How to Uninstall NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel Graphics Drivers

Graphics drivers cause some of the most frustrating problems on a Windows PC: black screens, stuttering, crashes after an update, or a new GPU that won’t work properly because leftovers from the old one are still installed. The standard uninstall in Windows often leaves behind registry entries, shader caches, control panel files, and driver packages in the driver store. These leftovers can conflict with a fresh install.

This guide covers four ways to remove NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel graphics drivers, from the simple built-in option to a full wipe. Before you start, note that when drivers are removed, Windows falls back to the basic Microsoft display driver. Your screen may flicker, and resolution may drop temporarily. This is normal.

Before you begin:

Download the new driver you plan to install and save it somewhere easy to find, since you may be offline during cleanup.
Create a restore point (search “Create a restore point” in the Start menu).
Save your work, because your PC will restart.

Method 1: Uninstall from Windows Settings (Basic)

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This is the quickest option and works for routine updates or minor issues.

Open Settings > Apps > Installed apps (on Windows 10: Apps & features).
Search for your vendor name: “NVIDIA,” “AMD,” or “Intel.”
Remove the main driver entries:
- NVIDIA: NVIDIA Graphics Driver, NVIDIA GeForce Experience or NVIDIA app, NVIDIA HD Audio Driver, and PhysX System Software.
- AMD: AMD Software: Adrenalin Edition (this removes the driver and the control software).
- Intel: Intel Graphics Driver and Intel Graphics Command Center.
Restart your PC when prompted.

Limitation: This often leaves residual files and registry keys. Treat it as a first step, not a total removal.

Method 2: Remove the Driver in Device Manager

This removes the driver package itself rather than just the software wrapper.

Right-click the Start button and choose Device Manager.
Expand Display adapters.
Right-click your GPU and select Uninstall device.
Check Attempt to remove the driver for this device (on newer Windows 11 builds this reads “Delete the driver software for this device”).
Click Uninstall and restart.

Windows may reinstall a generic driver automatically on reboot. To prevent that, disconnect from the internet before restarting.

Method 3: Use Display Driver Uninstaller (DDU) for a Complete Removal

DDU, a free tool from Wagnardsoft, is the most thorough option and the standard recommendation for a full wipe. It removes drivers, registry entries, leftover folders, and driver store packages for NVIDIA, AMD, and Intel.

Steps:

Download DDU from the official Wagnardsoft site or its official forum thread. Avoid third-party download sites.
Extract the archive to a folder (it’s portable, so no installation is needed).
Disconnect from the internet by unplugging Ethernet or turning off Wi-Fi. This stops Windows Update from reinstalling a driver mid-process.
Boot into Safe Mode. Hold Shift while clicking Restart, then go to Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings > Restart, and press 4 (Safe Mode).
Run DDU from the extracted folder.
In the right-hand dropdown, select your device type (GPU) and your vendor (NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel).
Click Clean and restart.
After rebooting, install your new or fresh driver, then reconnect to the internet.

Tips:

On laptops with both Intel integrated graphics and a dedicated NVIDIA or AMD GPU, clean only the vendor you’re troubleshooting unless you intend to reinstall both.
Laptop manufacturers sometimes customize drivers. If you have problems after installing the generic driver, try the version from your laptop maker’s support page.
DDU’s options let you skip removing the vendor’s folders (for example, the NVIDIA shader cache) if you want to preserve some settings.

Method 4: Use Vendor Tools and the Command Line

NVIDIA

Run the new driver installer, choose Custom (Advanced), and check Perform a clean installation. This resets settings and removes previous profiles, though it is less thorough than DDU.

AMD

Run the AMD Software installer and choose Factory Reset during setup. AMD’s Cleanup Utility has also been offered for full removals. Check AMD’s support site for the current version, as availability changes over time.

Intel

Use the Intel Driver & Support Assistant to detect and reinstall the proper driver after you uninstall the old one through Apps or Device Manager.

Removing Leftover Driver Packages with PnPUtil

For stubborn leftovers in the driver store:

Open Command Prompt as administrator.
List installed driver packages:

   pnputil /enum-drivers

Find the entry whose provider is NVIDIA, Advanced Micro Devices, or Intel and whose class is Display. Note its published name (for example, oem42.inf).
Remove it:

   pnputil /delete-driver oem42.inf /uninstall /force

Be careful here: only remove display-class entries, and double-check the name before running the command.

Conclusion

For a quick refresh, the Windows Settings or vendor clean-install option is usually enough. For persistent crashes, black screens, or a GPU swap between brands (such as NVIDIA to AMD), Display Driver Uninstaller in Safe Mode is the most reliable way to wipe everything before starting fresh.

Whichever method you choose, disconnect from the internet during cleanup, have your replacement driver ready, and restart afterward. If problems continue after a clean install, the cause may be hardware, power, or a Windows issue rather than the driver.

FAQ

1. Is it safe to use DDU?
Yes, when downloaded from the official source and used as directed. It’s widely used by enthusiasts and tech support. Create a restore point first and select the correct vendor in the dropdown to avoid removing the wrong drivers.

2. Do I need to uninstall my old drivers before installing a new GPU?
It’s strongly recommended when switching brands, for example from NVIDIA to AMD. Leftover files from the old vendor can cause conflicts, crashes, or performance issues. Within the same brand, a clean install option is often enough.

3. Why does Windows reinstall a graphics driver after I remove it?
Windows Update automatically searches for and installs drivers when it detects a display adapter without a vendor driver. Disconnecting from the internet before restarting prevents this, so you can install your chosen driver instead.

4. Will uninstalling my graphics driver delete my games or files?
No. Removing the driver doesn’t touch your games, documents, or personal files. You may lose custom control panel settings, such as color profiles, per-game graphics settings, and overclocking presets, so note them down beforehand if needed.