Windows Update is getting fixes for unwanted GPU driver rollbacks

Key Points:

• Microsoft is updating Windows Update to use narrower GPU driver targeting by employing 2-part Hardware IDs combined with Computer Hardware IDs (CHIDs) to reduce the replacement of newer user-installed GPU drivers with older OEM-approved versions.
• This change aims to provide more specific driver delivery tailored to individual PC models and hardware configurations, addressing issues where broad 4-part Hardware IDs caused Windows Update to select outdated drivers.
• The new targeting policy applies to new display driver submissions for new devices and will be piloted from April to September 2026, with broader enforcement planned between Q4 2026 and Q1 2027, meaning improvements will be gradual.
• Microsoft is also introducing Cloud-Initiated Driver Recovery, a feature that automatically rolls back problematic drivers installed via Windows Update to previously working versions without manual user intervention, with rollout starting gradually in September.
• Both the narrower driver targeting and the cloud recovery system are separate but complementary efforts to improve Windows Update’s GPU driver delivery and recovery processes.