Microsoft is working on a fix to address the issue of downgraded GPU drivers in Windows Update, a problem that has plagued users since the launch of Windows 11 in 2021. According to the report, the company plans to release a partial fix by Q4 2026.
The issue occurs when Windows Update automatically downgrades GPU drivers on OEM devices, even if a newer driver is available. This can cause problems for users, particularly those with OEM machines.
Microsoft’s fix will use a new system that incorporates a two-part hardware ID (HWID) in conjunction with computer hardware IDs (CHIDs) to better target driver updates is not relevant here, instead, Microsoft’s fix will use a new system to better target GPU driver updates. This approach will give Windows Update more information on when to expose GPU drivers to Windows 11 machines.
The current system uses a four-part hardware ID as part of a ranking system, which can lead to downgraded drivers being installed. The new system will help to prevent this by considering the GPU driver model specifically.
However, there is a caveat – only device display drivers that target new devices can get the update. Existing drivers in the Windows Update catalog may still get forcibly applied on older systems.
Windows Update has long had a problem with automatically downgrading GPU drivers in certain circumstances. This can be particularly problematic with OEM machines when the OEM has uploaded a GPU driver to the Windows Update catalog.
One example of this issue is the inability to clean install Intel Xe drivers on a Windows 11 laptop, which can trigger Windows Update to install several older Intel graphics driver revisions.
Microsoft’s update won’t fix the issue entirely, but it is at least a start. They have also recently rolled out a Cloud-Initiated Driver Recovery feature, which is separate from this fix.
How the New System Works
The new system uses a two-part HWID and CHID to identify specific PC models or hardware configurations. This will allow Windows Update to better target GPU driver updates and prevent downgraded drivers from being installed.
The HWID is an ID designation designed to identify a specific PC model or hardware configuration. The CHID is used in conjunction with the HWID to provide more information about the device.
By using this two-pronged approach, Windows Update will have more accurate information on when to expose GPU drivers to Windows 11 machines, reducing the likelihood of downgraded drivers being installed.
They plan to start applying this fix to Windows 11 PCs in April 2026, with the update being applied to all users by Q4 2026.
Impact on Users
The fix will be a welcome relief for users who have been experiencing issues with downgraded GPU drivers. However, it’s worth noting that the update won’t fix the issue entirely, and existing drivers in the Windows Update catalog may still get forcibly applied on older systems.
Users with OEM machines may still experience problems with downgraded drivers, particularly if the OEM has uploaded a GPU driver to the Windows Update catalog.
Despite this, Microsoft’s update is a step in the right direction, and the company’s efforts to address the issue are a positive development for users.
According to the report, Microsoft is committed to improving the Windows Update experience and preventing issues like downgraded GPU drivers from occurring in the future.
The company’s plans to release the fix by Q4 2026 will be a welcome development for users who have been waiting for a solution to this problem, similar to waiting for the best security agency to solve a security issue.
Leave a Reply