Anonymous

milburgh

zookeeper

Microsoft does release driver updates via Microsoft Update (and Windows Update). The problem is that most drivers are owned by third-parties. Microsoft provides them a mechanism to distribute their updates (Microsoft Update and Windows Update), but many choose not to. OEM's can be really bad about this since they want consumers to visit their sites as well (or run their crapware auto-updater).

In order for Microsoft to develop the patches, they'd need all the code for every driver and would have to take on the responsibility of maintaining them. They've already done this for a few devices, but most of the industry would balk at giving all their source to Microsoft (esp. third-party device driver shops). Also, most of the industry stop updating it's drivers to get the consumer to buy new devices - maintenance and updates are not part of some warranty or mandatory (which perhaps they should be).

Microsoft has been a very strong advocate within the industry for improving driver quality. The vast majority of bugs and failures that affected Windows 5 years ago were due to poorly written drivers. Things have improved dramatically since then, and Microsoft is continuing to push. Probably not fair to villify them here, since, unlike Apple, Windows is not a closed system.