Intel Windows Modern Drivers for Windows 10 and Windows Server 2019
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.
Here is how you can do that:
- 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.
- Expand the Display adapters section in the Device Manager.
- Right-click on the listed Intel graphics controller and select Properties from the context menu.
- Switch to the Driver tab and note the driver date and version.
- If the driver data is not November 2018 or later, a legacy driver is installed.
- 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)
https://downloadcenter.intel.com/download/29113/Intel-Graphics-Windows-10-DCH-Drivers
“Launch driver for:
Windows® 10 November 2019 Update (Version 1909) RTM”
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).”
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!
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.
According to the Intel Download Center, this driver supports 1709 and later…
I still can’t open the “Intel Graphic Control Panel”
Thanks a lot for the information !
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).
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.
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.
Sorry. I see you’ve already answered my question.
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?
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
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.
Epic, Intel now recommends the most unstable Windows 10 build to install their drivers.
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”
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
Switched… in november 2019? That’s a year from now (or a typo).
Thank you, corrected!