Microsoft explains why some driver updates are backdated on Windows 11/10.

If you frequently check for updates on Windows 11 or Windows 10, you may have noticed old drivers or even defunct drivers under the Optional Updates section. For the past few years, users have received driver updates listed as “INTEL – System” that date back to 1968 despite being delivered immediately after upgrading to Windows 11.

Most of these drivers (which may be problematic due to their strange specifications) can be found under the Optional Update settings panel in Windows 11 and Windows 10. In a new blog post, Microsoft explains why and how these drivers are backtracking on Windows.

For those who don’t know, there are three main types of driver releases – drivers released by Windows/Microsoft, drivers from companies like Intel and Nvidia, and custom drivers developed by PC manufacturers program.

According to the company, all Windows drivers are dated to June 21, 2006 to reduce compatibility issues.

How drivers on Windows are backdated

Windows Update ranks drivers based on a variety of factors, including date. For example, if a driver available in the Microsoft Driver Library perfectly matches the hardware ID of the device, then it will be the best candidate and the user will be able to download it.

However, if multiple drivers match the hardware ID, the driver with the latest timestamp will be automatically selected. If there is a link between multiple drivers in this situation, Microsoft will look at the highest file version number that matches the build release date.

But there's a catch - when you install a new Windows version, the Windows driver will automatically have a newer timestamp than the one provided by the manufacturer. As a result, your manufacturer drivers will be replaced by Windows drivers, which may break certain functionality on your device.

The Windows driver is apparently outdated to avoid the situation highlighted above.

By backdating Windows drivers, Microsoft allows manufacturer drivers to remain in preference to drivers provided by Windows.

In a separate filing, Microsoft said that Intel drivers date back to 1968 (the year Intel was founded) for the same reason - when manufacturer drivers were available, lower Intel Driver level.

"This is necessary as it is a support utility and should not override any other drivers. There is no need to update the Intel(R) Chipset Device Software - don't worry if you don't have the latest version, ” Intel noted in a now-deleted blog post.

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