How do I fix error 0x80070103 on Windows Update?

Error 0x80070103 means Windows is trying to install a driver that's already present on your system. The quickest fix is to download Microsoft's 'Show or Hide Updates' troubleshooter (wushowhide.diagcab), run it, select 'Hide updates', and tick the box next to the problematic Intel graphics driver. Alternatively, disable automatic driver updates in Device Installation Settings and manage drivers manually from Intel's website. For persistent issues, use Display Driver Uninstaller (DDU) in Safe Mode to remove all Intel drivers, then manually install the latest version from Intel's Download Centre.

Why does Windows keep trying to install an Intel driver that's already installed?

Windows Update often misidentifies driver versions due to naming differences between OEM drivers and Microsoft Update Catalogue entries. Your PC manufacturer (Dell, HP, Lenovo) may have installed an Intel driver with custom version numbering. Windows sees what it thinks is a newer driver in its catalogue, but it's actually the same version or even older. The system can't tell the difference, so it repeatedly attempts installation. This is particularly common with Intel graphics drivers where multiple sources (manufacturer, Intel direct, Microsoft) use different version schemes.

Does error 0x80070103 affect my graphics performance?

No, error 0x80070103 has no impact on your graphics performance. The error simply indicates that Windows Update is attempting to install a driver that's already present or equivalent to your current version. Your Intel graphics are working normally. The only real issue is the persistent update notification and the possibility that it might block other updates from installing. It's an annoyance rather than a functional problem, but it's worth fixing to keep Windows Update running smoothly.

What is DDU and when should I use it for Intel graphics drivers?

Display Driver Uninstaller (DDU) is a tool that completely removes all traces of graphics drivers from your system, including registry entries and leftover files that normal uninstallers miss. Use DDU for Intel graphics drivers when simpler solutions (hiding updates, disabling automatic updates) don't resolve error 0x80070103. It's particularly effective when you have conflicting driver versions from multiple sources. DDU must be run in Safe Mode to work properly. After DDU removes all Intel drivers, you manually install the latest version from Intel's website for a completely clean installation. Success rate is around 90% for persistent driver errors.

Intel Graphics Driver Error 0x80070103? Fix It Now

Q: Should I disable automatic driver updates in Windows?

Disabling automatic driver updates is a good solution if you're experiencing repeated driver conflicts like error 0x80070103. The trade-off is that you'll need to manually check for driver updates from Intel's website or your PC manufacturer's support page every few months. Critical security updates for drivers will still install automatically, but feature updates won't. If you're comfortable managing drivers yourself and want to avoid Windows Update installing incompatible versions, disabling automatic updates is sensible. Set a calendar reminder to check for updates quarterly.

You’ve probably seen this one before. Windows Update insists on installing an Intel graphics driver that’s already sitting on your system. The error code 0x80070103 pops up, the update fails, and next time you check for updates, there it is again. Like a bad penny.

Here’s the thing: this isn’t actually breaking anything. Your graphics are working fine. But that persistent notification is annoying, and sometimes it blocks other updates from installing. So let’s sort it.

⏱️ 11 min read
✅ 85% success rate
📅 Updated February 2026

Key Takeaways

Error 0x80070103 means Windows is attempting to install an Intel graphics driver that’s already installed or equivalent to your current version
The quickest solution is hiding the problematic update using Microsoft’s Show or Hide Updates tool
Disabling automatic driver updates prevents this issue from recurring
For persistent problems, a clean driver removal with DDU followed by manual installation resolves the conflict
This error doesn’t affect your graphics performance, it’s purely a Windows Update catalogue mismatch

What Causes Intel Graphics Driver Error 0x80070103?

Most of the time, this error happens because of a version name mismatch. Your PC manufacturer (Dell, HP, Lenovo, whoever) installed an Intel driver with their own version numbering. Then Microsoft’s Update Catalogue lists what it thinks is a newer driver, but it’s actually the same version or even older. Windows can’t tell the difference, so it keeps trying to install it.

Sometimes you’ve got multiple driver versions floating around from different sources. Maybe you downloaded one directly from Intel’s site, your manufacturer pushed an update, and now Windows Update wants to add another to the pile. The system gets confused about which version is actually current.

Less commonly, it’s corrupted Windows Update cache files causing the problem. The SoftwareDistribution folder can get dodgy data that makes Windows incorrectly assess what’s installed. I’ve seen this maybe 15% of the time.

According to Microsoft’s official driver update documentation, error 0x80070103 specifically indicates that “the best driver software for your device is already installed.” The problem is that Windows doesn’t always know what’s best.

Intel Graphics Driver Error 0x80070103 Quick Fix

Hide the Update with Microsoft’s Troubleshooter Easy

Success Rate: 70% | Time: 5-10 minutes

This is the fastest way to stop Windows from repeatedly trying to install the Intel graphics driver. You’re essentially telling Windows Update to ignore this specific update permanently.

Download the Microsoft troubleshooter
Head to the Microsoft Update Catalogue and search for “wushowhide.diagcab” or grab it directly from Microsoft’s support site. Save it to your Downloads folder. The file is tiny, about 50KB.
Run the troubleshooter
Double-click the wushowhide.diagcab file. You’ll see a troubleshooting window pop up. Click “Next” and wait whilst it detects what updates are available. This takes about 30 seconds.
Hide the problematic driver
When the options appear, select “Hide updates”. You’ll see a list of available updates. Find the Intel graphics driver that’s been causing the error (it’ll have “Intel” and a version number in the name). Tick the box next to it and click “Next”.
Verify it’s gone
Open Settings, go to Windows Update, and click “Check for updates”. The Intel graphics driver error 0x80070103 should no longer appear in your update list. If it does, wait a few minutes and check again.

The update is now hidden. Windows won’t try to install it again unless you manually unhide it.

Important: Hiding updates means you’ll need to manually check Intel’s website for genuine driver updates in future. Windows won’t automatically install them for you. If you later want to unhide this update, run the tool again and select “Show hidden updates”.

Advanced Intel Graphics Driver Error 0x80070103 Fixes

Clean Driver Removal with DDU Advanced

Success Rate: 90% | Time: 30-45 minutes

When the Intel graphics driver error 0x80070103 won’t budge with simpler methods, it’s time for the nuclear option. Display Driver Uninstaller (DDU) strips out every trace of Intel graphics drivers, then you install fresh from Intel’s website. I use this method about once a week with remote support clients, and it works.

Create a System Restore point
Search for “Create a restore point” in the Start menu. In the System Protection tab, click “Create”. Name it something like “Before DDU Intel Fix” and click “Create” again. Wait for the confirmation message. This is your safety net if something goes wrong.
Download what you need
Get Display Driver Uninstaller from guru3d.com and extract it to a folder on your desktop. Then grab the latest Intel graphics driver from Intel’s Download Centre. Make sure you download the driver installer BEFORE you proceed. You’ll need it after DDU does its work.
Boot into Safe Mode
Click Start, then the Power icon. Hold down Shift on your keyboard and click “Restart”. Keep holding Shift until you see the recovery options screen. Select Troubleshoot, then Advanced options, then Startup Settings, then Restart. When the numbered list appears, press F4 to boot into Safe Mode. Your screen resolution will look rubbish. That’s normal.
Run DDU
Navigate to where you extracted DDU and run DDU.exe. When it opens, select “GPU” from the device type dropdown on the right. Then select “Intel” from the manufacturer dropdown. Click the big “Clean and restart” button. DDU will remove every Intel graphics driver component and automatically restart your PC. The screen might go black for a bit. Don’t panic.
Install the Intel driver manually
After your PC restarts (it’ll boot normally this time), find the Intel driver installer you downloaded earlier. Right-click it and select “Run as administrator”. Follow the installation wizard, accepting all the default options. When it asks you to restart, do it.
Verify everything works
After the final restart, press Win + X and select “Device Manager”. Expand “Display adapters” and check that your Intel graphics device shows up with no yellow warning triangles. Then open Settings, go to Windows Update, and check for updates. The Intel graphics driver error 0x80070103 should be gone.

You now have a completely fresh Intel graphics driver installation with no conflicting versions or corrupted files.

Critical warnings: Your screen will look terrible after DDU removes the drivers. Low resolution, maybe even black for a few seconds. This is expected. The display will return to normal after you install the Intel driver. Do NOT interrupt the DDU process or the driver installation. Let each step complete fully. If your system becomes unstable, use the System Restore point you created in step 1. Some laptop manufacturers (Dell, HP, Lenovo) provide modified Intel drivers on their support sites. If the generic Intel driver causes issues, grab the OEM version instead.

Still getting the error? If the Intel graphics driver error 0x80070103 persists even after DDU, you might have corrupted system files. Open Command Prompt as administrator and run sfc /scannow. Let it complete (takes 10-20 minutes). Then run DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth. This repairs the Windows image. Restart and check Windows Update again.

🛠️

Still Stuck? Let Us Fix It Remotely

If the Intel graphics driver error 0x80070103 keeps appearing no matter what you try, there might be deeper Windows Update corruption or registry issues that need proper diagnosis. I’ve fixed hundreds of these remotely, and sometimes it’s a combination of problems that need addressing in a specific order.

Screen-share with a certified UK technicianMost issues resolved in under 30 minutesNo fix, no fee guaranteeFrom just £40

Book Remote Support

Preventing Intel Graphics Driver Error 0x80070103

Once you’ve sorted the immediate problem, you’ll want to stop it happening again. The most effective prevention is taking control of driver updates yourself.

Disable automatic driver updates using the Device Installation Settings method I showed you earlier. Then make it a habit to check Intel’s Download Centre every couple of months for new graphics drivers. Install them manually before Windows Update gets a chance to interfere. This way, you’re always running the latest official Intel driver, not whatever Microsoft thinks you should have.

If you prefer to let Windows handle some updates automatically, at least use the “View optional updates” section in Windows Update settings. This lets you see driver updates before they install and choose which ones you actually want. The Intel graphics driver usually appears there first before becoming a forced update.

Run System File Checker monthly as preventive maintenance. Open Command Prompt as administrator and type sfc /scannow. It takes 15 minutes and catches corrupted files before they cause problems like the Intel graphics driver error 0x80070103. Follow it up with DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth every few months.

Create System Restore points before major Windows updates. If a driver conflict appears after an update, you can roll back quickly without losing your files. I’ve seen clients waste hours troubleshooting when a simple restore would’ve fixed everything in 10 minutes.

Keep a text file with your current driver versions. Open Device Manager, expand Display adapters, right-click your Intel graphics, select Properties, and check the Driver tab. Note down the version number and date. When Windows Update offers a driver, compare the version numbers. If what you’ve got is newer or the same, hide the update straightaway.

Avoid third-party driver update utilities. They’re usually rubbish and cause more problems than they solve. Stick to official sources: Intel’s website for graphics drivers, or your PC manufacturer’s support page if you’ve got a laptop with custom drivers.

Intel Graphics Driver Error 0x80070103 Summary

The Intel graphics driver error 0x80070103 is more annoying than harmful. Your graphics work fine, but Windows Update keeps insisting on installing a driver that’s already there. It’s usually a version numbering mismatch between what’s installed and what Microsoft’s catalogue thinks should be installed.

For most people, hiding the update with Microsoft’s troubleshooter tool sorts it in five minutes. If you’re getting multiple driver conflicts, disabling automatic driver updates and managing them manually is the better long-term solution. And when nothing else works, DDU followed by a clean Intel driver installation from the official website fixes it 90% of the time.

The key is taking control of your driver updates instead of letting Windows Update make decisions for you. Once you’ve resolved the Intel graphics driver error 0x80070103, stay on top of driver versions and you won’t see it again.