Graphics
Graphics
Intel® graphics driver frequently asked questions


What is the Intel graphics driver?
A driver is software written for a specific operating system (OS). It is used by the OS to communicate with a specific hardware device. Intel develops graphics drivers for various Microsoft* Windows* OS versions. These Intel graphics drivers allow Windows to communicate with specific Intel graphics controller devices.

Intel has generic versions of the Intel graphics drivers available, but recommends using drivers provided by your computer manufacturer. Your computer manufacturer may offer customized versions of the Intel graphics drivers for your particular computer model.


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Can I use the Intel graphics driver?
Intel graphics drivers support specific Intel graphics controllers. Your computer may or may not be using an Intel graphics controller. To check whether your computer is using an Intel graphics controller, use the Intel® Driver Update Utility .

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What is my graphics driver version?
See How do I identify my graphics driver version?


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What do the numbers in my graphics driver version mean?
See Understanding the Intel graphics driver version numbering.


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Do I have the latest Intel graphics driver?
To check whether your computer is using the latest driver, use the Intel® Driver Update Utility . This online utility will detect your computer's graphics controller product, identifies the current installed driver version, and advises if a newer driver is available for download.

Note If the utility detects a customized computer manufacturer graphics driver, click here for additional information.


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Do I need to update or install a new version of the graphics driver?
Updating or installing a new graphics driver version is not necessary if you are not experiencing a graphics-related problem with your computer.

You may need to update your graphics driver for various reasons:

  • To resolve graphics-related problems (for example, visual corruption when playing a new game, an error reported by Windows* operating system to be related to the graphics driver, etc.)

  • Recommended by your computer manufacturer

  • Advised by an Intel Customer Support agent.

Related Topics:
Game Troubleshooting Guide
Solutions To Graphics Errors Reported By Microsoft Online Crash Analysis*

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How do I know if a new graphics driver is available?
Use one of the following methods:

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How do I get the latest graphics driver?
To get the latest graphics driver, use the Intel® Driver Update Utility . This online utility detects your computer's graphics controller product, identifies the current installed driver version, and advises if a newer driver is available for download. If this utility detects a customized computer manufacturer graphics driver, click here for additional information.

Note If you are using a Linux* operating system, see Availability of Intel Graphics Drivers for Linux* OS.

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How do I install the graphics driver?
If you downloaded the EXE version of the Intel graphics driver, double-click on the EXE file to start the driver installation.

If you downloaded the ZIP version, extract the ZIP file and then double-click the SETUP.EXE file to start the driver installation. An alternate installation method is to follow the instructions in the driver's Read Me text file to perform a manual "Have-Disk" installation.

Note If you receive an error message that states: "The driver being installed is not validated for this computer..." or a similar error, see the Error solution document.


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What do I do if I have the latest driver but still see the problem?
Visit the support web site for your computer's graphics controller or graphics product to find information about top questions and issues. For a list of support Web sites for Intel graphics controllers, visit the main Intel graphics support Web site.

The next step in finding a solution or work-around for your question or issue is to select the 'Search Support & Downloads' box located on the left side of the web site.

If you still cannot find a solution or work-around to the problem, contact Intel, your computer manufacturer, the game or application vendor, and/or place of purchase for assistance.

Note Intel Technical Support agents provide interactive support only for the latest generations of graphics products. Agent support is not available for some older graphics products.

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This applies to:
Intel® 3 Series Chipsets
Intel® 4 Series Chipset
Intel® 82915G/82910GL Express Chipset Family
Intel® 82945G Express Chipset
Intel® 82946GZ Graphics Controller
Intel® 82G965 Graphics and Memory Controller Hub (GMCH)
Intel® 82Q963 Graphics and Memory Controller Hub (GMCH)
Intel® 82Q965 Graphics and Memory Controller Hub (GMCH)
Intel® 910 Express Chipset Family
Intel® 915 Express Chipset Family
Intel® 945 Express Chipset Family
Intel® 946 Express Chipset Family
Intel® 965 Express Chipset Family
Intel® B43 Express Chipset
Intel® G31 Express Chipset
Intel® G33 Express Chipset
Intel® G35 Express Chipset
Intel® G41 Express Chipset
Intel® G43 Express Chipset
Intel® G45 Express Chipset
Intel® HD Graphics
Intel® Q33 Express Chipset
Intel® Q35 Express Chipset
Intel® Q43 Express Chipset
Intel® Q45 Express Chipset
Mobile Intel® 4 Series Express Chipset Family
Mobile Intel® 910GML Express Chipset
Mobile Intel® 915 Express Chipset Family
Mobile Intel® 915GM/GMS, 910GML Express Chipset Family
Mobile Intel® 945 Express Chipset Family
Mobile Intel® 945GM Express Chipset Family
Mobile Intel® 965 Express Chipset Family

Solution ID: CS-028686
Date Created: 30-Dec-2007
Last Modified: 27-Jun-2010
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