Microsoft is changing the windows update experience in Windows 10 so that "optional" updates are shown in a dedicated screen that will allow you to pick which update you would like to install

In the past, Microsoft would put optional updates such as drivers, NET framework, quality updates, and others into a dedicated "Optional Update" bucket. Users could then select the optional updates they wanted to install and skip the rest.

Windows 7 Optional Updates screen

With the release of Windows 10, Microsoft started lumping all of the updates together without giving you much choice as to what you could and could not install.

New Optional Updates screen coming in Windows 10

When Windows 10 20H1 is released in Spring 2020, Microsoft will be bringing back a dedicated optional updates screen that will list non-security updates such as drivers, feature updates, and monthly non-security quality updates.

If one of these types of updates is available for your PC, Windows will display a "View optional updates" link under the Check for updates button as shown below.

Updated Windows Update screen

Clicking this option will open a new "View optional updates" screen that lists all of the available updates that can be installed. You can then pick and choose the update you wish to install.

View optional updates screen

While this gives you more choice in what drivers you can install, Microsoft still states that drivers will be automatically updated.

Blocking automatic driver updates

For those who do not wish Windows 10 to update their drivers, you will still be able to disable automatic driver updating by going to the "Device installation settings" settings screen and selecting "No (your device might not work as expected)."

Device installation settings

Disabling automatic driver updates, though, could cause more problems for the machine. This is because Windows 10 may install driver updates that are required for Windows 10 to work properly or for you to be able to upgrade to a newer version.

At the same time, allowing Windows 10 to update working drivers could cause other issues on the machine or the software you use.

Therefore, users should only change this preference if they know what they are doing and understand that it may cause more problems on the machine.