How to Completely Uninstall Existing GPU Drivers the Right Way
Regardless of your caution, there will be times when a new driver update disrupts your PC, especially with GPU drivers. Updating to an unstable GPU driver often results in screen flickering or black screen issues. Simply uninstalling the GPU driver may not resolve these problems because the default uninstall tool leaves behind files and registry entries. Consequently, when you install a stable driver, these leftover files interfere with the installation. To resolve this issue, we recommend using the Display Driver Installer (DDU) software to fully uninstall GPU drivers. Now, let’s proceed with the steps.
The uninstaller leaves residual files on your PC. However, Display Driver Uninstaller seeks and removes all residual files and folders, cleans up corrupt registry entries, and eliminates all GPU driver traces. When you install a GPU driver after using DDU, it is similar to a clean installation.
DDU is a great tool, but the options and settings it offers can confuse first-time users. We will highlight the easiest way to use DDU without harming your PC.
Using DDU software is simple, but there are a few things to keep in mind. First, make sure your system isn’t connected to the internet to prevent interference from Windows Update. Second, DDU doesn’t work on a network drive, so install and run it on your Windows computer. Also, exclude the DDU folder from your antivirus software.
It’s recommended to use DDU in Windows Safe Mode. If you choose to use DDU in Normal mode, you’ll need to repeat the process twice to ensure all files are properly cleaned. Now, let’s get to the actual process.
Download the DDU installer from Guru3D website and choose a location to save it.
Unzip the installer file and open the extracted folder. Double-click on DDU.exe to start the extraction tool.
After the files are extracted, reboot your system in Safe Mode.
Once your PC has restarted in Safe Mode, open the DDU folder and double-click on Display Driver Uninstaller.exe to launch it.
In the Options window, choose your preferences. If you want to keep certain files or add-on software, uncheck them from the list.
Step 7: The DDU window should open. On the right side, select your device type – GPU.
Step 8: Select your GPU manufacturer – NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel.
Step 9: Click on Clean and restart.
DDU uninstalls your graphics driver, cleans up the registry, removes leftover files, and reboots your system. After your PC boots up, connect it to the internet and Windows will automatically fetch the latest stable driver.
Once Windows finishes installing the GPU driver, you can continue using your PC as you like. However, note that Windows does not install the latest GPU driver, but rather a version it deems stable. You may want to update your GPU driver to the latest stable version later. If your computer has NVIDIA graphics, you can refer to our guide for installing and updating NVIDIA drivers without GeForce Experience.
As Fred Humiston, the author behind Twothirds.us, I focus on providing practical and easy-to-follow guides and solutions for a variety of technical issues that people commonly face.
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