The Intel(R) 9 Series Chipset Family PCI Express Root Port 4 - 8C96 is a device that refers to a component of the chipset in Intel's 9-series motherboards, which are typically used in systems with Intel's 4th generation Core processors (such as Intel Core i3, i5, and i7 processors). This particular "PCI Express Root Port" is part of the system's PCI Express (PCIe) infrastructure, allowing communication between the CPU and other peripheral devices, like graphics cards, network adapters, storage controllers, etc., that are connected via PCIe slots.

The Windows driver for this device is software that allows the operating system to communicate with and manage the hardware associated with the PCI Express Root Port. Without the correct driver, Windows may not be able to properly detect or utilize the hardware, leading to issues like device malfunctions or performance problems.