XPS 8930, Windows 11 24H2, Killer 1535 WiFi solution

Microsoft is now allowing the XPS 8930 with the Intel 8th Gen CPU and newer to update to Windows 11 24H2. I'm providing my experience with this update regarding the Killer 1535 Wi-Fi adapter as "Information Only" and accept no liability.

The current Dell Killer 1535 Wi-Fi driver 12.0.0.118 will not work for me after upgrading to Windows 11 24H2, causing this issue, " Driver cannot Start" (Code10) listed in Device Manager. Dell now only list the 12.0.0.118 driver for the 1535 adapter which is a Qualcomm driver. The only reason for the driver updates are security updates. Since Dell has not updated this driver in a while, one can only assume there are, no new security risks with this driver, or Dell is no longer supporting the 1635 adapter. Intel no longer supports this adapter and has no drivers at all for it. Dell also, no longer has the older 1535 drivers listed for the XPS 8930 or any other model that has the 1535 adapter.

I found three solutions:

1. Use an Ethernet connection. It works with the current Dell driver.

2. Roll back the 1535 driver to the last older version, if you still have it installed and it will work.

3. Find a newer driver version than Dell's. I found v.12.0.0.1272 dated 2023 at this website: https://www.drvhub.net/devices/network/qualcomm/commview-killer-wireless-n-a-ac-1535-wireless-network-adapter

Trust Pilot gives this site 4.7 out o 5 for being safe. It works for me with Windows 11 24H2. USE THIS DRIVER AT YOUR OWN RISK, AS I ACCEPT NO LIABILITY. Because I am wary of files from unknown sites I used this procedure:

1. Download the 12.0.0.1272 driver for Windows 10 - 11 64bit (not the 32 bit), which is a ZIP file. 2. Extract the files and scan the folder for viruses. Do not open the QcomWlanSrvx64.exe file. Again I'm wary of extraneous stuff in .exe files and it is not needed just to update the driver alone.

3. Find the actual driver file named "netathr10x.inf". Either right click the file and click "install" or use the Device Manager to update/browse my computer for drivers/browse to file location/update.

The XPS 8930 is old and there will come a time it can no longer be used with Windows. There is another solution and this is the replace the 1535 adapter with a newer one. Just make sure the new adapter will work with your setup. Remember security risks? Even the 12.0.0.1272 driver is one year old. It appears not even Qualcomm, who is now providing the driver for the 1535, is actively updating the driver for the 1535.

DELL, if you are monitoring please update the Killer 1535 Wi-Fi drivers. If Microsoft is recognizing the XPS 8930 as up-gradable to Windows 11 24H2, then Dell should support it.