Intel graphics drivers now officially support Windows 10 2004

Intel has released updated Windows 10 graphics drivers that are now officially compatible with Windows 10 2004 and add support for new DirectX 12 features.

Later this month, Microsoft is releasing the next Windows 10 feature update known as the May 2020 Update. This update will increase the version of the operating system to Windows 10 2004 and will introduce many new features.

With this release, the operating system will use Windows Display Driver Model 2.7, which includes a variety of new DirectX 12 graphics features.

To prepare for the release of Windows 10 2004, Intel has released Intel Graphics - Windows 10 DCH Drivers  27.20.100.8187, which is WDDM 2.7 compliant and adds support for DirectX 12 Shader Model 6.5.

"This driver is WDDM 2.7 compliant and ready for the Windows 10 May 2020 Update. It introduces support for Dolby Vision and the new DirectX* 12 Shader Model 6.5 compiler on 7th Generation Intel® Core processors or higher (Intel® HD Graphics 610 or higher)."

To be able to use these new features, a computer must be using a 7th generation Intel Core processors or later and Intel HD Graphics 610 and later.

New unlocked driver support

In the past, when users wanted to update their Intel display drivers, they needed to go to their hardware manufacturer and download OEM drivers configured to their specifications.

In most cases, this caused OEM Intel display drivers to be outdated compared to the versions that could be downloaded directly from Intel's site.

Intel's latest drivers, including version 27, are now 'unlocked' so users can freely upgrade their hardware with the generic DCH drivers released more frequently by Intel.

"We heard how much our users want the freedom to upgrade their systems to our regularly released generic graphics drivers and enable our latest game enhancements, feature updates, and fixes. As of this release, Intel Graphics DCH drivers are now unlocked to upgrade freely between Computer Manufacturer (OEM) drivers and the Intel generic graphics drivers on Download Center. Simply use the EXE and enjoy the update on your 6th Generation Intel Processor platform or higher, and don’t worry about your OEM customizations, they remain intact with each upgrade and the OEMs can maintain customizations separately via Microsoft* Windows Update," Intel explains.

To use this feature, users need to be using Windows 10 1709 or later and an Intel Processor generation 6th Gen or later.

Users can then follow these steps to install the generic DCH drivers on their computers:

1. Verify you're on a supported Processor generation (6th Gen+) and OS version (1709|RS3+)
2. Disconnect the internet connection so Windows Update won't automatically reinstall a previous OEM driver.
3. Open Device Manager > Display Adapters > right-click [Intel Graphics] > Uninstall Device
   1. Important: Check-mark "delete the driver software for this device"
4. Click 'Scan for Hardware Changes'
   1. Note: Many older versions can be stored on the system to roll back to
5. If another Intel Graphics is reinstalled, repeat 3 & 4 until Basic Display Adapter is shown, not the Intel driver.
6. Reboot
7. Install this driver
8. Reboot and reconnect internet
9. Verify this driver is installed in Device Manager
10. Run Windows Update in case there are OEM customizations to reinstall

Using this method, Windows 10 users will now be able to update their Intel graphics drivers more frequently while still using OEM customizations for their specific hardware.