I'm looking for tips on how to manage driver updates for a growing number of custom-built computers in our remote Intune environment. We have a few hundred 'gaming spec' devices that don't share consistent hardware configurations since they're built with whatever components are available, like ASUS, MSI, and Gigabyte motherboards, and primarily use RTX 3060 GPUs. While we're getting some updates through Windows Updates and Autopatch, they don't always provide the latest drivers. Are there any tools out there that can help manage driver and BIOS updates for various manufacturers, similar to what Dell Command or Lenovo Vantage offer? And how are others handling mass management of similar devices?
3 Answers
Managing a bunch of mixed hardware sounds like a hassle! Consider using PDQ Deploy or SCCM if your budget allows. Both are pretty good at handling varied hardware setups. For Nvidia drivers, try scripting the updates since those tend to be the trickiest with all those 3060s. You might also explore DriverPack or Snappy Driver Installer, but they can be hit or miss, so I'd recommend testing on your most common setups before rolling out to all the machines. What kind of remote access do you have for these devices? That could shape your approach a lot!
Honestly, the best solution might be to ditch the cobbled-together gaming PCs altogether. Upgrading to proper, supported professional PCs from vendors like Dell could save you a lot of headaches and money in the long run.
I'd love to go that route, but the current setup predates me. Even if we convince management to switch, it'll take time to phase out the existing systems. It’s a real mess!
You might manage driver updates by extracting the driver files and installing them via scripts. However, BIOS updates could be tricky since many consumer-level machines lack silent installation options for updates. In my past experience, some manufacturers offered command line tools but often required interactive prompts, which isn't ideal for remote management.
Thanks for the suggestions! We mainly use Intune for management, and TeamViewer for remote access. It's challenging with the variety of components and getting everything managed correctly.