Microsoft to deploy automatic driver recovery via Windows Update
The tech giant announced the new system and the Driver Quality Initiative at WinHEC 2026, with a gradual rollout scheduled for September.
Microsoft is introducing Cloud-Initiated Driver Recovery (CIDR) for Windows Update, a mechanism designed to automatically roll back faulty drivers detected during the company’s shiproom evaluation process. The system operates without requiring user intervention, allowing Microsoft to trigger recovery actions directly from the Hardware Dev Center. This approach aims to revert problematic drivers to a previously known-good version via the Windows Update pipeline.
The move addresses persistent issues where faulty drivers installed through Windows Update previously required action from hardware partners or end users. Microsoft stated that partners are not required to take any action for driver recovery, as the company will handle the process end-to-end. This development follows years of driver update issues for hardware such as GPUs, with the NVIDIA Nvlddmkm.sys error cited as a prominent example of such instability.
The CIDR feature is scheduled for a gradual rollout starting in September. While the system is expected to help resolve driver-related issues to a certain extent, the exact timeline for the rollout beyond the initial start date and the specific scope of hardware or driver types affected have not been detailed.
Concurrently, Microsoft announced the Driver Quality Initiative (DQI) at the Windows Hardware Engineering Conference (WinHEC 2026). The initiative focuses on improving kernel mode driver security, reliability, and resiliency. Microsoft noted it is heavily investing in hardening kernel mode drivers and is introducing stronger partner verification for trusted drivers, improved lifecycle management, and expanded quality measures.
In addition to the technical fixes, Microsoft is introducing new user controls for Windows 11. These updates will allow users to pause or skip updates and shutdown or restart their PCs without being forced to install them. The changes come as Windows 11 users have expressed dissatisfaction with current update issues, prompting the company to take steps to prevent driver problems before they occur.
