What are the Realtek Semiconductor Corp updates/drivers on Windows 11?

Every few days, Windows Update tells me I need to install Realtek updates/drivers on my system. For example, Windows Update displays this list today:



What are these Realtek updates/drivers? A web search seems to give precious little information on what they actually are. They're something related to audio?

To dig deeper, I looked at Device Manager by going to Run... (using keyboard shortcut Win+R) and then entering devmgmt.msc. I have found four categories that reference Realtek:

1. Audio inputs and outputs
2. Audio Processing Objects (APOs)
3. Software components
4. Sound, video and game controllers

The references to Realtek in Device Manager are highlighted in yellow here:



I'm running Windows 11 Enterprise, 23H2, build 22631.3958 on a Lenovo desktop workstation (Lenovo P3 tower workstation). I use a Plantronics P420 speakerphone, connected via USB, as both audio output (speaker) and input (microphone).

It's possible that the desktop workstation tower has its own built-in speaker, but I'm not sure.

• If it does, is this what the Realtek components are related to?
• Should I continue to allow Windows to update these Realtek drivers?

classic35mm said:

Should I continue to allow Windows to update these Realtek drivers?

Click to expand...

I think the question is really “Why wouldn’t you?”
All files can be subject to malicious attacks, updating and patching vulnerabilities is normal, I’d personally update it, for no other reason than it is available. It could be related to updating sound, or even USB functions? Not sure.
Realtek's digital certificate for Windows has been compromised before, allowing attackers to digitally sign malicious drivers without users being notified. Perhaps it has to do with updating certificates.

Outside of that, an internet search shows many results in regards to Realtek drivers being repeatedly offered.

classic35mm said:

It's possible that the desktop workstation tower has its own built-in speaker

Click to expand...

Not sure that matters, could just be a motherboard chip?

If you want to stop it, scroll down to “Step 3” then the info box marked “Update 5/8/23” and see if this works for Windows 11?

Those are updates to your Audio drivers and associated software components, in this case integrated audio on the MOBO.

Sometimes updates have to be done in two parts with a restart in between.

There is nothing wrong, or unusual, it is all standard stuff.
Just do the updates and the restarts.