Contextual considerations (2018 era)
Moreover, "extra quality" in proprietary drivers is often a myth. Conexant’s 2018 update already included the best-tested algorithms for that chipset. Third-party mods may overdrive hardware, cause overheating, or break Windows driver signing—leading to system instability or blue screens. In some cases, they disable security features like Driver Signature Enforcement, opening the door to further attacks.
The consensus among Microsoft MVPs and independent advisors is clear: . In fact, installing it may revert your finely tuned OEM audio enhancements (like Bang & Olufsen or DTS) back to a generic Windows setting.
While intended to provide stable audio performance, this update is now primarily associated with technical failures rather than improved quality: Installation Error 0x80070103: conexant media 7 3 2018 update extra quality
This driver was released around July 2018 for Windows 10 version 1803 and later. It is intended for systems using Conexant High-Definition (HD) Audio, common in HP, Lenovo, and Dell laptops. July 3, 2018 Version: 8.65.262.0 Size: Varies by package, approximately 57MB to 61MB
: Windows 10 (version 1803 and later) and Windows 11 changes disrupted compatibility with original Conexant installer frameworks, leading to the 0x80070103 "already exists/fails to install" error code. How to Fix the Conexant 2018 Update Error
Following the steps above—starting with the —will resolve the immediate issue and allow Windows Update to focus on other important security and feature updates. In some cases, they disable security features like
When searching for "Conexant Media 7/3/2018 update extra quality", your ultimate goal is a stable, high-quality audio experience on your Windows PC. The persistent update is often a bug or a compatibility hiccup, not a feature you need to chase.
Many legacy Conexant drivers suffered from issues after Windows updates. The 2018 update provides better compatibility. Key Benefits of Upgrading Your Conexant Drivers
Click , then select Let me pick from a list of available drivers on my computer . While intended to provide stable audio performance, this
| Problem | Solution | Effectiveness | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | Driver keeps reappearing in Windows Update. | Hide the update using the Microsoft "Show or Hide Updates" tool (Method 1). | | | Driver fails to install with error 0x80070103. | Hide the update (Method 1) or uninstall the device driver and let Windows reinstall a basic one. | Highly Effective | | Missing audio after a Windows update. | Manually download and install the latest audio driver from your laptop manufacturer's support site (Method 2). | Effective | | The hidden update returns after a Feature Update. | Re-run the "Hide Updates" tool after the major version upgrade (Method 1). | Temporary (must be repeated after major OS updates) |
Click . If the option is greyed out, proceed to the next method. Restart your computer. Method 2: Switch to the Generic Windows HD Audio Driver
Hunting for specific legacy drivers like the is a common hurdle when maintaining older or specialized PC hardware. By sourcing the file securely through the Microsoft Update Catalog or utilizing the generic High Definition Audio workaround, you can safely restore rich, glitch-free audio to your computer without risking malware or system instability.
Open Device Manager → Sound, video and game controllers → Right-click your Conexant device → Properties → Details → Hardware Ids. Copy the first line and search it. If it exists in Conexant’s 7.3 driver .inf file, you’re safe.