Video card drivers allow these devices to include all its graphics processing capabilities, while demanding full compatibility with the models of a particular manufacturer. If the GPU is replaced, it is likely that the new software will also be required. Often, before installing it, it becomes necessary to remove the old version. We will talk about this in this article.
Removing NVIDIA Video Card Drivers
The need for this operation occurs in different cases. For example, in case of failures in the driver or errors when it is installed. If you change the graphics adapter to the AMD device, delete the NVIDIA software must be mandatory. There are several uninstall tools. These can be universal or high-specialized programs, as well as system tools. Further we will describe in detail several ways to use them.Method 1: Specialized Software
In nature, there are programs designed to remove drivers. The functional is one of them - Display Driver Uninstaller (DDU) - is directed solely on uninstalling video card software.
Method 2: Universal Programs
Universal software that meets our requirements can be attributed to products such as Revo Uninstaller and CCleaner. There are other similar programs, but we will look at these two, as the most convenient and easy-to-use.Method 3: System Tools
The system to help solve the task is related to the standard control panel utility and one of the devices manager functions. Next, we will give universal ways to access these tools and instructions for their use.
"Control Panel"
- You can get to this system partition using the "Run" menu, which is called by the Windows + R hot keys. The command opening the "control panel" is written as follows:
Control
- In the View list, select the display of applets in the form of small icons and open the "programs and components".
- We find in the list items corresponding to NVIDIA drivers, press the PCM by one of them and select the only option - delete.
- The system will find and launch the installer, with which the operation of uninstalling is performed.
Do not forget to abandon the automatic reboot after the process is completed (see above) to be able to delete other components. You can also clean the PC from the "tailings" by the Sicliner, and then perform the reboot.
"Device Manager"
- Access to this snap-in is also carried out through the "Run" string.
Devmgmt.msc.
- We find a video card in the appropriate branch, click on its name PCM and delete the device.
- In the dialog box that opens, put a donkey near the item, which also allows you to delete and drivers. Run the process and wait for it to complete.
- Reboot your computer.
Method 4: "Command String"
Let's start with warning. This method does not suit users with low levels of knowledge and experience, because it may cause non-error in the system in use. To it should be resorted in the most extreme case or in situations when it is necessary, for example, with remote administration.
Another nuance: it is better to produce this procedure in "Safe Mode" in order to avoid possible problems in the form of a black screen. How to boot, read the links above.
We will use the console utility that allows you to install and delete drivers. As an independent means, it can be ineffective, but with the full cleaning of the system from the "green" software packages after removal by other tools it will be quite cope.
- Run a "command line" on behalf of the administrator (important).
Read more: How to open the "Command Line" in Windows 10, Windows 8, Windows 7
- We enter a command that will display a list of all drivers from third-party developers (not Microsoft) and press ENTER.
Pnputil -e.
It is not difficult to guess that we are interested in NVIDIA drivers, or rather, the names of the INF files corresponding to them.
- The following command will delete the selected driver.
pnputil.exe -f -d OEM5.inf
Here pnputil.exe is a console utility of installation and removal of drivers, -f and -d - options forced uninstallation, and OEM5.inf - the name of the information file defined in the previous stage (be careful).
- In the same way, delete all the drivers from NVIDIA and reboot the PC.
Conclusion
We reviewed several ways to remove NVIDIA software from a computer. The most reliable is an option using Display Driver Uninstaller, as this is quite effective and tested by many users. However, it is not always possible to use it. In such situations, you can seek help to other tools. The "command line" is better to bypass the party, if you do not understand what the Pnputil.exe utility is served, and what results will turn out after its completion.