"Windows 10 Driver Update" ads...???

[trof]

I'm using W-10 and damn near every web page I load has a "Windows Driver Update" ad or banner. Says something like "Authorized Microsoft Partner".
Wouldn't I get updates automatically directly from MS?

I think this is some kind of scam.

[hobbit709]

1. SCAM!!!!!

[JayhawkSD]

2. Yes, mostly it's a scam, but...

Windows Updates and Windows drivers updates are not the same thing.

Windows Updates are modifications to the operating system itself, and come only from Microsoft. There is a setting in Control Panel about updating automatically, which should be turned "on," which makes your computer check with Microsoft every time you turn it off, and apply updates before shutting down.

Windows driver updates are the firmware that interfaces between the operating system and various devices, such as a graphics card, or a netword adapter, etc. They do not come from Microsoft but from the manufacturer of the device. There are some websites which legitimately "pool" drivers for convenience, but it's hard to tell the legit ones from spammers. Devices very seldom need their drivers updated, though, so for the most part you can ignore them unless the device is misbehaving.

The reason you are getting all the banner ads is that you are using Win10, which is a relatively new OS, and some of the device drivers may not have gotten updated in the upgrade. The advertiser reads your computer, knows you have Win10, and knows you have a good potential to be in need of new device drivers which he can sell you. You probably don't need them unless a device is misbehaving, in which case you can get them for free from the website of the manufacturer.

[Egnever]

3. Surely a scam

I would run malwarebytes to make sure you don't have adware or malware.

https://www.malwarebytes.org/