If you use Intel WiDi with Windows 7 or 8, and really like it, you may want to brace yourself before upgrading to Windows 8.1.
Windows 8.1 discontinues WiDi for Ivy Bridge and Haswell – WiDi is still available for Windows 8.1 on Sandy Bridge.
While Intel has aligned WiDi with Miracast, the two have always been basically compatible, WiDi had one ace in the hole that Miracast lacked: USB over Wi-Fi.
The current workaround I can confirm is to deploy WiDi in Windows 8 and then not uninstall it after upgrading to Windows 8.1. Then use Miracast inside the Display settings for display and WiDi settings for USB.
What I can tell you is that this workaround is totally unsupported, but it works because WiDi is still around for Sandy Bridge, which for some reason the 8.1 driver set doesn’t embrace. I presume it will keep working for as long as the Sandy Bridge WiDi payload is maintained by Intel for 8.1 – but you may have to get hacker-grade to extract the WiDi installer. Future versions will probably keep track of if you’re using Sandy Bridge or not.
Personally, my advice would be to move away from WiDi USB if possible, and use Bluetooth or other options. This workaround is for those that really, really need it and don’t have viable alternatives.
I totally understand why Intel has done this, WiDi was a real pain point to maintain. Intel never officially supported WiDi PCs that were not built, shipped, and certified by a top-tier OEM because of all the numerous software payloads that had to be installed and maintained in concert. Miracast in Windows 8.1 is more limiting than WiDi, but gets the job done without the need to manage over a half-dozen driver kits… and keep updating them.
Finally, if you have WiDi-capable hardware that isn’t Miracast-certified, people I’ve talked to assure me the vast majority of modern configurations (again, post-Sandy Bridge) will work… such as the Intel 2230 that is WiDi-certified but not Miracast-certified. Again, I suspect older Sandy Bridge-era Wi-Fi chipsets may be the reason Intel is continuing to support WiDi for SB silicon, but not for Ivy or Haswell.
If you have other WiDi/Miracast questions, I’ll answer the ones I can.
Update: Intel has a utility that will automate the process of removing WiDi on Ivy Bridge/Haswell, and applying WiDi 4.3 if you are on Sandy Bridge. Anyone that had WiDi installed prior to updating Windows 8 to 8.1, should run this utility, even if WiDi was preinstalled by your OEM.
One quick follow-up, I am checking on what is the workflow for people to update WiDi receivers with Intel firmware. You’re supposed to do that from inside the WiDi settings, which of course don’t exist on 3rd/4th Gen Core systems on 8.1.
My best advice at this moment would be to upgrade all WiDi receivers before upgrading to 8.1. I presume at some point Intel will offer a separate firmware update/maintenance tool for Intel-embedded WiDi receivers.
Hi, why all the confusion?
Do you think Sony Vaio Pro 13 will work with their own IM10 Miracast adapter?
If you’re running Windows 8.1, probably. Most Windows 8.1 laptops should “just work” with Miracast.
The confusion is that WiDi was a compatible, previously rival technology. Before Windows 8.1, the only way to do Miracast inside Windows was with Intel WiDi, after Intel agreed to merge standards.
Now that Windows 8.1 has Miracast built-in, Intel has decided moving forward to use Microsoft’s baked-in Miracast, rather than their own… hence the migration issues for those that were using WiDi before installing/upgrading to Windows 8.1.
Is Intel® Dual Band Wireless-N 7260 / Wireless-AC 7260 Miracast-certified?
I don’t believe so. As Windows 8.1 is taking over the Miracast infrastructure, I think you will see a reduction in the amount of Miracast certifications, if not for cost reduction than any other reason. Very few consumers seek out Miracast certification, and if it “just works” anyways, there will be a limited need for people to submit radios for Miracast certification anymore.
But, that said, I haven’t battle tested the 7260 at Miracast myself. It is Intel WiDi certified, of course.