist to get drivers and software updated. After doing the updates suggested by Support Assist, I made an account on the HP site, went to the support page for my laptop and noticed that at least some of the updates Support Assist pushed out were not the most recent versions.

I didn't look up all of them, but the bios update wasn't the latest, same with the graphics driver. Probably others too, but I didn't go through the entire list.

My question is: Is this normal? Support Assist not showing up the latest drivers etc? Should I even be using Support Assist, or should I just manually go to the support site on HP and look for the latest drivers? 

It makes me wonder how reliable Support Assist is. This is my first HP in a long time, so I just don't know how good it actually is. I usually don't rely on these types of update programs provided by manufacturers, I've always just done it on my own; but I thought I would give it a try and hope it was reliable, not a resource hog and save me the trouble of remembering to update drivers.

[Dragon-Fur]

@dsr10

Depending on when the particular version of the HPSA was loaded into your computer, the software may, or may not be, up-to-date.

Control Panel > icon view > Programs and Features >

Scroll down, find, Uninstall the HP Support Assistant

After the uninstall is completed, Restart the computer and log in

NOTE:

When / If asked whether you want to save any of the presets / personal HPSA information, respond to have any (personal) data associated with the program removed along with the HPSA software.

Download and Save

HP Support Assistant

• If you have ‘Admin’ control, you may highlight the package and “double-click” to install it, else Right-Click, select run as Administrator and install.

• After the software is installed:  Restart the computer and log in

Help for HPSA:

HP PCs - Using HP Support Assistant (Windows 10, 8, 7)

HP PCs - Troubleshooting HP Support Assistant (Windows 10, 😎

As to whether you should use the program:

The use of the program is entirely voluntary -- if, for any reason, the software does not meet your expectations, you can certainly use the "manual" update method.  Many of us choose manual updates as a means of controlling which software is installed and when the updates are applied.

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[dsr10]

Hi Dragon-Fur,

Thanks for the reply. I did already have the latest version of Support Assist, but I did a reinstall just to see if that would make a difference. It still doesn't show latest versions though.

For instance, before the reinstall, it had me update my bios; but the support page on HP shows a newer version. Same with my graphics driver. Those are the two I usually try to keep updated more regularly unless I am having a problem or know of a good reason to update.....you know, if it ain't broken don't fix it.

Support Assist is still suggesting an update of HP 3d Driveguard, not the latest version, and it refuses to install, it keeps failing. Curiously, Driveguard isn't installed on my laptop at all. I'm assuming I need it. Do you know anything about this program? Or should I start a seperate thread about it?

I'm just puzzled, I'm not understanding why Support Assist doesn't show the latest versions, when the support page at the HP website does. I don't know if there is a good answer to why it's happening like this. Maybe I should disable even checking for updates, and just go to the HP support site and check for updates every once in a while? If that's the case I'm not really sure there is any advantage to having Support Assist installed at all. I guess I'm asking, if I'm checking for updates on the HP support site, is there any reason to even have Support assist at all?

Sorry for all the questions. I'm not as familiar with Windows 10, and my skills are a bit outdated. I'm just trying to get this new laptop as up to date as possible so I can do a system image and complete the migration from my old  laptop.

Thanks for all your input.

[Dragon-Fur · Accepted solution]

@dsr10

I am not in a position to defend the software, nor am I willing to publicly speculate on why a particular bit of code behaves in a certain way.

I am not in any way attempting to brush off your concerns; I simply cannot definitively answer why the software is doing what it does. 

HPSA works well for many computers and situations.

The software is not perfect.  From the evidence, It is my opinion that each new version of the HPSA is better / improved over previous versions.  Still, not perfect.

Manual Updates are safe, effective, and the first choice for many of us.

Open the Software and Driver Support page for your computer 

• If necessary, click Change > select Windows (left box) and select your version of Windows (right box)
• Click the tiny box with a + symbol inside
• Search for Updates dated 2018 (since the computer is brand new, this sould be sufficient)
• Compare (if you like) the list of Updates against what you know you have already installed
• Download, save, and install an Update you want on the computer

Hint:

BIOS updates should only be done when there is a reason -- for example, it is a security update or the update will fix a problem you know you have.

BIOS updates are usually best done after other updates have been installed.

Before Update the BIOS, back up all critical data to a location OFF the computer.  For example, back up the data to a USB drive, to your cloud storage, somewhere you can access the data in the event that the computer is unavailable.

Always run the computer on AC power during a BIOS update (not battery).

If I have anything else to offer, I will post back.  Smiling.

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