UPDATE 11/19/2014: When originally published, this article misstated some details around the updates for the Pen driver and the Home Button driver. The information below has been updated to reflect the correction (see *). We apologize for any confusion caused.

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As more of you are deploying, adopting and managing Surface Pro 3 devices in your organizations, you have asked to learn about the updates for the device in advance of them being available. Based on your feedback, we are sharing the key improvements that are coming to your Surface Pro 3 device in the upcoming update. 

Surface Pro UEFI update (v3.11.350.0) 

• Resolves scenarios where the device will boot to a black screen if McAfee Defense Encryption 7.1.1 is installed.
• Optimizes the FWPOST time to 3.7 seconds with the fast boot enabled.
• Prevents situations where system clock loses time when battery falls below 3%.

Surface Home Button driver update (v2.0.1174.0)

• Surface Home Button driver update (v2.0.1174.0) enables future functionality for the Surface Hub app.*

Surface Pen Settings driver update (v2.5.14.0)

• Surface Pen Settings driver update (v2.5.14.0) enables future functionality for the Surface Hub app.*

Wireless Network Controller and Bluetooth driver update (v15.68.3066.135)

• Enables better throughput after waking from sleep and connecting to an 802.11AC network.
• Ensures Infra scan list is not empty while connected to a wireless display adapter.
• Resolves an issue connecting to Cisco 1242 access points.
• Ensures device reconnects properly to a hidden SSID using a 5Ghz DFS channel after waking from sleep.
• Adds customer-requested functionality to prefer 5Ghz connections when both a 2.4ghz and 5ghz connection are present with the same SSID.

~ The Surface Team

Get the latest System Center news onFacebookandTwitter:

System Center All Up: http://blogs.technet.com/b/systemcenter/

Configuration Manager Support Team blog: http://blogs.technet.com/configurationmgr/ 
Data Protection Manager Team blog: http://blogs.technet.com/dpm/ 
Orchestrator Support Team blog: http://blogs.technet.com/b/orchestrator/ 
Operations Manager Team blog: http://blogs.technet.com/momteam/ 
Service Manager Team blog: http://blogs.technet.com/b/servicemanager 
Virtual Machine Manager Team blog: http://blogs.technet.com/scvmm

The Forefront Endpoint Protection blog : http://blogs.technet.com/b/clientsecurity/
The Forefront Identity Manager blog : http://blogs.msdn.com/b/ms-identity-support/
The Forefront TMG blog: http://blogs.technet.com/b/isablog/
The Forefront UAG blog: http://blogs.technet.com/b/edgeaccessblog/

Worldwide, IT Pros everywhere are adopting Microsoft Surface devices for their organizations. Many of you that have adopted Surface devices have asked to learn more about the driver and firmware updates for them since this helps you be better informed on the improvements and enables you to better support end users.  

So in that spirit, here is the list of improvements included in the January driver and firmware update. You can download these updates here.

Intel(R) HD Graphics Family driver update (v10.18.14.4029)

• Adds support for the Autodesk Mudbox 2015 paintbrush tool.
• Ensures that unreadable text does not appear in the Microsoft Outlook calendar pane.
• Improves performance of video display and zoom features in DirectX applications
• Adds support for the fast cursor feature when using Miracast adapters, including the Microsoft Wireless Display Adapter. 
• Ensures there is no flickering/blank display on externally connected monitors, especially when connecting multiple monitors in a daisy-chain configuration
• Improves compatibility with Samsung U28D590D and Dell 2713H monitors. Some customers reported they saw a change in screen resolution when the device is docked and connected to Dell monitor. This has been addressed in the update.
• Adds additional support to enable better compatibility with Panasonic and Actiontec Miracast adapters
• Ensures there is no unexpected battery drain while the Surface device is in Connected Standby mode.
• Resolves KMODE_Exception_Not_Handled system crash when using Excel PowerMap
• Resolves some instances of Stop 0x9F and Stop 0x133 system crashes.
• Resolves system hang that could occur if f.lux was enabled by an application.
• Resolves system crash that could occur when attaching to external monitors immediately after waking the device from sleep or removing it from the docking station.

Marvell Wireless Network Controller and Bluetooth driver update (v15.68.3073.151)

• As part of ongoing improvements to Wi-Fi experience on Surface Pro 3 device, customers now have the ability to manually select a preference between 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz connections for their device. We will publish a separate blog to describe this functionality further so more customers can take advantage of this capability.
• Modifies power management logic to allow the wireless adapter to function properly when the Hyper-V feature is enabled in Windows.
• For European Union customers, there are specific requirements outlined in EN 300 328 v1.8.1. This update includes capabilities to stay current on these requirements, including an LE switch to better control energy detection and Bluetooth Power setting.
• Resolves a low throughput scenario when using Cisco 3702 access points in 11ac mode.

Surface Home Button driver update (v2.0.1179.0)

• Improves compatibility with Surface Hub application.

Surface Integration driver update (v2.0.1182.0)

• Improves compatibility of Surface Pro 3 with Windows 10.

Microsoft Docking Station Audio Device driver update (v1.31.35.7)

• Addresses scenario where no sound would play while the device was docked without an external speaker connected.

We strongly recommend downloading these driver updates to get more from the Surface devices in your organization.

Thank you,

The Surface IT Pro Marketing team

Hi all, this is Joe with the Surface Engineering team that is responsible for creating and delivering the updates to Surface Devices.  I am excited to announce that we have a solution for customers that can't or don't use Windows Update and for customers that need to do a mass deployment of Surface firmware and Driver Updates. We now have a Windows Installer (MSI) option available.

Why did we do this?  Are you getting rid of Windows Update?  

The goal was to address a common scenario for customers that rely on Enterprise deployment solutions such as System Center Configuration Manager (SCCM) to deploy software updates.. There is not a change in our update strategy, it is an additional option for our large customers.

Windows Update will remain in place for customers to use as it has functioned prior. The MSI package is an additional option that we are enabling in response to the growing need of our customers that are remotely managing devices.

What does it do?

This should read what does it do in detail? For starters it installs all firmware and drivers that have been updated since the device launched with the exception of the touch firmware (More that in a minute).

This package contains the latest drivers and firmware specific Surface Pro 3. It will first check to see if the device is a Surface Pro 3 and if it is it will allow the MSI package to install. It then copies files to the \Windows\temp and installs all of the drivers and firmware that this package contains using DPinst.exe.  It also adds an entry "Surface Platform Installer" to Programs with a version number.  Updates post January 2015 will re-use the same entry and simply update the version number. The version number is essentially a date starting with the year. This feature is there for software inventory purposes.

This MSI package is very “generic” in the fact that it does not contain a lot of custom actions. This is by design so we don’t have to worry about the breadth of deployment software idiosyncrasies and a lack of a bootstrap to preserve the standard MSI switches. A reference of the MSI command line switches can be found here. http://support.microsoft.com/kb/227091?wa=wsignin1.0

What does it not do? 

The package does not check power state as a condition of launching and executing. However our UEFI firmware update does check the power state. If the UEFI is not updated it goes into the standard algorithm which tries on 2 subsequent reboots and if the power is above 25% it will apply the update.

It also does not update the touch firmware at this point and that is intentional as most machines are up to date with the touch firmware we want them to have. The latest and greatest touch firmware for Surface Pro 3 is 426.27.66.0. The main reasons we didn’t upgrade the touch firmware are outlined below.

• This update takes a comparatively long length of time relative to other Surface Updates.

• Yes, it takes a long time…

This installer does not address the scenario of building a Surface image from scratch.  You still need to go to the download center and get the Surface Driver package if you are building an image starting from a base Windows image. For example. The SATA controller driver has never been updated since launch, so it is not in the MSI but it is in the drivers and firmware package on the download center if you are building an image.  That is the current design and the intent is to mirror what is offered by Windows Update.

Where can I get it?

You can download the MSI from the Microsoft Download Center here - https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=38826

Cheers

Joe Eldridge

We are encouraged by your feedback on the recent improvements we made on Microsoft Surface devices. As more of you are adopting Surface devices in your organization, you have asked for more flexibility to configure the devices to meet your business need.

Based on this feedback, here is the list of improvements included in the driver and firmware update that you can download here:

We strongly recommend downloading these driver updates to get more from the Surface devices in your organization.

Thanks,

Surface IT Pro Marketing team

Surface 3 is now available. As a device running Windows 8.1 Pro, it already offers business-ready features that support easy IT integration, domain join, and enterprise-class security – all in our most portable package. And now, for customers intending to do mass deployments into larger organizations, we’re pleased to announce a driver update intended to put you ahead of the game. 

The update – which is available now -- improves the mass deployment process, broadens the range of enterprise-level features, and helps bring the Surface 3 deployment experience in line with its more business-oriented sibling, Surface Pro 3. The update includes new and enhanced features including those expected in a larger-scale commercial environment such as enhanced PXE booting and support for asset tagging.

This release is available via the download center and is not generally available via Windows Update. We’re making it available now to help you hit the ground running with deployments of the new Surface 3 device in your organization.  

The update is available as an msi and zip file. Look for the files named Surface3_150504.msi  and Surface3_150504.zip (click '+ More' if you don't see them in the list), and you can follow the same deployment process that is used for Surface Pro 3 described at Surface TechCenter here.

Thanks, 

Surface IT Pro Marketing team

Get the latest System Center news onFacebookandTwitter:

System Center All Up: http://blogs.technet.com/b/systemcenter/

Configuration Manager Support Team blog: http://blogs.technet.com/configurationmgr/ 
Data Protection Manager Team blog: http://blogs.technet.com/dpm/ 
Orchestrator Support Team blog: http://blogs.technet.com/b/orchestrator/ 
Operations Manager Team blog: http://blogs.technet.com/momteam/ 
Service Manager Team blog: http://blogs.technet.com/b/servicemanager 
Virtual Machine Manager Team blog: http://blogs.technet.com/scvmm

The Forefront Endpoint Protection blog : http://blogs.technet.com/b/clientsecurity/
The Forefront Identity Manager blog : http://blogs.msdn.com/b/ms-identity-support/
The Forefront TMG blog: http://blogs.technet.com/b/isablog/
The Forefront UAG blog: http://blogs.technet.com/b/edgeaccessblog/

Here is the list of improvements included in the May driver and firmware update. The following updates will be listed as System Firmware Update – 5/19/2015 when you view your update history. You can download these updates here.

The SurfacePro3_150519.zip file contains the following updates for Surface Pro 3 devices.

HD Graphics Family driver update (v10.18.14.4170) 

* Improves graphic performance and includes better Miracast (wireless display) support.
* Addresses customer feedback on banding in the gradients 

Surface Pro 3 UEFI update (v3.11.850.0) 

* Includes changes needed for compatibility with the updated graphics driver. 

Display Audio driver update (v6.16.00.3172) 

* Improves audio experience and supports compatibility with the updated Graphics driver.

In addition, the following update is available only via the SurfacePro3_150519.msi file at this time. (Note that the SurfacePro3_150519.msi file contains all of the current May driver and firmware updates.)

Intel (SATA AHCI) Storage Driver update (v9.4.0.1028)

* Includes checks to verify the correct storage driver is installed.

These updates will be made available via the Windows Update service at a future date.

Thanks, 

Surface IT Pro Marketing team

Here is the list of improvements included in the June driver and firmware update. The following updates will be listed as System Firmware Update – 6/23/2015 when you view your update history. You can download these updates here. Click Details then click + More to see all available downloads.

Surface 3

The Surface3_150623.zip file contains the following updates for Surface 3 devices.

Surface System Aggregator Firmware Update (v1.0.49500.0)

* Improves the operation of the type cover.

* Addresses rare occurrences where the Surface Cover is not detected properly by the device. 

Audio Device driver update (v603.9600.2563.61816)

* Enhances audio performance.

* Adds additional leveling to help ensure consistent volume across different audio channels during audio playback. 

Surface Pen Settings driver update (v4.0.112.1)

* Enables new functionality in the Surface app, which is available at no additional charge in the Windows Store. 

Camera driver updates (v20.9600.3444.120)

* Enhances image and video quality of the camera.

* Corrects a case that could turn off the camera during Skype calls. 

HD Graphics driver update (v10.18.14.4175)

* Improves graphics performance and stability.

* Improves performance and power consumption for some DirectX calls made by applications.

* Corrects several conditions that could trigger driver resets. 

Wireless Network Controller and Bluetooth driver updates (v15.68.3091.193)

* Improves Wi-Fi connectivity and stability, and increases download performance.

* Addresses problems reported by some customers with specific Enterprise Wireless Access Point configurations. 

Surface Pro 3

The SurfacePro3_150623.zip file contains the following updates for Surface Pro 3 devices.

Surface Pro UEFI update (v3.11.950.0)

* Adds support for the new power management features in Windows 10, in preparation for the upcoming Windows 10 launch. 

Wireless Network Controller and Bluetooth driver updates (v15.68.3091.193)

* Improves Wi-Fi connectivity and stability, and increases download performance.

* Addresses problems reported by some customers with specific Enterprise Wireless Access Point configurations. 

Intel SATA AHCI Storage Controller Driver update (v9.4.0.1028)

* Stabilizes deployment methodology on Surface Pro 3.

* This driver update contains a change to the INF file to insure that it supersedes other device drivers on devices where customized images of Windows 8.1 have been applied.  Using the wrong storage driver on a Surface Pro 3 device can result in poor performance or corruption of data.

For more information on problems that can occur when using an incorrect storage driver, refer to KB article:

3030044   entitled Surface Pro 3 hangs at UEFI settings, and you encounter Stop errors, disk errors, and performance issues at http://support.microsoft.com/kb/3030044/EN-US

Thanks, 

Surface IT Pro Marketing team

Provisioning Package, Firmware and Drivers now available for Surface

We have released a specific provisioning package for Surface Pro 3 on the download center that you can use to speed your deployment, update, and configuration of Windows 10 on Surface Pro 3 devices. In coming weeks, we will provide packages for other Surface devices.

Get Started

Here’s what you can do to get your end users up and running on Windows 10. You will need the latest firmware and driver pack for Surface devices, and Windows 10. For Surface Pro 3 devices you can download the sample Windows 10 provisioning package, which includes the necessary drivers.

Scenario 1: Using the standard image for Surface devices

1.       Install Windows 10 drivers for Surface devices by downloading and running the Surface driver .zip or .msi file for the end user’s specific device. (On the Download Center page, click More under Details to see a complete list of available packages).

2.       Upgrade to Windows 10.

a.       Download Windows 10 and create your own installation media for the standard Windows 10 image.

b.      Instruct users to select the Dynamic Update option during the setup process to automatically download and install latest updates.

Scenario 2: Using a custom image for Surface devices

1.       Download Windows 10 specific Surface firmware and drivers pack for Surface 3, Surface Pro 3, Surface Pro 2, and Surface Pro 1 devices from the Download Center.

a.       Or for Surface Pro 3 devices you can download thesample provisioning package for Surface Pro 3, which incorporates the appropriate drivers.

2.       Get Windows 10 for your business

3.       Create a custom deployment image incorporating Windows 10 and the Surface firmware and driver pack for your specific Surface device (or use the sample provisioning package for Surface Pro 3.)

4.       Follow the Windows 10 deployment guidance provided on the deployment page of the Windows Techcenter.

Here is the list of improvements included in the August driver and firmware update. The following update will be listed as “Intel Corporation driver update for Intel(R) HD Graphics” when you view your update history.

Businesses can download these updates here. Click Details then click + More to see all available downloads. You can follow the same deployment process that is used for Surface Pro 3 described at Surface TechCenter here.

Surface Pro 3 and Surface Pro 2

The SurfacePro3_Win10_150818_1.zip and SurfacePro2_Win10_150818_0.zip files contain the following updates for Surface devices:

HD Graphics driver update (v10.18.15.4256)

• Improves graphics performance and stability on Windows 10.

These updates will also be made available via the Windows Update service. When Surface updates are provided via the Windows Update service, they are delivered in stages to Surface customers. As a result, not every Surface will receive the update at the same time, but the update will be delivered to all devices.

Thanks, 

Surface IT Pro Marketing team

Many of you have asked which updates apply to which of your devices. In the spirit of simplifying the update experience, we have reorganized the updates on the Download Center. All the latest driver updates needed for your device are now available at the specific location for that device.

From now on we will be providing driver updates for Surface devices at these locations whenever they are available.

This month we have an update for Surface Pro 3 devices running Windows 10. Click the headings below to go to the specific location for your device on the Download Center. At the Download Center, click Details then click + More to see all available downloads for the device. For all devices you can follow the same deployment process that is used for Surface Pro 3 described at Surface TechCenter.

We recommend updating your Favorites with these new links.

As always, these updates are also be made available via the Windows Update service. When Surface updates are provided via the Windows Update service, they are delivered in stages to Surface customers. As a result, not every Surface will receive the update at the same time, but the update will be delivered to all devices.

Thanks,

Surface IT Pro Marketing team

This month we have an update for Surface 3 LTE devices running Windows 10 and Windows 8.1. Click the headings below to go to the specific location for your device on the Download Center. At the Download Center, click Details then click + More to see all available downloads for the device. For all devices you can follow the same deployment process that is used for Surface Pro 3 described atSurface TechCenter. 

As always, these updates are also made available via the Windows Update service. When Surface updates are provided via the Windows Update service, they are delivered in stages to Surface customers. As a result, not every Surface will receive the update at the same time, but the update will be delivered to all devices.

Thanks,

Surface IT Pro Marketing team

Today marks the launch of Microsoft Mechanics (www.microsoft.com/mechanics), our official new video show platform for IT professionals and tech enthusiasts. Shows comprise informative demos, how-tos, and insights from the engineers and tech leaders behind the technology, and air each Wednesday or as news breaks.

For Surface, this means that beyond our news and blog announcements, we’ll regularly deliver topical 2 to 3 minute demo-rich video overviews in our upcoming Demo Bench series featured on the Surface playlist. These shows will be hosted directly by the device and software engineers behind Surface. For more specific topics we’ll also release several narrated & animated demos. The first of which we published today on how to discover and manage driver and firmware updates for Surface.

You may be interested in learning more about the specific design features of Surface Pro 4 and Surface Book. You may have questions around manageability; you may want to understand Surface power plans, or get news of the latest firmware and driver updates. In all cases you can stay informed by:

Following us on Twitter @MSFTMechanics

Subscribing to Microsoft Mechanics site on YouTube

Signing up for Surface IT Pro Bulletin

Don’t forget to keep checking the Surface for IT Pros blog as we’ll also share new demonstrations here.

Thanks,

Surface IT Pro Marketing team

This month we have updates Surface Pro 4 and Surface Book devices running Windows 10, and for Surface Pro 3 and Surface 3 LTE devices running Windows 10 and Windows 8.1.

Click the headings below to go to the specific location for your device on the Download Center. At the Download Center, click Details then click + More to see all available downloads for the device. For all devices you can follow the same deployment process that is used for Surface Pro 3 described at Surface TechCenter.

As always, these updates may also be made available via the Windows Update service. When Surface updates are provided via the Windows Update service, they are delivered in stages to Surface customers. As a result, not every Surface will receive the update at the same time, but the update will be delivered to all devices.

Thanks,

Surface IT Pro Marketing team

If you manage Surface Pro 3 or Surface 3 devices for your organization and you want to upgrade one or many of them from Windows 8.1 to Windows 10, one of the faster and simpler options for Windows 10 migration is Windows in-place upgrade.

In the latest addition to our demo series on Microsoft Mechanics, we walk through the basics of this greatly improved upgrade option. The demo includes tips on automated in-place upgrades using existing deployment tools such as MDT, Configuration Manager, or scripts.

We also cover how to get the installation media and ensure that you have the right Surface drivers. Indispensable information if you do not use Windows Update inside your organization.

Keep following the Surface series on Microsoft Mechanics and let us know if there are additional topics that you’d like us to cover. Our previous demo on ‘How to manage and update your drivers and firmware for Surface’ can be viewed here. You can also find additional guidance on Windows 10 in-place upgrade and alternative upgrade options here.

Stay informed by regularly checking the IT pro blog or signing up to receive Surface IT Pro Bulletin.

Thanks,

Surface IT Pro Marketing team

We have new updates for Surface 3 Wi-Fi and for Surface 3 LTE devices running Windows 10 and Windows 8.1.

Click the headings below to go to the specific location for your device on the Download Center. At the Download Center, click Details then click + More to see all available downloads for the device. For all devices you can follow the same deployment process that is used for Surface Pro 3 described at Surface TechCenter.

As always, these updates may also be made available via the Windows Update service. When Surface updates are provided via the Windows Update service, they are delivered in stages to Surface customers. As a result, not every Surface will receive the update at the same time, but the update will be delivered to all devices.

Thanks,

Surface IT Pro Marketing team

We have new driver and firmware updates for Surface Pro 4 and Surface Book devices.

Click the headings below to go to the specific location for your device on the Download Center. At the Download Center, click Details then click + More to see all available downloads for the device. For all devices you can follow the same deployment process that is used for Surface Pro 3 described at Surface TechCenter.

As always, these updates may also be made available via the Windows Update service. When Surface updates are provided via the Windows Update service, they are delivered in stages to Surface customers. As a result, not every Surface will receive the update at the same time, but the update will be delivered to all devices.

Thanks,

Surface IT Pro Marketing team

We have new updates for Surface Pro 4 and Surface Book devices.

Click the headings below to go to the specific location for your device on the Download Center. At the Download Center, click Details then click + More to see all available downloads for the device. For all devices you can follow the similar deployment process that is used for Surface Pro 3 described at Surface TechCenter.

Surface Pro 4 SurfacePro4_Win10_151203_0.msi SurfacePro4_Win10_151203_1.zip

Updates for Surface Pro 4 devices For Surface Pro 4 devices, updates will be posted at aka.ms/drivers/surfacepro4 The following update will be listed as “System Firmware Update – 12/02/2015”when you view your update history. Note that Surface Pro 4 devices can only run Windows 10 operating system. HD Graphics 520 driver update (v20.19.15.4326) Improves display stability, performance, and addresses graphics driver reset scenarios. Surface Display Calibration driver update (v1.1.381.0) Supports compatibility with the updated graphics driver.

Surface Book SurfaceBook_Win10_151203_0.msi SurfaceBook_Win10_151203_1.zip

Updates for Surface Book devices For Surface Book devices, updates will be posted at aka.ms/drivers/surfacebook The following update will be listed as “System Firmware Update – 12/02/2015”when you view your update history. Note that Surface Book devices can only run Windows 10 operating system. HD Graphics 520 driver update (v20.19.15.4326) Improves display stability, performance, and addresses graphics driver reset scenarios. Surface Display Calibration driver update (v1.1.381.0) Supports compatibility with the updated graphics driver.

As always, these updates may also be made available via the Windows Update service. When Surface updates are provided via the Windows Update service, they are delivered in stages to Surface customers. As a result, not every Surface will receive the update at the same time, but the update will be delivered to all devices.

Thanks,

Surface IT Pro Marketing team

We have new updates for Surface Pro 4 and Surface Book devices.

Click the headings below to go to the specific location for your device on the Download Center. At the Download Center, click Details then click + More to see all available downloads for the device. For all devices you can follow the similar deployment process that is used for Surface Pro 3 described at Surface TechCenter.

As always, these updates may also be made available via the Windows Update service. When Surface updates are provided via the Windows Update service, they are delivered in stages to Surface customers. As a result, not every Surface will receive the update at the same time, but the update will be delivered to all devices.

Thanks,

Surface IT Pro Marketing team

We have new updates for Surface Pro 4 devices.

Click the heading below to go to the specific location on the Download Center. At the Download Center, click Details then click + More to see all available downloads for the device. For all devices you can follow the similar deployment process that is used for Surface Pro 3 described at Surface TechCenter.

As always, these updates may also be made available via the Windows Update service. When Surface updates are provided via the Windows Update service, they are delivered in stages to Surface customers. As a result, not every Surface will receive the update at the same time, but the update will be delivered to all devices.

Thanks,

Surface IT Pro Marketing team

We have new updates for Surface Book devices.

Click the headings below to go to the specific location for your device on the Download Center. At the Download Center, click Details then click + More to see all available downloads for the device. For all devices you can follow the similar deployment process that is used for Surface Pro 3 described at Surface TechCenter.

As always, these updates may also be made available via the Windows Update service. When Surface updates are provided via the Windows Update service, they are delivered in stages to Surface customers. As a result, not every Surface will receive the update at the same time, but the update will be delivered to all devices.

Thanks,

Surface IT Pro Marketing team