Windows 11 will roll out an update to fix a bug in which newer graphics drivers are automatically replaced by older OEM drivers. This issue appears to affect GPUs from major brands, including NVIDIA, AMD, and Intel. Many users report that when they install the latest drivers directly from the manufacturer’s site, Windows Update later undoes the installation and rolls the system back to earlier builds.
This issue has been around for years, but Microsoft recently addressed it. The tech giant has also come up with a long-term fix.
According to Microsoft, “Windows Update currently relies on a broad hardware targeting system based on 4-part Hardware IDs. That system can mistakenly rank older OEM-certified drivers as the best match for a device, even when users have already manually installed newer drivers. As a result, Windows may overwrite updated drivers during automatic updates.”
Reports suggest that the bug can sometimes replace 2026 drivers with versions dating back to 2024 or earlier.’ Users have complained that this causes performance drops, broken GPU software, gaming instability, and missing features.
A Feedback Hub complaint has reportedly received over 20,000 upvotes from impacted people. Reddit threads also continue to highlight the same frustration: Windows Update somehow overrides the manually installed drivers, like it’s determined to be annoying. Some users say they have to ‘reinstall the GPU driver’ again and again, especially after each major update.
Microsoft says the company is working on the targeting system so it uses tighter identifiers. This includes 2-part Hardware IDs and Computer Hardware IDs (CHIDs), so the drivers line up better with a specific setup.
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