Latest Realtek HD Audio Driver Version [archive]

Tonyb said:

gosh i just updated last week i think what they heck are they fixing any one have any ideas ?

I wish I knew Tony. The only differences I've noticed over the last few builds are slight sound changes with regard to frequency balance.
They've definitely not published any changelog though. I suspect it could be small tweaks to fix bugs that some users of obscure hardware could be experiencing :)

Quick question: I'm just wondering why the driver zip files on Realtek's FTP site need a username and password to download them. If they're for release to the general public then there should be no need to password access to them.

Edit: I just installed the latest 7738 WHQL from the FTP and it sounds great. No distortion or reverb effects in games, which was an issue I had with an older Realtek audio driver on an older build of 10. Since what I have now sounds good, I probably wont upgrade it again for awhile unless there is a need to do so (or if Windows Update forces it). I've noticed that there can be a big difference in audio quality from one driver to the next.

AnonVendetta said:

Quick question: I'm just wondering why the driver zip files on Realtek's FTP site need a username and password to download them. If they're for release to the general public then there should be no need to password access to them.

Yes I've always wondered that but now I just accept the way it is.
The drivers on the ftp server are many builds ahead of the ones on thir homepge though which only seem to be updated a couple of times a year.

Edit: I just installed the latest 7738 WHQL from the FTP and it sounds great. No distortion or reverb effects in games, which was an issue I had with an older Realtek audio driver on an older build of 10. Since what I have now sounds good, I probably wont upgrade it again for awhile unless there is a need to do so (or if Windows Update forces it). I've noticed that there can be a big difference in audio quality from one driver to the next.

This is what I'm most interested in with the Realtek HD drivers. The sound quality can vary considerably from build to build. Having said that the sound from the last four builds seems pretty consistant with only small variations, which is a good sign. My problem is I'm never 100% happy with them so feel I have to try every new build as it's released. Probably means I should really buy myself a dedicated sound card :)

@ DooGie: If you're going to stick with the Realtek drivers, then I would suggest finding a good, stable build with decent sound quality, then stay with it for as long as possible. Otherwise you'll always be running into issues, since you'll never be completely happy with any driver regardless.

But it would be better to get an audio card that doesn't depend on Realtek's drivers. Realtek is like a crazy, bipolar girlfriend when it comes to drivers (had my fair share of that too, LOL, which is why I've been single for quite awhile).

chad7550662 said:

Realktek site has been down for quite a few days. Not sure what's going on. Good thing I have a copy of the 2.79 driver version.

I wouldn't even bother with the Realtek homepage.
The drivers on there are nowhere near the latest that they have released.

robbie2745 said:

They are probably down because of the earthquake that recently struck there. They are based in Taiwan.

That's a good point robbie. Not really happy times for the country and driver releases are really bottom of the list

Dysonism said:

Hi guys,

This is my first post so I'm really sorry if it's in the wrong place but I've just about given up hope of sorting this out on my own. I've downloaded the .bin file from Windows Update Catalogue and have all of the files out of the .bin, but cannot for the life of me work out how to install the new drivers. I've seen all sorts about manually placing them in the Windows folder and running console commands but from reading some posts here I'm convinced there's something I'm missing.

Again, sorry if this isn't the right place to post but I'm almost at my wits end! Thanks for any help in advance :)

Hi and welcome to forum.
Go to Device manager > Sound Video and Game Controllers > Realtek High definition Audio > Update driver and point it to the folder you opened .BIN to.
For any driver to install in W10 or any other windows there has to be .INF file it reads from and installs driver with it's files and registry settings according to what's in .INF file.
You can view contents of .INF file with a text editor.