How to uninstall nvidia drivers
If you experience issues with your computers graphics card, such as lag during gaming or abnormal screen displays, uninstalling and reinstalling the graphics driver is often a helpful solution. NVIDIA graphics cards are widely popular, but the process of uninstalling their drivers can seem a bit complicated for those unfamiliar with computer operations. Heres an easy-to-follow guide for uninstalling NVIDIA drivers!
1. Uninstalling Drivers Using Windows Built-in Features
Open the Settings Page: Press the "Win + I" keys to access Windows Settings, then click on "Apps".
Locate the NVIDIA Driver: In the "Installed Apps" section, find "NVIDIA Graphics Driver" or a similar name.
Select Uninstall: Click on the driver and choose "Uninstall," then follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process.
This method is straightforward but may leave behind residual driver files. It works well for basic needs but isnt a complete solution.
(Image source: NVIDIA)
2. Uninstalling Drivers Using Device Manager
For a more direct approach, you can use the Device Manager to uninstall the driver:
Open Device Manager: Press "Win + X" and select "Device Manager".
Find the Graphics Card Device: Expand the "Display Adapters" category, then right-click on the NVIDIA graphics card.
Uninstall Device: Choose "Uninstall Device", check the box for "Delete the driver software for this device", and click "OK".
3. Using Professional Tools for a Thorough Uninstall
To avoid leftover files that could affect system performance, consider using a professional tool like Display Driver Uninstaller (DDU). Heres how:
Download the DDU Tool: Get it from the official website and extract the files.
Enter Safe Mode: Press "Win + R", type "msconfig", go to the "Boot" tab, select "Safe Boot", and restart your computer.
Run the DDU Tool: Open DDU, select "GPU" as the target device, and click "Clean and Restart".
Complete the Process: The tool will remove all NVIDIA driver files and registry entries before automatically restarting your system.
4. What to Do After Uninstalling?
Once youve uninstalled the driver, take the following steps to ensure your system and graphics card function properly:
Install a New Driver Version: After uninstalling, use a professional tool like Driver Sentry to detect your graphics card model and automatically match the correct driver version.
Open Driver Talent and click "Scan".
The tool will analyze your system and identify any driver issues.
Locate the NVIDIA graphics card in the scan results, click "Upgrade", and let the software install the appropriate version for you.
Avoid Running Without Drivers for Long: Graphics drivers are crucial for display and graphics performance. Prolonged use without a driver can lead to reduced functionality and performance.
Restart Your System: Whether uninstalling or installing drivers, restarting your computer ensures the settings take effect.
For the best results, using tools like DDU to thoroughly remove drivers is the most reliable choice. After completing the uninstallation, promptly install the right driver version with a tool like Driver Sentry to restore your graphics cards optimal performance.
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