Intel USB 3.0 eXtensible Host Controller Driver for Windows

Driver overview

Intel USB 3.0 eXtensible Host Controller Driver (version 5.0.3.42) provides support for USB 3.0 ports on systems using Intel 8/9/100 Series and Intel C220/C610 chipsets. This package is the latest official release for those chipset families and is intended to enable proper USB 3.0 functionality on compatible Windows installations.

Supported operating systems

This driver supports the following Windows editions:

• Windows Small Business Server 2008
• Windows Server 2008 R2
• Windows 7

Confirm that your operating system edition and service pack level match one of the entries above before proceeding.

Choosing the correct package

• Pick the 64-bit installer if your Windows reports a 64-bit architecture; otherwise, choose the 32-bit build.
• Verify the driver version (5.0.3.42) on the download page to ensure you’re getting the current release.
• Download only from Intel’s official download center to reduce the risk of tampered or infected files.

Installation tips and precautions

1. Create a system restore point or backup important data before installing drivers.
2. Uninstall any older or conflicting USB controller drivers if recommended in the device manager or the release notes.
3. Reboot the system after installation to ensure the new driver is fully applied.

Alternative option

If you need legacy support, consider using Intel’s USB 2.0 Host Controller driver for older devices and environments where USB 3.0 functionality is not required. It may be more suitable for some Windows 7 configurations.