Drivers are software components that allow the operating system to communicate with the graphics card and ensure proper functionality.
However, the general principles outlined here should apply to most scenarios.
In such cases, updating the existing drivers may be sufficient.
However, if you areswitching graphics card manufacturers or encountering driver-related issues, a clean uninstallation is recommended.
Now, lets get started with the step-by-step process of removing drivers from an old graphics card.
This process may vary slightly depending on your operating system, but the basic steps are generally the same.
To begin, fire up the control panel on your machine.
you’re able to usually find it in the Start Menu or by searching for Control Panel.
In the list of installed programs, locate the graphics card driver software.
It may be listed under the name of your graphics card manufacturer, such as NVIDIA or AMD.
opt for driver software and opt for Uninstall or Remove button.
After restarting your system, its a good idea to see if the old drivers have been successfully uninstalled.
Step 2: Removing leftover driver files
1.
Press the Windows key + R on your keyboard to fire up the Run dialog box.
throw in devmgmt.msc and hit Enter to fire up the gadget Manager.
In the equipment Manager, expand the Display Adapters category to see a list of installed graphics cards.
Right-punch the old graphics card driver and select Properties.
In the Properties window, navigate to the Driver tab and hit the Driver Details button.
This will display a list of driver files associated with the old graphics card.
Take note of the driver file names and their locations.
after you snag the information, shut the Properties window.
Next, open File Explorer and navigate to the locations where you found the driver files.
Delete these files to remove any remnants of the old drivers.
Be cautious not to delete any essential system files or files related to your new graphics cards drivers.
After deleting the driver files, its recommended to clean the Windows registry to remove any leftover entries.
To do this, bang out regedit in the Run dialog box and hit Enter.
Your system should now be free of any leftovers from the old graphics card drivers.
Heres how you might use a driver uninstaller tool:
1.
Research and choose a reputable driver uninstaller tool based on user reviews and recommendations.
Download the driver uninstaller tool from the official website of the tools developer or a trusted source.
verify to download the appropriate version for your operating system and graphics card.
Before running the tool, its a good idea to start your machine in Safe Mode.
This ensures that any active driver processes or services are stopped, allowing the uninstallation process to proceed smoothly.
you’re able to access Safe Mode by pressing the F8 key repeatedly during your computers startup.
- snag the old graphics card driver from the list and choose the option to uninstall it.
The tool will then remove the driver and any associated files, ensuring a thorough removal.
After the uninstallation process is complete, power cycle your rig to finalize the changes.
Once your system restarts, it should be free of any remnants of the old graphics card drivers.
The registry is a database that stores configuration options and information about installed software and hardware on your system.
Heres how it’s possible for you to clean the Windows registry:
5.
To ensure a thorough cleaning of the Windows registry, better to use a trusted registry cleaner tool.
These tools scan the registry for leftover entries and invalid references, allowing you to safely remove them.
Examples of popular registry cleaner tools include CCleaner, Wise Registry Cleaner, and Auslogics Registry Cleaner.
Download and implement the tool of your choice, following the instructions provided.
Once the registry cleaner tool is installed, open it and run a scan of your systems registry.
The tool will analyze the registry and present you with a list of entries that can be safely removed.
Review the list and grab the entries related to the old graphics card drivers.
Proceed to clean the registry by removing those selected entries.
This helps to ensure a smooth and error-free experience with your upgraded graphics card.
Heres why restarting is an important step:
1.
Refreshed System: Restarting your rig provides a fresh start for your operating system.
It clears any temporary files, resets system processes, and refreshes system memory.
Driver Installation: After restarting, your system will be ready for the installation of new graphics card drivers.
Stability and Performance: Restarting your rig helps improve system stability and performance.
It allows the operating system to optimize resources and ensure that all components are functioning correctly.
Heres a quick recap of the steps involved:
1.
Be sure to kickstart your setup afterward.
Remove leftover driver files: Manually delete any remaining driver files from your system to prevent conflicts and complications.
Remember to clean the Windows registry to remove registry entries associated with the old drivers.
These tools can thoroughly remove all traces of old drivers.
