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Where is Intel USB 3.0 Extensible Host Controller driver for Microsoft Windows 8?

idata
Employee
54,912 Views

I seached within Intel Support and what I got were Intel USB 3.0 Extensible Host Controller drivers for MICROSOFT WINDOWS 7.

http://downloadcenter.intel.com/SearchResult.aspx?lang=eng&keyword=intel%20usb%203.0%20extensible%20host%20controller http://downloadcenter.intel.com/SearchResult.aspx?lang=eng&keyword=intel%20usb%203.0%20extensible%20host%20controller

Microsoft Windows 8 was released yesterday, October 26 and where is the compatible driver for it?

Could an Intel technical support representative feedback to technical support about this problem?

253 Replies
idata
Employee
8,113 Views

Windows 8 includes a built in usb 3.0 driver, so you won't lose it, but i agree there needs to be official support from intel.

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idata
Employee
8,114 Views

Mish wrote:

Windows 8 includes a built in usb 3.0 driver, so you won't lose it

Well, I don't buy that argument.

If your reasoning were right, then hardware manufacturers need not provide their device drivers to their consumers. The latter just have to ask Microsoft for them.

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idata
Employee
8,114 Views

@bowie - did u actually READ the rest of my sentence?

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idata
Employee
8,114 Views

I agree, there should be support. People are having issues with USB 3 devices not be detected properly in Windows 8. I have a USB 3 hard drive that worked perfectly in Windows 7 but now Windows 8 thinks it is a USB 2.0 device and it is apparent by the speeds I am getting. It works on my Desktop with a totally different USB controller so this seems like an Intel Driver issue. I have also tried other USB 3 devices like my HUB and my flash drive, all the same issue. Kinda sucks!

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idata
Employee
8,114 Views

@ William

Did you flash/update the BIOS of your motherboard to the latest version to rule out the possibility that the BIOS could be the culprit?

I flashed the BIOS of my motherboard to the latest version and I still have issues with USB 3.0 in Windows 8. I deduced the problem is with Intel USB 3.0 Extensible Host Controller.

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idata
Employee
8,114 Views

No BIOS updates for my W110ER. Maybe a BIOS upgrade could fix this but I highly doubt it seeing as though it works flaswlessy in Windows 7. I tried Forcing drivers from a staples laptop that has USB 3.0 on it and the message disappears about it being plugged in at slower speeds but the issues still there.

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idata
Employee
8,114 Views

Hi,

I got a similar problem except that it's with an external mixer that has a soundcard. I use it with Traktor Scratch and the keys and knobs don't respond and the sound completely lags... I have to plug the mixer into my usb 2.0 port to make it work. I haven't tried my USB 3.0 external hard drive yet but I suppose I would have the same problem as you, Bowie.

I hope that there will be a driver release or a fix soon because I can only use 1 out of my 3 usb ports properly right now....

-Joe

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idata
Employee
8,114 Views

The following information may be helpful to Intel technical support:

I ran the Windows 8 Upgrade Assistant which searched and tested my laptop PC's hardware for compatibility issues.

Below is the image of the issues that it found:

Please take note of what the Windows 8 Upgrade Assistant wrote about Intel USB 3.0 extensible Host Controller Driver.

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idata
Employee
8,114 Views

Intel... are you listening? We need the extensbile 3.0 driver!

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idata
Employee
8,114 Views

This is an update to my original post.

I just found out that Intel released an update to Intel USB 3.0 Extensible Host Controller Driver on October 27, 2012.

The URL is http://downloadcenter.intel.com/Detail_Desc.aspx?agr=Y&ProdId=3467&DwnldID=21129&keyword=intel+usb+3+extensible&lang=eng Download Center while an image of the relevant page is given below:

Note that the OS applicable for the update is stated as for Windows 7 versions; Windows 8 is not named.

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idata
Employee
8,114 Views

I downloaded the latest driver released on 10/27 and it fails to install on Windows 8 just as with previous versions.

I downloaded USBview.exe from the MS Windows Driver Development kit and I see that all of the devices appear to be logically connected to what appears to be legacy USB ports while the superspeed ports, in fact all ports on the xHCI Controller, shows empty. Is the assignment of physical connections to logical ports a function of the driver or the rather the bios perhaps? My laptop vendor told me Intel would be releasing Windows 8 drivers soon and to wait patiently but I was of the understanding that it was integrated in Windows 8 unlike Windows 7.

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idata
Employee
8,114 Views

Is the assignment of physical connections to logical ports a function of the driver or the rather the bios perhaps?

Firstly your BIOS should be enabled for USB 3.0 functionality. The BIOS in my Dell Inspiron 7520 allows me to disable it so that the USB 3.0 ports revert to USB 2.0 functionality. This is important for customers who wish to perform a clean install of Windows 7. As you know, Microsoft does not include native USB 3.0 drivers in the installation media of Windows 7. In contrast Windows 8 does have native but generic USB 3.0 so that we can perform a clean install of the latest OS by plugging our USB 3.0 flash/thumb drives into USB 3.0 ports.

As you probably know, upon successful installation of Windows 8, customers will need to install device drivers specific to their machines. The norm is that we obtain them from our PC vendors.

In my case, both Dell (my PC vendor) and Intel have let their customers down by ignoring our request for Windows 8-compatible Intel USB 3.0 Extensible Host Controller driver.

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idata
Employee
8,114 Views

My laptop vendor told me Intel would be releasing Windows 8 drivers soon

The longer the delay for Intel to release Windows 8-compatible "Intel USB 3.0 Extensible Host Controller" driver, the more lost sales will be incurred by Microsoft. If you were the CEO of Microsoft, would you let that happen? What has happened to the WinTel partnership?

I am holding back my purchase of Windows 8 because there is no compatible version of Intel USB 3.0 Extensible Host Controller driver for the latest OS.

and to wait patiently

Have you bought your copy of Windows 8? I hope not. In my opinion there is no need to rush to buy it. I don't wish to buy and install an OS which tells me that it is missing some drivers. I can be patient for the eventual release of the missing driver for Windows 8. But I can't speak for Microsoft, which must be fuming over the fact that Intel has thwarted its plan to boost its sales of Windows 8.

but I was of the understanding that it was integrated in Windows 8 unlike Windows 7.

Some but not all vendors of hardware do provide their specific device drivers to Microsoft whenever the latter plans to roll out a new OS.

But for some strange reason known only to Intel, it did not provide this particular device driver to Microsoft to be included in the installation media.

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idata
Employee
8,114 Views

My laptop vendor told me Intel would be

What is the brand and model of your laptop PC vendor?

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idata
Employee
8,114 Views

Bowie, thank you for your explanation. My laptop is made by Vizio.

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idata
Employee
8,114 Views

I'm on a Sony VAIO S15... I hope Intel will notice as this is an important issue....

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idata
Employee
8,114 Views

I'm on a Sony VAIO S15...

Sony's VAIO is a well-regarded brand. Intel has let Sony VAIO's customers down.....

I hope Intel will notice as this is an important issue....

You think so? Have you noticed the absence of Intel technical support staff on this forum? Intel is busy creating new products to increase its revenue with scant regard for providing technical support to its users.

I say it's time major PC vendors such as Dell and Sony ditched Intel products for more reliable hardware manufacturers.

The RTM (final version) of Microsoft Windows 8 was made available to TechNet, MSDN and Volume Licensing subscribers on August 15, 2012.

From August 15 to October 26, 2012, Intel has had time to test its hardware for Windows 8 compatibility.

As we speak the absence of Intel USB 3.0 Extensible Host Controller driver for Windows 8 at this point in time is a strong indication that Intel doesn't place its customers' interests at the core of its business.

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idata
Employee
8,114 Views

I just installed the latest driver I could find, version 1.0.6.245 thinking it would work. Unfortunately it did not. Upgrade assistant still shows "Not Compatible". So does anyone have working USB 3.0 devices with Windows 8? Before I install it, I need to make sure my USB 3.0 work!

Thanks for any replies.

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HPark17
Beginner
8,114 Views

Count me in too.

Windows 8 has default drivers, but it will only operate as USB 2.0, so please don't say Windows 8 already comes with Intel USB 3.0 drivers. I tested it with several USB 3.0 devices that I have. In the device manager, it shows as "Intel USB 3.0 eXtensible Host Controller - 0100 (Microsoft)", but that's just the name. When I actually copy anything, it's slow as USB 2.0.

All Ivy Bridge powered laptops have the same problem because they use Intel's USB 3.0. We need the drivers!!!

I can't believe manufacturers are selling Windows 8 laptops, and none of them will have a USB 3.0 speed until a proper driver release from intel.

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idata
Employee
7,072 Views

It actually doesn't work on my Sandy Bridge laptop as well. But it too has an Intel USB 3 chipset. so what I said may be irreverent.

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