Intel Windows Modern Drivers for Windows 10 and Windows Server 2019

Martin Brinkmann
Nov 29, 2018
Updated • Nov 29, 2018
Hardware, Windows 10
|
19

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 Irisâ„¢ 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 Irisâ„¢ Pro Graphics 580 (formerly codenamed Skylake)
  • Intel Irisâ„¢ 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)

Summary
Intel Windows Modern Drivers for Windows 10 and Windows Server 2019
Article Name
Intel Windows Modern Drivers for Windows 10 and Windows Server 2019
Description
Intel switched the type of driver package that it provides for Intel hardware running on Windows 10 or Windows Server 2019 in November 2019.
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Ghacks Technology News
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Comments

  1. INTC said on October 20, 2019 at 2:17 pm
    Reply

    https://downloadcenter.intel.com/download/29113/Intel-Graphics-Windows-10-DCH-Drivers

    “Launch driver for:

    Windows® 10 November 2019 Update (Version 1909) RTM”

  2. INTC said on April 19, 2019 at 9:04 am
    Reply

    https://downloadcenter.intel.com/download/28731/Intel-Graphics-Windows-10-DCH-Drivers

    “This launch driver is WDDM 2.6 compliant and ready for the Windows 10 May 2019 update. It introduces support for the new DirectX* 12 Shader Model 6.4 compiler on 7th Generation Intel Core processors or higher (Intel HD Graphics 610 or higher).”

  3. Jan Mahler said on January 28, 2019 at 6:45 pm
    Reply

    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.

    The problem is that “Microsoft Store” is not available on Server 2019!

    So there is no way to get “Intel Graphics Control Panel” on Server 2019!

  4. Eddie said on December 2, 2018 at 12:46 am
    Reply

    I built a server and installed Windows Server 2019 today and I can’t find the drivers for the Intel Ethernet or Wireless Card. Anyone have a link to them? Again, running Windows Server 2019, unable to access internet from machine currently.

  5. Anonymous said on November 30, 2018 at 11:04 pm
    Reply

    According to the Intel Download Center, this driver supports 1709 and later…

  6. Anonymous said on November 30, 2018 at 5:18 am
    Reply

    I still can’t open the “Intel Graphic Control Panel”

  7. Franck said on November 30, 2018 at 12:10 am
    Reply

    Thanks a lot for the information !

  8. Jojo said on November 29, 2018 at 10:18 pm
    Reply

    I use Snappy Driver Install to periodically check my system and tell me which drivers need updating. Have not had any problems with this app (just updated drivers a few days back).

  9. Web Starr said on November 29, 2018 at 7:53 pm
    Reply

    The first page of the “ReleaseNotes_UWD_25.20.100.6444.pdf” states:

    “This Windows Modern driver requires an internet connection for Windows to automatically download the Intel Graphics Control Panel from the Microsoft Store”.

    As one who has long ago removed the Microsoft Store and all apps (modern or otherwise) I fear this cancerous requirement will spread to other video card manufacturers.

    Having installed v1809 on 5 desk tops and 1 tablet without major problems and being a non-gamer I fail to see any value in exposing well running systems to these drivers.

    There are several freely available utilities that prevent driver updates if you feel this a concern.

    1. Kevin said on December 1, 2018 at 1:02 am
      Reply

      Your fears are justified. At one point in time you could install and use display drivers and their accompanying configuration utilities without needing the bloated and insecure turd that is .NET framework installed. But now both NVidia and AMD require .NET, and the latest version, naturally.

      It goes without saying that Microsoft would love more programs to be exclusive to the Windows Store; they’re probably not above paying developers to make it happen.

  10. Anonymous9 said on November 29, 2018 at 7:33 pm
    Reply

    Sorry. I see you’ve already answered my question.

  11. Anonymous9 said on November 29, 2018 at 7:13 pm
    Reply

    Will these drivers solve the Windows 10 1809 update problem (https://www.ghacks.net/2018/11/22/microsoft-blocks-windows-10-version-1809-for-pcs-with-intel-display-drivers/)?
    (Today I’m being offered a “feature update” to version 1803 when Winver shows version 1709! ^%$#&$%^%&^*)

    And — should I just wait around and let the Intel Driver and Support Assistant find them (as of today it reports everything up-to-date), or should I try to download?

  12. Taomyn said on November 29, 2018 at 3:11 pm
    Reply

    Idiots at Intel didn’t mark the driver executable as needing admin rights, so on machine requiring elevation the installer fails miserably – it doesn’t even request the elevation later on. All the other Intel drivers are marked correctly.

    Well QA’d Intel, well QA’d

    1. ULBoom said on November 29, 2018 at 5:23 pm
      Reply

      QA? What’s that? Software’s all about letting your customers do QA. A boss I once had said “Get it out there; customers will tell us if it works! We need speed, we’ll use the software industry model!” Great, except we made surgical devices. Boss went bye bye; dead customers are very expensive.

  13. X said on November 29, 2018 at 1:00 pm
    Reply

    Epic, Intel now recommends the most unstable Windows 10 build to install their drivers.

  14. Xahid said on November 29, 2018 at 1:00 pm
    Reply

    How did you manage to install the drivers?
    I have same chipset Intel HD 530 (i5 6500) But when I try to install the drivers, it says “Not supported”

  15. Anon said on November 29, 2018 at 11:27 am
    Reply

    I wonder why they didn’t name it Windows Modern Drivers = WMD = Weapon of Mass Destruction

    Considering the trouble Intel display drivers have caused it would have been a more descriptive acronym :-D

  16. Sander said on November 29, 2018 at 10:51 am
    Reply

    Switched… in november 2019? That’s a year from now (or a typo).

    1. Martin Brinkmann said on November 29, 2018 at 11:34 am
      Reply

      Thank you, corrected!

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