Intel GMA500 Driver on Windows 8

So like many people with Intel Atom based netbooks, I wanted to try Windows 8. I was running Windows 7 Home Premium on my Asus EeePC T91MT. This netbook is underpowered out of the gate, and the Windows 7 touchpack is cool, but not terribly useful. Touch is definitely an afterthought in Windows 7. For this netbook to be useable, all graphical prettiness must be turned off (especially Aero). The Atom 1.33Ghz CPU is a dog and the Intel GMA500 is even worse. I don't expect much out of a graphics chipset, but it won't even play Minecraft with all options on low.

But this is not an Intel bashing session (even though I could say a lot more)...

I heard that Windows 8 is faster on older hardware, especially the Metro touch system. I installed it and it's true. The Metro UI is neat and pretty intuitive as well as fast.

But this is not a Windows 8 review...

If you want to run a Windows 8 app, you'll need a minimum resolution of 1024x768. Without it, the apps refuse to start. As of March 2012, there are no Windows 8 drivers for the Intel Atom GMA chipsets. When you install Windows 8 on a Win 7 netbook, the basic Microsoft driver is installed.

Default resolution...? 800x600.

I believe it's stupid for Microsoft's basic default driver to default to a resolution that disallows its apps to run. Seems a bit shortsighted. Just sayin...

Windows Update finds no drivers.
I download the latest from Intel (Oct. 2010 driver) - Can't install (OS not supported).

Here's the solution.

1. Download the latest driver
2. Go to the desktop (touch top-left corner)
3. Open the Screen Resolution properties box
4. Click on Advanced Settings
5. Click on Adapter Properties
6. Click on Driver tab
7. Click on Update Driver
8. "Browse my computer for driver software"
9. Select the folder you unzipped the driver to
10. Click "Next"

The screen may flash a time or two, and you may need to reboot, but when it's done you should be able to select your recommended resolution and 1024x768 even if the display recommends lower (mine recommends 1024x600).

Apps load and you can now play with Windows 8 Consumer Preview.

Enjoy.