When running Norton Driver Updater the list of outdated drivers contain drivers that are older or equal to the ones installed.
I’m running Windows 11 Pro version 25H2 build 26200.7840, Norton 360 Premium version 26.1.10738 (build 26.1.10738.966), Norton Device Updater version 26.1 build 6336.
Intel Graphics driver: installed version 32.0.101.8509, suggested version 32.0.101.8247, current according to Norton version 32.0.101.8509
Intel Wireless Bluetooth driver: installed version 24.20.0.3, suggested version 24.20.0.3, current according to Norton version 24.10.0.4
I assume Norton 360 is running as expected, and this issue does not crash my machine, but it is very annoying as it shows you cannot rely on whatever the Norton software is suggesting.
Whatever Norton is suggesting, I’m forced to always do my own research and analysis before I update any driver, application, or delete an infected file.
I’m hoping that Norton can still be trusted as anti-virus software, but the issues I have been dealing with in the past few months makes me reconsider my decades long commitment to the Norton software.
I’m open to suggestions to replace Norton by better performing alternatives.
@Aad You are not alone with this issue. There are no suggestions we can give on the forums other than, use EXTREME caution with using Driver and Software Updaters as you would with any other software with the same offerings. Or just don’t use them at all to be safe. Personally I suggest that using Windows Updates and your OEM websites for software and drivers are the safest scenario.
@SoulAsylum, I agree. Unfortunately, in my case it is not an upselling issue as I have purchased all functionality. This is a very annoying bug which can mesh up you machine.
Understood and I agree. That is the main reason we have presented this issue to Norton time after time because, there have been instances where these two software suites HAVE rendered users device non-functional.
Thank you for the detailed report and for your patience. We’ve reviewed the internal state of the Driver Updater engine on your system and can explain both situations. Intel Graphics driver (installed 32.0.101.8509, Norton suggests 32.0.101.8247) This is not a simple case of Norton suggesting a “downgrade.” What’s happening involves the way Windows — and by extension Norton — ranks driver packages for your specific hardware. Your PC has an HP-specific Intel GPU identified by its full hardware ID, which includes an HP subsystem identifier. Microsoft’s driver selection system assigns each candidate driver a numerical rank based on three factors: signature trust, feature score, and how specifically the driver’s hardware ID matches your device. A more specific match always wins, regardless of the version number.
Version 32.0.101.8247 comes from HP’s OEM driver channel and matches your full hardware ID, including the HP subsystem. Windows assigns it a better (lower) rank.
Version 32.0.101.8509 comes from Intel’s generic driver channel and matches only the base device ID, without the HP subsystem. Windows assigns it a worse (higher) rank.
Norton’s Driver Updater follows Microsoft’s own ranking system (documented at How Windows Ranks Driver Packages). By that logic, the HP-specific 8247 is technically the “better matched” driver for your specific hardware, even though 8509 has a higher version number. HP and Intel often release separate driver builds because OEM-specific versions are tested and validated for that particular hardware configuration. That said, we understand this is counterintuitive — a lower version number appearing as a “suggestion” over a higher one looks like an error. We recognize this needs better communication in the product to explain why a particular driver is recommended. Intel Wireless Bluetooth (installed 24.20.0.3, Norton shows 24.10.0.4 as current) Our internal state file currently shows 24.10.0.4 as the active driver and 24.20.0.3 as an available update. If you are indeed seeing 24.20.0.3 as the installed version in Device Manager, then our engine’s state has not correctly reflected that change yet. One factor that may contribute to this is that Bluetooth devices behave differently from always-on components like a graphics card. Bluetooth adapters can be in a partially active or idle state, and driver changes made by Windows Update may not fully take effect until the device is reconnected or fully re-enumerated. Windows may show the updated driver (24.20.0.3) as the one staged for the next time the device is fully active, while our engine may still be reporting the driver the device was last actually running with (24.10.0.4). This can create a temporary mismatch between what Windows displays and what Norton reports. We will investigate this synchronization gap to ensure Norton detects driver changes more promptly in these scenarios. In the meantime, could you confirm which version Device Manager shows under the Bluetooth adapter’s driver properties tab? That will help us verify whether the update has fully taken effect on your system. In summary:
The Intel Graphics suggestion is technically correct per Windows’ own driver ranking rules (HP-specific driver = better hardware match), but we agree the presentation is confusing and should be improved to make the reasoning transparent.
The Bluetooth discrepancy is likely a timing issue between when Windows staged the new driver and when our engine last detected the active driver state. We take this feedback seriously and are working to improve detection accuracy.
We appreciate your long-standing trust in Norton and understand how these inconsistencies can erode confidence. Your practice of doing your own research before accepting driver updates is a sound approach, and we want to get to a point where Norton’s recommendations give you confidence rather than doubt.
Please see attached screenshot. Since I reported the issue the Bluetooth driver has been updated and the issue no longer arises. But at the time it showed the same Intel version despite multiple rescans . If it is a timing issue then there must be a difference between the original scan at app start up, a rescan, and how device manager does it.
In the meantime I have also updated the Driver Updater app to the latest release (v26.3 build 6444).
Regarding the Intel Graphics issue, I will need to to decide whether to keep the newer Intel driver or to downgrade. My system freezes frequently in either active or idle state, but due to the Windows 11 25H2 issues it is difficult to understand if it is related to this driver issue.
@Selvakumar.S Kudos and thank you for the detailed reply to the issue here. Only Norton, has the inside scoop regarding how and why the products do what they do. Customer confidence is what we Guru’s try to provide around the forums. Having an inside expert respond builds that confidence in ways myself and others cannot provide. Again, THANK YOU!!
