Fwupd 1.3.6 Firmware Updater Released With Initial Windows Support

[phoronix]

Phoronix: Fwupd 1.3.6 Firmware Updater Released With Initial Windows Support

Fwupd 1.3.6 was released today for ending out a very successful year for this firmware updating utility that works in-step with the Linux Vendor Firmware Service (LVFS) for allowing hardware firmware/BIOS updating on Linux systems...

http://www.phoronix.com/scan.php?page=news_item&px=Fwupd-1.3.6-Released

[starshipeleven]

[caligula]

Finally, maybe now they'll stop distributing firmware updates that depend on CP/M and C64 KERNAL.

[SWY1985]

Good... the beginning of the end for Windows: Embrace, extend, and extinguish

[RussianNeuroMancer]

Isn't on Windows that is already covered by Windows Update for years? Like with LVFS it's depend on vendor if they decide to put firmware on Windows Update or not.

[Guest]

Isn't on Windows that is already covered by Windows Update for years? Like with LVFS it's depend on vendor if they decide to put firmware on Windows Update or not.

Well most OEMs also provide custom firmware/software update applications, through which they normally distribute driver and BIOS/UEFI updates. Unless they change those applications to use fwupd, there's not much point to fwupd on Windows.

[Rob72]

Isn't on Windows that is already covered by Windows Update for years? Like with LVFS it's depend on vendor if they decide to put firmware on Windows Update or not.

Basically, it depends. If you have a notebook or PC from one of the major vendors, they will typically have some program to check for updates and offer to install them for you. But if you add 3rd party options, or if you build your own PC, those options will each have to install their own app to check for firmware updates. And some simply don't bother, or perhaps you don't want 10 different apps checking for firmware updates, each with their own potential security and privacy issues.

For instance, I have a Logitech wireless mouse that had been used on Windows 10 for a few months with the latest Logitech software installed. I then plugged it into my Linux machine and fwupd notified me that a firmware update was available for the dongle. A firmware update that had been available for a long time, but the windows software never bothered to update or even notify me that an update was available.

[cybertraveler]

Good... the beginning of the end for Windows: Embrace, extend, and extinguish

When two fish meet, it's usually the smaller one that gets extinguished when there is a... merging.

[Ipkh]

Windows update generally only delivers driver updates. Firmware generally isn't conducive to an automated update in Windiws world. Especially since a bad update can brick your device or leave your device inoperable while being updated. Generally a bad idea on a mass market OS.
The Linux fwupd system looks very good and could make it much easier on Windows to update firmware, especially durring the boot process before the interactive gui comes up.

[Britoid]

Windows update generally only delivers driver updates. Firmware generally isn't conducive to an automated update in Windiws world. Especially since a bad update can brick your device or leave your device inoperable while being updated. Generally a bad idea on a mass market OS.
The Linux fwupd system looks very good and could make it much easier on Windows to update firmware, especially durring the boot process before the interactive gui comes up.

Windows Update can install firmware in a similar way to fwupd, fwupd can even read Windows Update cab files.