What is intel-driver-support-assistant.exe?
intel-driver-support-assistant.exe is the executable for Intel's Driver & Support Assistant. It detects Intel hardware in your system, checks for the latest drivers, and notifies you when updates are available to keep Intel components current and optimized.
DSA runs as a background utility and UI that queries Intel's driver catalog to compare installed versions against current releases. It coordinates scans and prompts installations while preserving system stability through controlled updates.
Quick Fact: Intel DSA automates driver updates for Intel hardware and can run background checks on a schedule to streamline maintenance.
Types of Intel Driver & Support Assistant Processes
- Launcher Process: Launches the assistant UI and coordinates scans
- Scanner Process: Performs hardware detection and driver version checks
- Updater Process: Downloads and installs validated driver updates
- UI Process: User interface for check status and settings
- Telemetry/Background: Sends non-sensitive usage data for diagnostics and keeps schedule tasks
Is intel-driver-support-assistant.exe Safe?
Yes, intel-driver-support-assistant.exe is safe when it's the legitimate Intel file downloaded from intel.com or via official Intel update utilities.
Is intel-driver-support-assistant.exe a Virus or Malware?
The real file is NOT a virus. Malware may imitate the name, so verify location and signature.
How to Tell if intel-driver-support-assistant.exe is Legitimate or Malware
- File Location: Must be in
C:\Program Files (x86)\Intel\Driver & Support Assistant\DSA.exe or C:\Program Files\Intel\Driver & Support Assistant\DSA.exe. Any other location is suspicious.
- Digital Signature: Right-click the file in Explorer or Task Manager → Open file location → Right-click DSA.exe → Properties → Digital Signatures. Should show "Intel Corporation".
- Resource Usage: Normal usage is 1-10% CPU and 40-150 MB memory; consistently high usage without Intel hardware support is suspicious.
- Behavior: DSA should not act as a browser plugin. It should only run when UI or scheduled checks occur.
Red Flags: If intel-driver-support-assistant.exe is located in temp folders, runs outside scheduled checks, lacks a valid signature, or uses excessive resources constantly, scan with antivirus. Be wary of similarly named files like 'DSA.exe.bak'.
Why Is intel-driver-support-assistant.exe Running on My PC?
Intel Driver & Support Assistant runs to detect Intel hardware and check for driver updates, helping keep your system up-to-date without manual checks.
Reasons it's running:
- Active Driver Scan: A scan is currently checking installed Intel components for outdated drivers.
- Background Update Checks: Scheduled checks run to identify new drivers and notify you.
- Startup or Auto-Launch: DSA may be configured to start with Windows to monitor devices and prompt updates.
- UI Interaction: The UI is open or recently used, keeping the process alive for user actions.
- Telemetry and Diagnostics: Non-sensitive telemetry is collected to improve reliability and compatibility.
Can I Disable or Remove intel-driver-support-assistant.exe?
Yes, you can disable intel-driver-support-assistant.exe. It is safe to turn off automatic checks or uninstall if you prefer manual driver management.
How to Stop intel-driver-support-assistant.exe
- End UI or Tasks: In the Intel UI, choose Exit or use Task Manager to End Task for DSA.exe.
- Disable Startup: Task Manager → Startup tab → Disable Intel Driver & Support Assistant
- Prevent Background Checks: Within the Intel UI Settings → Update Preferences, turn off automatic checks
- Stop Background Telemetry: In Settings, disable telemetry sharing if offered
- Manual Uninstall: Windows Settings → Apps → Intel Driver & Support Assistant → Uninstall
How to Uninstall Intel Driver & Support Assistant
- ✔ Windows Settings → Apps → Apps & features → Intel Driver & Support Assistant → Uninstall
- ✔ Control Panel → Programs → Uninstall a program → Intel Driver & Support Assistant → Uninstall
- ✔ Restart your PC after removal
Common Problems: High CPU, Memory, or Update Failures
If intel-driver-support-assistant.exe consumes excessive resources or fails to update drivers:
Common Causes & Solutions
- Outdated or incompatible drivers: Update using the Intel UI after ensuring hardware compatibility
- Frequent scans with many devices: Limit scans or adjust scheduling in Settings; close UI when not needed
- Background telemetry: Disable non-essential telemetry in Settings
- Corrupted cache: Clear cache in Intel UI settings or reinstall
- Conflicting software: Temporarily disable antivirus or other updater utilities to test
- Network issues during update: Ensure stable internet, retry from UI after a few minutes
Quick Fixes:
1. Open Intel Driver & Support Assistant and run a manual scan
2. Check for updates and install available drivers
3. Restart your PC and re-check
4. Disable unnecessary background checks in Settings
5. If issues persist, uninstall and reinstall the tool
Frequently Asked Questions
Is intel-driver-support-assistant.exe safe?
Yes, the legitimate Intel Driver & Support Assistant executable is safe when obtained from Intel's official site or bundled with Intel update utilities.
Why is intel-driver-support-assistant.exe running?
It runs to detect Intel hardware and check for driver updates, ensuring artifacts stay current and compatible with your system.
Can I disable intel-driver-support-assistant.exe?
Yes. You can disable automatic checks or exit the UI; you can also uninstall if you don’t want Intel driver updates
How do I uninstall Intel Driver & Support Assistant?
Go to Windows Settings → Apps → Intel Driver & Support Assistant → Uninstall; restart after removal
Does Intel Driver & Support Assistant collect data?
It may collect non-sensitive telemetry to improve compatibility; you can adjust telemetry settings in the UI
What if update fails?
Check internet connection, verify permissions, run the UI as administrator, and retry the update; consult Intel support if needed