Is LAN driver needed £
Printed From: ASRock.com
Category: Technical Support
Forum Name: Intel Motherboards
Forum Description: Question about ASRock Intel Motherboards
URL: https://forum.asrock.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=113392
Printed Date: 16 Apr 2026 at 9:33pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.04 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Is LAN driver needed £
Posted By: Mike99
Subject: Is LAN driver needed £
Date Posted: 23 Nov 2025 at 10:07am
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I did a clean install of Windows 11 & it wanted to install the LAN driver, which of course I did not have yet. Afterwards I used the ASRock auto driver install on BIOS and it did not install a LAN driver. Everything works. Should I install a LAN driver from the ASRock website or a slightly newer one from the Microsoft website? Or just leave everything alone? B760M Pro RS/D4 motherboard. |
Replies:
Posted By: Xaltar
Date Posted: 23 Nov 2025 at 5:13pm
Answered for yourself  I typically only update a driver if I am dissatisfied with how the device is working. Slow performance, instability etc. In most cases the default drivers that come with Windows tend to be more than adequate where available. The LAN provided on most of ASRock's boards tends to be based on tried and tested LAN controllers, controllers that Windows has drivers for by default, the same goes for sound. Easier installation/setup = less support calls and tickets. In other words, if it works, leave it be. It was designed to make life easy for you. Some enthusiasts will obsess over drivers for just about every component in their system that could yield a performance boost or stability. This is not worth the time, effort and research for the average user considering the negligible gains. Microsoft will tend to bundle the most stable and reliable drivers and only update them when there is a security or stability issue discovered. This is why you often find drivers installed that predate the operating system, the driver was good enough and had no issues. ------------- 
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Everything works.Posted By: Mike99
Date Posted: 23 Nov 2025 at 7:25pm
I rarely update drivers & understand what you're saying, that's why I have not installed or updated the LAN driver. Previously I installed Windows 10 on this motherboard & the ASRock auto driver installer installed 4 drivers which included the LAN driver. Now when I installed Window 11 the ASRock auto driver installed 3 drivers which were the same as for Windows 10. But it did not install the LAN driver. So I was curious why it installed the LAN driver for Win10 but not for Win11. Also during the Win11 install it asked me to install the LAN driver, which made me question what came with the install. Turns out it is dated 10/2021. Microsoft's website has a driver for my network card & it is dated 2025. I wonder why this wasn't included with Windows 11. FWIW the latest from ASRock is dated 2024. |