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 makes available generic versions of the Intel graphics drivers, but recommends that you use drivers provided by your computer manufacturer. Your computer manufacturer may provide customized versions of the Intel graphics drivers for your particular computer model.
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 verify if you have an Intel graphics controller, see Identifying your Intel graphics controller.
If you do have an Intel graphics controller, you can use an Intel graphics driver that is appropriate for your specific graphics controller and operating system.
Related Topics:
Do I need to update or install a new version of the graphics driver?
How do I get the latest graphics driver?
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What is my graphics driver version?
See How do I identify my graphics driver version?
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?
Follow these steps to check if you are using the latest driver:
- Identify your Intel graphics controller
- Identify your computer’s graphics driver version
- Identify your driver's build number. The build number is the last 4 numbers of your driver version.
- Use the Intel Graphics Driver Version Chart to compare your build number with the chart's build number of the latest driver for your graphics controller and OS. The latest build numbers are listed towards the top of this chart.
Note: Currently, build numbers for Microsoft Windows Vista* drivers are 1xxx; build numbers for Microsoft Windows* XP drivers are 4xxx.
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Do I need to update or install a new version of the graphics driver?
If you are not experiencing a graphics-related problem with your computer, updating or installing a new version of the Intel graphics driver is not necessary.
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 OS to be related to the graphics driver, etc.)
- Instructed by your computer manufacturer
- Instructed by an Intel Customer Support agent.
Related Topics:
Game Troubleshooting Guide
Solutions To Graphics Errors Reported By Microsoft Online CrashAnalysis*
How do I know if a new graphics driver is available?
First, identify which Intel graphics controller you are using. Next, use one of the following ways to check whether a new generic version of the Intel graphics driver is available for your graphics controller:
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How do I get the latest graphics driver?
See How do I get the latest Intel graphics driver?
Note: If you are using a Linux* operating system, see Availability of Intel® Graphics Drivers for Linux* OS.
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: "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 have problems?
Visit the support web site for your particular graphics controller or chipset to find information about top questions and issues. For a list of support Web sites for the graphics controllers, visit the main Intel graphics support Web site.
Note: If you do not know what controller you have, see Identifying your Intel® graphics controller.
If you do not see your question or issue listed on your graphics controller's support web site, use the 'Search Support & Downloads' box located on the left side of the web site to see if a solution or work-around is available. For help on using this box, see Search Tips.
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 no longer provides interactive support for older graphics products.
This applies to:
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To use the Intel Download Center, see 