Google DPInst.exe...
We use the XP version of the tool with the XP packs... (The Stand Alone Drivers feature of BASE [SAD])
DPInst is what is refered to as a Software First Installer. (See you are not the only lunatic... LOL.) (I almost named the SAD platform "SoFI")
I was lead bench tech in the most respected shop in my area for many years myself back in the 90's... I understand all too well what you mean.
Most people want to upgrade drivers just for bragging rights... not to fix anything... They just wish to say they have the NEWEST one... they rarely even know what changed between the versions (i ask them every time an no one has ever known the answer... they reply IDK it is newer so I want it... then i ask were you haveing an issue with the old one... to which they reply "NO"... then i get to have my fun... by quoting an old saying... "IF it ain't broke, don't fix it!" Things get to become old sayings over time bbecause they contain wisdom . Never update a driver or a BIOS just because there is an update... Only update to cure an issue (an issue that you are personaly experiencing). Otherwise you are likely to take something that was working perfectly and make it a mire...
I belive you can Implement the Vista DriverPacks with the DPInst tool for Vista... this has not been done yet to our knowledge.
However it is a good feature and one we do support with NT5.x OS's
Since dpinst tool has proven valuable for NT5 i assume it will also be on NT6...
Perhaps we can help each other... the result might be SAD for NT6 for all of our users!
All things do have a proper place... in your situation a SoFI does seem to be an appropriate application. you may in many cases have no choice but to repair the OS (because the customer can't find thier software install media or keys for example) where as most of us who deal with corporate enviroment desktops can simply re-image and being a tech you are prepared to test for and eliminate issues that may arise as a result of updating drivers.