Notebookcheck Logo

Intel to change the way integrated graphics drivers can be updated in Windows

Intel is to roll out a new system to update integrated graphics drivers. (Source: LaptopMedia)
Intel is to roll out a new system to update integrated graphics drivers. (Source: LaptopMedia)
Intel has announced that it will introduce a new medium called Universal Windows Drivers (UWD) to update the integrated graphics the company supplies to current Microsoft OS-running hardware. The institution of UWD will mean that all other methods to install updates for these graphics drivers may become invalid.
Desktop Laptop Coffee Lake Kaby Lake Tablet Ultrabook Whiskey Lake Windows Workstation

Intel's integrated graphics are found in countless numbers of PCs these days. These components are often in line for updated drivers that may keep them working in systems running updated OSs over time. Intel has announced the planned implementation of a new, unified system by which these updates are delivered to devices running Windows 10.

This new source of iGPU driver updates is called Universal Windows Drivers (UWD). It was developed in collaboration with Microsoft and may be the only official source of such installations in the future. UWD may also incorporate the updates for all the other drivers relevant to a system, in such a way that a developer may have access to a singular packet containing all these files.

UWD may also negate other methods of integrated driver modification, such as installing via ZIP file, .inf files, original disks or other similar current options. Intel is also now advising against the download of driver installs via Windows Update files relevant to build 1809. Finally, UWD may mean that users will have no choice but to be online in order to install driver updates.

Source(s)

Related Articles

The Intel Prometheus concept graphics card. (Image source: LegitReviews)
Intel shows off some amazing concept graphics cards that might be on store shelves by 2035 05/30/2019
Shadow of the Tomb Raider just received an RTX-related update. (Source: Nvidia)
Nvidia GeForce Game Ready driver 419.67 WHQL delivers Battlefield V: Firestorm optimizations 03/26/2019
Destiny 2 seems to be the most commonly affected game. (Source: Polygon)
Windows 10 update KB4482887 causing issues with graphics and mouse performance in certain games 03/11/2019
Windows 10 will get some new features including reserved storage and you might hate it
The next Windows 10 version will feature "reserved storage" and you might not like it 01/08/2019
Intel has announced new F and KF series of 9th gen CPUs. (Source: Intel)
Intel announces six new 9th Generation desktop CPUs, five of them without integrated graphics 01/08/2019
Image via WCCFtech
Intel's new Coffee Lake Refresh CPUs (i9-9900KF, i7-9700KF, i5-9600KF, i5-9400F) briefly listed on major retailers' sites 12/30/2018
Shruggies should be a native hotkey option in Windows 10 soon. (Source: TNW)
Windows 10 19H1 adds kaomoji support to hotkeys 12/20/2018
Windows 10 19H1 will feature offer a native Sandbox. (Source: Microsoft)
Windows Sandbox will enable safe isolation and testing of suspicious programs in Windows 10 19H1 12/19/2018
This Settings option is a recent addition to Windows 10, and may be on by default. (Source: Windows)
Windows 10 may track your app-using history even if you've deactivated it 12/16/2018
Intel's 'Foveros' is a 3D packaging technique that combines chiplets into a much more denser package than EMIB. (Source: Intel)
Intel talks about upcoming 10nm 'Sunny Cove' microarchitecture and 3D-stacked 'Foveros' chips 12/14/2018
The more affordable Frost Canyon X NUCs are scheduled for a Q3 2019 release, while the premium Ghost Canyon X models will not be available before the start of 2020. (Source: Intel)
Intel hints at Ghost Canyon X NUCs with 8-core i9 H-series CPUs 12/07/2018
Xeon Phi, based on the Larrabee project, was the most recent attempt by Intel to get into the discrete GPU market; while it made it to market, it made little impact. (Source: PCWorld)
Intel to hold conference about its upcoming GPU "Arctic Sound" 11/29/2018
This latest leak from HKEPC shows that Rome may have a truly worthy competitor, if these scores are to be believed. (Source: HKEPC)
Update | Alleged Intel Xeon "Cascade Lake" Cinebench scores leak 11/26/2018
The Lenovo IdeaPad S530-13IWL pictured here could be the first laptop to support new 9th gen mobile CPUs. (Source: Lenovo)
Lenovo datasheet confirms existence of new Intel 9000 series mobile CPUs 11/26/2018
Intel's Core i9-9900K is currently the top-tier consumer CPU, but it may be supplanted with a 10-core Comet Lake-S CPU. (Image: Amazon)
Intel may be working on a 10-core Comet Lake-S desktop CPU 11/26/2018
Image via Wccftech (w/ edits)
Beleaguered Windows 10 1809 update breaks audio playback for some Intel display drivers 11/23/2018
Select Intel and AMD CPUs are getting some sweet discounts for Black Friday and Cyber Monday. (Source: Technology X)
Select Intel and AMD CPUs get huge discounts for Black Friday and Cyber Monday 11/23/2018
It's unclear if these prices will continue to remain at MSRP levels, as the shortages are expected to last until Q2 2019. (Source: Intel)
Intel CPU prices down to MSRP thanks to Black Friday deals 11/20/2018
Laptop shipments are down this year so far, and may drop further in Q4. (Source: ComputerDoc)
Global laptop market growth stunted by Intel chip shortage in 2018, according to latest figures 11/20/2018
Read all 1 comments / answer
static version load dynamic
Loading Comments
Comment on this article
Please share our article, every link counts!
> Expert Reviews and News on Laptops, Smartphones and Tech Innovations > News > News Archive > Newsarchive 2018 11 > Intel to change the way integrated graphics drivers can be updated in Windows
Deirdre O Donnell, 2018-11-30 (Update: 2018-11-30)