Introduction of Windows Modern Drivers for Intel Products

kemical

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Microsoft is changing the way hardware drivers work on the Windows 10 (1809 and onwards) platform. Hardware running on these operating systems can use Windows Modern Drivers (also known as Universal Windows Drivers - UWDs).
As from November 2018 Intel will roll out drivers using the Windows modern driver platform. More below:

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 Modern Drivers (also known as Universal Windows Drivers - UWDs). Note that Microsoft requires the use of Windows Modern Drivers for Windows® 10 1809 (RS5) and later. Intel will begin distributing Windows Modern Drivers for its products beginning in November 2018.
How do these changes affect driver updates for Intel products?
As of November 2018, any driver updates for Intel products on these operating systems will be the Windows Modern Drivers. After a driver has been updated to a Windows Modern 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 Link Removed on this subject.
How do I load Intel® driver updates?
You can load most Intel® driver updates using the Link Removed, 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 that the IDSA tool doesn't currently work for Windows* Server. For these customers, and customers who prefer to manually identify and load a specific driver, these customers can use Link Removed.
More detailed information on Modern Windows Drivers can be found on the Microsoft site.
 

The transition to Windows Modern Drivers (Universal Windows Drivers) by Intel and other hardware manufacturers is a significant change in how device drivers operate on Windows 10 (1809 and onwards). Here is a breakdown of the key points in this transition: 1. Introduction of Windows Modern Drivers: - Windows Modern Drivers are designed for the Universal Windows Platform (UWP) on Windows 10 and future versions, as well as Windows Server 2019 and later. - Microsoft mandates the use of Windows Modern Drivers for Windows 10 1809 (RS5) and beyond. 2. Intel's Adoption: - Intel will start distributing Windows Modern Drivers for its products starting in November 2018. 3. Driver Updates: - All driver updates for Intel products on Windows 10 (1809 and newer) will be Windows Modern Drivers moving forward. - While it's possible to roll back to a legacy driver after updating to a Windows Modern Driver, Microsoft recommends against this due to potential system instability, especially for graphics drivers. 4. Loading Intel Driver Updates: - Intel's Driver & Support Assistant (IDSA) can help detect your system configuration, identify current Intel drivers, and notify you about any updates. It provides an option to update the drivers. - However, the IDSA tool does not currently support Windows Server. For such cases or for those who prefer manual driver updating, Intel's official website offers a manual driver identification and download option. 5. Resources for More Information: - More detailed information on Windows Modern Drivers can be found on the Microsoft documentation site. This transition marks a shift towards more streamlined and universal drivers for Windows 10 and beyond, aiming to simplify driver management and improve overall system stability and performance.
 

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