Surface Book, Surface Pro 4, and Surface 3 Receive Monthly Firmware Update

Microsoft has focused on improving battery life for the Surface Book and Surface Pro 4 with its latest monthly firmware update. The Surface 3 gets more general performance improvements for Windows 10 and Windows 8.1.

By Luke Jones

October 6, 2016 2:58 pm CEST

Microsoft has rolled out its monthly firmware updates for Surface devices. Owners of the Surface Book, Surface Pro 4, and Surface 3 should be seeing an update prompt anytime now. The release focuses on battery improvements for Microsoft’s flagship hardware, while the Surface 3 gets more general stability enhancements.

Needless to say, the Surface Book and Surface Pro 4 are stellar devices, among the best in their categories. However, battery life has never been strong point for any of the Surface range. The September firmware update looks to resolve that.

The company says Surface Integration driver updates help improve battery life. One of the updates optimizes screen brightness when a device is awoken from sleep. The changelog also shows several updates for power management drivers.

Intel(R) Precise Touch Device (v1.1.0.246) improves touch stability when the device resumes operation from sleep or hibernation.
Surface Integration (v1.0.97.0) optimizes screen brightness when the device resumes operation from sleep or hibernation.
Surface Integration Service Device (v1.0.115.0) ensures the default Balanced power plan is set correctly when the operating system is updated.
Surface Pen Pairing (v1.0.56.0) improves pen pairing with the device.
Surface Management Engine (v11.0.15.1003) improves stability and performance when you change between power states.
Surface UEFI (v106.1281.768.0) improves stability and performance when you change between power states.
Surface Integration (v1.0.103.0) improves the device usability and battery life.
Surface Integration Service Device (v1.0.146.0) makes sure the default Balanced power plan is set correctly when the operating system is updated.

Surface 3

Microsoft will stop production of the Surface 3 at the end of this year.

However, the company will continue support through firmware updates and more substantial upgrades for Windows. The latest release updates drivers for Windows 10 and Windows 8.1 on the tablet. The enhancements should make general performance better on those platforms.

Windows 10