Intel Windows Modern Drivers for Windows 10 and Windows Server 2019

0
146

by Martin Brinkmann on November 29, 2018 in Hardware – Last Update: November 29, 2018 – 2 comments

Intel switched the type of driver package that it provides for Intel hardware running on Windows 10 or Windows Server 2019 in November 2018.

The new driver package, called Modern Windows Drivers (MWD), is supported by Windows 10 version 1809 and Windows Server 2019, and later, only.

Intel notes that the following Intel graphics controllers will receive the update to Modern Windows Drivers:

  • Intel UHD Graphics 620/630 (formerly codenamed Coffee Lake)
  • Intel Iris™ Plus Graphics 655 (formerly codenamed Coffee Lake)
  • Intel UHD Graphics 600/605 (formerly codenamed Gemini Lake)
  • Intel HD Graphics 620/630 (formerly codenamed Kaby Lake)
  • Intel Iris® Plus Graphics 640/650 (formerly codenamed Kaby Lake)
  • Intel HD Graphics 610/615 (formerly codenamed Gemini Lake)
  • Intel HD Graphics 500/505 (formerly codenamed Apollo Lake)
  • Intel HD Graphics 510/515/520/530 (formerly codenamed Skylake)
  • Intel Iris™ Pro Graphics 580 (formerly codenamed Skylake)
  • Intel Iris™ Graphics 540 (formerly codenamed Skylake)

The new drivers are available already on Intel’s Download Center website and the company’s Intel Driver & Support Assistant software.

Functionality changes

The change should not affect functionality according to Intel provided that system administrators use the provided .exe installer. Intel notes that failure to do so, e.g. by installing using an .inf file, may ” result in minor to catastrophic issues or system instability”. Downgrading, the process of installing an older driver version, is not recommended either according to Intel as it may also “result in system instability”.

The Windows Modern Driver requires “an Internet connection for Windows to automatically download the Intel Graphics Control Panel from the Microsoft Store” according to the release notes.

Tip: Create a backup of the system before you install the Modern Windows Driver for Intel graphics controllers on machines that support the new type of drivers. If you need to roll back, you may restore the backup that you created to do so. Use a free backup software such as Macrium Reflect, Paragon Backup & Recovery, or Veeam Endpoint Backup.

Windows admins should look at the installed driver version to find out if a Windows Modern Driver or a legacy driver is installed on the system for Intel graphics controllers according to Intel.

intel legacy driver windows 10 windows modern driver intel

Here is how you can do that:

  1. Open the Device Manager on the Windows PC, e.g. by using Windows-X to display the Power Menu and selecting Device Manager or running devmgmt.msc directly.
  2. Expand the Display adapters section in the Device Manager.
  3. Right-click on the listed Intel graphics controller and select Properties from the context menu.
  4. Switch to the Driver tab and note the driver date and version.
    1. If the driver data is not November 2018 or later, a legacy driver is installed.
    2. If the driver version is 25.20.100.6444 or later, a Windows Modern Driver is installed.

Closing Words

Unless you need support for a newly added game, I suggest you wait with the installation of the new driver to find out if the transition is as fluent as Intel says it is or if administrators and users report issues with the driver.

Now You: What is your take on the new format? Do you update drivers regularly? (via Deskmodder)