Intel Dual Band Wireless-ac 7260 Driver Windows 11 -

Final verdict: The 7260 is 10+ years old. It works on Windows 11 only with the legacy 18.33.x drivers. Do not expect full AC speed or modern Wi-Fi 6 features. If you continue to have blue screens (DPC_WATCHDOG_VIOLATION), replace the card with an Intel AX210 (same M.2 2230 key E slot, ~$25).

Reply if you still need help. Marked as SOLUTION.

The Intel Dual Band Wireless-AC 7260 Go to product viewer dialog for this item.

has reached its End-of-Life (EOL) status, meaning Intel no longer provides official driver updates specifically for Windows 11. However, the card can still function on Windows 11 using the final released Windows 10 drivers. Essential Driver Guide

Final Official Driver Version: The last official driver released by Intel is v18.33.17.1.

Compatibility: While not natively supported, this version is generally stable on Windows 11 64-bit systems.

Official Downloads: Intel has removed these from its primary download center, but they may still be found via: Microsoft Update Catalog: Search for " Wireless-AC 7260 " to find the most recent certified drivers. intel dual band wireless-ac 7260 driver windows 11

OEM Support: If you have a pre-built system, check manufacturer sites like the Dell Support Page for their tested version of the 7260 driver. How to Install on Windows 11

Download the Driver: Get the .exe or .zip file for version 18.33.17.1 (ensure it's for 64-bit). Clean Uninstall (Optional but Recommended): Open Device Manager. Find your adapter under Network adapters.

Right-click and select Uninstall device, checking the box for "Attempt to remove the driver for this device".

Run the Installer: Double-click the downloaded file and follow the prompts to install. Restart: Reboot your computer to apply the changes.

Verify: Return to Device Manager and ensure the card appears without a yellow warning triangle. Troubleshooting Tips

Blue Screen (BSOD): If you experience frequent crashes, some users find better stability using the Intel Driver & Support Assistant to scan for compatible generic alternatives, though mileage varies for legacy cards. Change router settings (temporarily): Disable "802

Power Settings: If Wi-Fi drops frequently, go to Device Manager > Properties > Power Management and uncheck "Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power".

Are you experiencing connection drops or a specific error code with your wireless card? AI responses may include mistakes. Learn more

Solved: Dual Band Wireless AC 7260 driver. - Intel Community

Intel’s final driver package for the 7260 series is version 18.33.0. This package includes both the Wi-Fi driver and Bluetooth driver.

How to download:

Direct Filename reference: Wireless_18.33.0_Driver64_Win10.zip Final verdict: The 7260 is 10+ years old

netsh int ip reset && netsh winsock reset

After reboot, Windows 11 might overwrite it again. To stop that:

The AC 7260 combines Wi-Fi and Bluetooth on a single M.2 or mini-PCIe card. Windows 11 may install Wi-Fi but ignore Bluetooth.

Fix:

Check that your router is not broadcasting on DFS channels (52–144). The AC 7260 has poor DFS support. Set your router to a non-DFS channel like 36, 40, 44, or 48.

Many 7260 drivers have micro-stutters with IPv6. Go to Network Connections > Right-click your Wi-Fi > Properties > Uncheck “Internet Protocol Version 6 (TCP/IPv6)”. Reboot.

OEMs like Dell, Lenovo, HP, and Asus sometimes provide customized drivers with extended power management settings. For example:

These drivers are often older than Intel’s generic ones but may better support proprietary hardware buttons (e.g., airplane mode switches).