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

was a revolutionary adapter in its time, bringing high-speed 802.11ac Wi-Fi to a wide range of laptops. However, as of April 2026, the device has reached End-of-Life (EOL) status, meaning Intel no longer provides official driver updates or direct downloads for it. For users running Windows 11, this creates a unique challenge: maintaining modern connectivity with hardware that officially lacks a Windows 11-native driver. The Compatibility Gap

While Intel has discontinued support, many users find that the last official drivers released for Windows 10 (version 21.10.1) still function on Windows 11 due to the shared driver architecture between the two operating systems. However, the absence of active development means that modern networking features, such as Wi-Fi 6 or 6E, may cause stability issues or Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) errors if the adapter is used with newer routers. Strategies for Installation and Maintenance

Since the Intel Download Center no longer lists these drivers for direct download, users must often rely on alternative methods:

Windows Update: Windows 11 may automatically provide a basic, functional driver through its Optional Updates section in the Settings menu.

Legacy Archives: Some users have successfully used drivers archived by third parties or found within other Intel product support pages, such as the Intel NUC DN2820FY drivers which contain compatible 7260 files.

Manual Update via Device Manager: If an older driver is present but unstable, you can use the "Let me pick from a list" feature in Device Manager to force a specific version that was known to be stable on previous OS builds. Troubleshooting and Performance

Common issues on Windows 11 include frequent connection drops or "no internet" errors. Experts often recommend:

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

This adapter is a classic piece of Wi-Fi hardware from the Haswell/Broadwell era (2013–2015). While it supports the critical 802.11ac standard (Wi-Fi 5), it is now considered a legacy device by Intel.

Part 5: How to Check Your Current Driver Version (Screenshots in mind)

To ensure your Intel Dual Band Wireless-AC 7260 driver Windows 11 setup is correct:

  1. Press Win + X > Device Manager.
  2. Double-click Network adapters.
  3. Right-click Intel Dual Band Wireless-AC 7260 > Properties.
  4. Click the Driver tab.
  5. Look for:
    • Driver Provider: Intel
    • Driver Date: Should be 2019 or 2020 (not 2016).
    • Driver Version: 18.33.0.0 (or 18.33.1 if you have a beta).

If you see 15.xx.x or Microsoft dated 2016, you have the wrong driver.

Step 4: Install the Bluetooth Driver (Separate)

The Wi-Fi installer does not install the Bluetooth driver. You must download the separate Bluetooth driver package from Intel: BT_18.33.0_64_Win10.exe

  1. Install the Bluetooth driver.
  2. Restart your PC.

The Bottom Line Up Front

Can you run the Intel 7260 on Windows 11? Yes, technically. Should you? Only if you have no other choice. The drivers work, but the experience is often plagued by latency spikes, random disconnects, and the infamous "limited connectivity" issue.

Step 1: Preparation – Disable Windows Driver Updates

Windows 11 has a habit of forcing its own old driver over your new one.

  • Right-click Start > System > About > Advanced system settings.
  • Click Hardware tab > Device Installation Settings.
  • Select “No (your device might not work as expected)”.
  • Click Save Changes.

Key Features of the AC 7260:

  • Dual Band: 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz support.
  • Max Speed: Up to 867 Mbps (on 5 GHz with 80 MHz channel).
  • Bluetooth: Version 4.0 (some variants include Bluetooth 4.2 after firmware updates).
  • Form Factors: M.2 1216, M.2 2230, and PCIe mini-card.

6. The Ultimate Fix: Hardware Replacement

If you continue to experience instability, the 7260 is known for hardware failures

While there is no official Windows 11 driver for the Intel Dual Band Wireless-AC 7260

, you can typically maintain functionality by using the final Windows 10 driver release. Intel officially designated this hardware as End-of-Life (EOL)

, meaning no new updates or specific Windows 11 optimizations will be developed. Intel Community Key Feature Details Official Status:

Intel has discontinued the Wireless-AC 7260 family. Drivers are no longer available directly via the standard Intel Wi-Fi driver installer for Windows 11. Compatibility: The final Windows 10 driver (version 18.33.17.1

, released around April 2019) is widely reported to work on Windows 11. Support Channels:

Since Intel no longer hosts these files, you must often source them from manufacturer support pages, such as , or via Windows Update. Troubleshooting Windows 11 Issues

If you experience Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) errors or connectivity drops on Windows 11, try these common fixes: Manual Reinstallation: Device Manager Locate and right-click both the drivers under "Network Adapters". Uninstall device (check "Attempt to remove the driver for this device").

Restart your PC; Windows 11 may automatically reinstall a stable, older generic version. Power Management Tweak: In Device Manager, right-click the Intel AC-7260 Properties Power Management "Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power" Maximum Performance Settings: Control Panel Hardware and Sound Power Options Change plan settings Change advanced power settings Set "Wireless Adapter Settings" > "Power Saving Mode" to Maximum Performance for both battery and plugged-in states. Intel Community Are you currently seeing a specific error code or experiencing intermittent disconnects with this card? Solved: Intel Dual Band Wireless-AC 7260 Driver Update

Method 1: Clean Installation Using Intel’s Setup Wizard (Recommended)

  1. Download the installer Wireless_18.33.7.1_Dx64.exe.
  2. Disconnect your Ethernet cable or turn off other network adapters.
  3. Right-click the installer and select Run as Administrator.
  4. Follow the wizard. Choose “Install” instead of “Extract Only”.
  5. Select “Remove all existing Intel drivers” if prompted (clean install).
  6. Complete the installation and restart your PC.

Part 8: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Does Windows 11 automatically install the Intel 7260 driver? A: Yes, but it installs a generic, outdated Microsoft driver (2016) that often causes disconnections. You must manually install Intel’s 18.33.0 driver.

Q: Why does my Bluetooth disappear after waking from sleep? A: This is a power management conflict. Go to Device Manager > Bluetooth adapter > Power Management > Uncheck “Allow the computer to turn off this device.” Then disable “Fast Startup” in Windows 11 Control Panel > Power Options.

Q: Can I use the Intel 7260 on Windows 11 24H2 (latest update)? A: Yes, as of 2025, the 18.33.0 driver continues to work on all Windows 11 24H2 builds. However, future updates may deprecate legacy drivers.

Q: My 7260 shows yellow exclamation mark in Device Manager (Error 10 or 43). A: This indicates a hardware failure or corrupted driver. Run the Intel Driver & Support Assistant. If that fails, disable the device, reboot, re-enable. If error persists, the card may be dying.

Q: What is the latest Bluetooth driver for 7260 on Windows 11? A: Version 18.33.0 is the final. Do not attempt to install Bluetooth drivers from newer Intel cards (like AX200); they will fail.