Intel Officially Supports Windows 11 25H2 with Updated Drivers

Intel is rolling out two new driver updates: Wi-Fi version 23.170.0 and Bluetooth version 23.170.0. While the differences may seem minimal after installing the October 2025 driver updates, Intel has confirmed that these drivers are validated for Windows 11 25H2. If you’re experiencing issues after updating to version 25H2, it’s advisable to install these new drivers.

It’s important to note that Windows 11 25H2 is essentially an extension of version 24H2. When upgrading from 24H2 to 25H2 via Windows Update, users will only download an enablement package (eKB) of less than 200KB, which facilitates the transition without a substantial download. This upgrade elevates the OS build from 26100 to 26200.

Windows 11 25H2 enablement package — Windows 11 25H2 Real Size

Despite the minor nature of the Windows 11 2025 Update, it remains crucial for OEMs like Intel to ensure their drivers are compatible with the latest OS. This is especially necessary for users upgrading from earlier versions of Windows, including Windows 10 and Windows 11 23H2, as updated drivers enhance overall system performance and stability.

According to Intel’s release notes, “Wi-Fi drivers version 23.170.0 have been validated to support Microsoft Windows 11* 25H2.” However, details regarding other changes in the drivers remain somewhat vague.

Enhanced Wi-Fi Detection in Windows 11

With the implementation of Wi-Fi version 23.170.0.1, users may notice improved Wi-Fi detection. Early observations suggest that the connection process is approximately 4-6% faster with Intel adapters compared to prior versions, though specific benchmarks are yet to be documented.

An examination of the previous updates indicates that the August patch included “improvements to Wi-Fi detection, ” although Intel has not disclosed the specifics of these enhancements. Nevertheless, users on compatible hardware might witness a noticeable difference in performance.

Intel also stated in its release notes, “This software version 23.170.0.3 includes feature and security updates. It may address other minor issues influencing performance or stability.” Users are encouraged to update to the latest version for the best experience.

Beyond these changes, no significant updates were observed in Intel’s October driver release.

To download the Wi-Fi version 23.170.0.1 and Bluetooth version 23.170.0.3 drivers, users can visit Intel’s Assistant Tool. This tool will facilitate the update process and replace any OEM-installed drivers.

These driver updates cater specifically to PCs equipped with Wi-Fi 7 modules such as BE202, BE201, and BE200, as well as Wi-Fi 6E AX411, AX211, and AX210. Users with Wi-Fi 6 adapters like AX203, AX201, AX200, and AX101, along with older Wireless-AC (Wi-Fi 5) models like 9560, 9461/9462, and 9260, will also have access to these updates.

Is Intel Still Supporting Windows 10?

In response to inquiries about potential discontinuation of Windows 10 support, Intel has not provided a definitive answer. However, testing confirms that the October 2025 updates for Intel’s GPU, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth drivers are also compatible with Windows 10.

Indeed, these driver updates perform well on Windows 10, maintaining compatibility with the latest features such as Memory Override.

“Shared GPU Memory Override” Now Available for Windows 10

The August 2025 GPU update introduced a feature called “Shared GPU Memory Override, ” which is also functional on Windows 10. This setting allows users to manage how much of their system RAM is assigned to the Arc GPU. By default, RAM allocation is handled automatically based on usage, but users can customize it if needed.

However, it’s important to note that not all PCs will show this option. I have this toggle on my ASUS Copilot+ with the Lunar Lake chip, but it does not appear on my HP Spectre with an 11th-generation processor. According to Intel, the toggle is only available on Core Ultra CPUs, which is part of their strategy to enhance AI workload capacities.

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