Introduction of Windows* DCH Drivers for Intel® Products

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Product Information & Documentation

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07/13/2022

What is changing?

Microsoft is changing the way that hardware drivers work on the Universal Windows Platform (UWP), Windows® 10 (and later), and Microsoft Windows* Server 2019 (and later). Hardware running on these operating systems can use Windows DCH Drivers. Intel will begin distributing Windows DCH Drivers for its products beginning in November 2018.

How do these changes affect driver updates for Intel products?

As of November 2018, driver updates for Intel products on these operating systems will begin transitioning to Windows DCH Drivers. After a driver has been updated to a Windows DCH Driver, it's possible to roll back to a legacy driver; however, rolling back isn't recommended as it involves a complex process that could result in system instability. This system instability is especially pertinent to graphics drivers. You can find more information on this subject.

How do I load Intel® driver updates?

You can load most Intel® driver updates using the Intel® Driver and Support Assistant (Intel® DSA), which will:

  • Detect your machine’s configuration.
  • Identify your current Intel® drivers.
  • Notify you of any drivers that need updating.
  • Give you the opportunity to update those drivers.
Note The Intel® DSA tool doesn't currently work for Windows* Server or Ethernet products. For these customers, and customers who prefer to manually identify and load a specific driver, these customers can use Download Center.

More detailed information on DCH Windows Drivers can be found on the Microsoft site.

Related topics
Intel® Windows DCH Graphics Drivers FAQ