Intel Chipset 10.1.1.42?

Kol12 · 26 Mar 2017

I noticed that Intel has an updated chipset driver 10.1.1.42. It's newer than one currently installed from Asus mobo page but Asus doesn't offer this update. Do I install it?

ArazelEternal · 27 Mar 2017

Generally it wont cause an issue, however sometimes chipsets and other hardware will be manufactuered to the OEMs specs which will make them different. That is often why an OEM will provide specific drivers for the hardware. I say its up to you, but before you do it create a system restore point in case issues ensue.

Kol12 · 27 Mar 2017

Do you think the driver would be available at the Asus mobo download page (this case Z97-A) if they thought it was necessary? Some of the Z270 chipset motherboards at the Asus website have the 10.1.1.38 driver as their chipset download which is still not the latest. Is it possible Asus haven't updated their pages yet? Kinda confused.

The reason I found out about the driver was through a program I just downloaded called Windows Update MiniTool. It shows some drivers that appear to be available to download. Strangely Windows Update does not present these drivers to me.

Here is screenshot of Windows Update MiniTool with the available chipset drivers:

TairikuOkami · 27 Mar 2017

Motherboard manufactures do not bother updating drivers, because they would have to test them first.

Kol12 · 27 Mar 2017

TairikuOkami said:

Motherboard manufactures do not bother updating drivers, because they would have to test them first.

That sounds reassuring, I think I'll go ahead and install. Any idea why this Windows Update MiniTool has picked up these drivers but Microsoft Windows Update hasn't?

swarfega · 27 Mar 2017

I sometimes install from the Asus page, not had any problems.

I wouldn't rely on the drivers from Windows Update because often they are cut down versions of the full driver.

TairikuOkami · 27 Mar 2017

Kol12 said:

Any idea why this Windows Update MiniTool has picked up these drivers but Microsoft Windows Update hasn't?

I guess, because it uses Microsoft Update server instead of Windows Update by default.

Kol12 · 27 Mar 2017

swarfega said:

I sometimes install from the Asus page, not had any problems.

I wouldn't rely on the drivers from Windows Update because often they are cut down versions of the full driver.

It's been a long time since I've seen Windows Update offer any chipset drivers, maybe at initial setup of an OS but after that...

Kol12 · 27 Mar 2017

TairikuOkami said:

I guess, because it uses Microsoft Update server instead of Windows Update by default.

That could be right. Maybe the manufacturers aren't updating their drivers as soon as the official ones. Do manufacturer drivers really differ that much? Intel chipset's wouldn't be tailored in any way would they? I know that Realtek drivers can be mobo specific.

TairikuOkami · 27 Mar 2017

Kol12 said:

Do manufacturer drivers really differ that much?

That applies to differences between various motherboards, mostly dual GPU related (AMD+Intel, etc).
Chipset drivers should be the same, it is not like peripherals can vary, it supports the same on all.
If you check the digital signature, you can see, who made them, most likely Asus only reposted them.
This particular driver contains Asus setup, but it only launches Intel setup, so there is nothing custom.