Computing Device Update Control

Abstract

Techniques for computing device update configuration are described. In implementations, an update service is employed to manage update groups for various types and/or classifications of computing devices. An update group can specify particular update statuses for functionalities of a computing device, such as device driver updates, software updates, firmware updates, and so forth. In at least some implementations, a computing device can be assigned to an update group based on attributes of the computing device, such as an identifier of a manufacturer for the computing device, a make identifier for the computing device, a model identifier, and so forth. Update information associated with the update group can be synchronized with the computing device.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system comprising:
 a receiver configured to receive update targeting information from a computing device manufacturer;   memory, operably coupled to the receiver to store the update targeting information, the update targeting information including information that indicates that an available update is not to be applied for a particular type of computing device; and   a processor to configure, based on the update targeting information, an update group for the particular type of computing device to specify that the available update is not to be applied to the particular type of computing device.   
     
     
         2 . A system as described in  claim 1 , wherein the update group comprises a pre-existing update group that specifies that the available update is to be applied to the particular type of computing device, and the processor is configured to reconfigure the update group to specify that the available update is not to be applied to the particular type of computing device. 
     
     
         3 . A system as described in  claim 1 , wherein the update group comprises a pre-existing update group associated with multiple different types of computing devices including the particular type of computing device, and the processor is configured to create a particular update group, separate from the pre-existing update group, that specifies that the available update is not to be applied to the particular type of computing device. 
     
     
         4 . A system as described in  claim 1 , wherein the update group comprises a pre-existing update group and the processor is configured to dynamically reassign the particular type of computing device to a different pre-existing update group based on the received update targeting information. 
     
     
         5 . A system as described in  claim 1 , wherein the update targeting information identifies the particular type of computing device by a device manufacturer and one or more of a make identifier or a model identifier. 
     
     
         6 . A system as described in  claim 1 , wherein the update targeting information comprises at least one of device driver information or software update information. 
     
     
         7 . A system as described in  claim 1 , wherein the receiver is further configured to receive an update query from a computing device, the update query including profile information that identifies the computing device as corresponding to the particular type of computing device, and the processor is configured to form a communication to cause a different version of the available update to be transmitted to the computing device. 
     
     
         8 . A system as described in  claim 1 , wherein the receiver is further configured to receive an update query from a computing device, the update query including profile information that identifies the computing device as corresponding to the particular type of computing device, and the processor is configured to form a communication to cause a different version of the available update to be transmitted from an update authority directly to the computing device. 
     
     
         9 . A system as described in  claim 1 , wherein the receiver is further configured to receive an update query from a computing device, the update query including profile information that identifies the computing device as corresponding to a type of computing device different from the particular type of computing device, and the processor is configured to form a communication to cause the available update to be transmitted to the computing device. 
     
     
         10 . A method comprising:
 receiving, at an update service, an update query from a computing device, the update query including profile information that identifies at least a manufacturer of the computing device;   determining that the profile information corresponds to multiple different update groups;   matching the profile information to data fields of the multiple different update groups;   determining that a particular update group has the greatest number of data fields corresponding to the profile information;   matching the computing device to the particular update group; and   causing update information associated with the particular update group to be propagated to the computing device.   
     
     
         11 . A method as described in  claim 10 , wherein the update information associated with the particular update group is stored at an update authority remote from the update service and the update information is propagated directly to the computing device from the update authority. 
     
     
         12 . A method as described in  claim 10 , wherein the update information associated with the particular update group is stored at the update service and the update information is propagated to the computing device from the update service. 
     
     
         13 . A method as described in  claim 10 , wherein the profile information further identifies a model of the computing device and one or more identifiers for component devices of the computing device. 
     
     
         14 . A system comprising:
 at least one processor; and   an update service module including instructions stored thereon that, responsive to execution by the at least one processor, cause the update service module to:
 receive update targeting information from a computing device authority; and 
 configure, based on the update targeting information, an update group associated with a computing device by overriding one or more default settings of the update group. 
   
     
     
         15 . A system as described in  claim 14 , wherein the one or more default update settings specify that updates are to be provided to the computing device when available. 
     
     
         16 . A system as described in  claim 14 , wherein the computing device authority comprises a manufacturer of the computing device. 
     
     
         17 . A system as described in  claim 14 , wherein the computing device authority comprises an entity authorized by a manufacturer of the computing device to configure update information for the computing device. 
     
     
         18 . A system as described in  claim 14 , wherein the update targeting information comprises an indication of at least one update that is not to be propagated to the computing device. 
     
     
         19 . A system as described in  claim 14 , wherein the update targeting information comprises an indication that a previous version of a device driver is to be utilized by the computing device instead of a more recent version. 
     
     
         20 . A system as described in  claim 14 , wherein the update service module is further configured to receive an update query from the computing device and form a communication to cause update information associated with the update group to be propagated to the computing device.