A driver is a program that synchronizes the operation of the operating system and hardware with each other. Simply put, the driver “introduces” the two components to each other, forcing them to work correctly. Manufacturers of computer components release constantly updated drivers in the public domain.
These utilities often have incompatibility problems, which makes it necessary to completely remove the program and clean the installation. Many users have a vague idea of how to work with drivers. It is for them that we will figure out how to completely remove the Nvidia driver. If your video card is from another manufacturer, the instructions will be identical except for the software interface features.
When do I need to remove a driver?
Before proceeding with the removal, determine whether your computer needs it. To remove such an important system software should be in the cases presented:
- installing a more recent driver version;
- a “crooked” or faulty driver requiring reinstallation;
- switching to a video card of another manufacturer.
Remember that if you remove the utility, your video card will stop working correctly (the resolution of the image on the screen will decrease, etc.). Therefore, it is recommended that you take care of the new driver versions in advance and download it to the media for subsequent installation. Now let's move on to how to completely remove the Nvidia driver in different ways.
First option
To begin with, simply deleting all the files from the directory on the hard drive will not help and will not solve the problem. In addition, not all users are aware of the location of the driver in the system (more on this later). Therefore, the standard Windows utility comes to the rescue, through which all programs are deleted from the hard drive. Before uninstalling Nvidia graphics card drivers, follow these steps:
- open the "Control Panel" through the "Start" menu or the search window;
- then go to the "Programs" section, and then - "Programs and Components";
- you will see a list of all installed software on your computer, ranging from games to system utilities;
- in the list you need to find all the positions that are associated with Nvidia. Each element will have to be removed separately: video driver, PhysX, GeForce Experience, and so on;
- to delete, click RMB and select "Delete / Change";
- after the action is completed, the Nvidia proprietary installer should open, which will offer to completely delete the files or restore them.
Now you know how to completely remove the Nvidia driver through the control panel in Windows. After the operation, be sure to restart the computer to correctly install the latest driver package and software.
Second option
If you do not want to use the "Control Panel" and uninstall each component manually, you will receive a third-party utility called Display Driver Uninstaller, which can be downloaded in the public domain on the Internet.
After downloading the archive with the program, unzip the files to any place on your hard drive and run the exe-file. Developers recommend running software in safe mode Windows. Next, do the following:
- select the manufacturer (Nvidia);
- Next, select the action that you want to perform (delete with a reboot, without rebooting or turn off the PC after removal);
- to fine-tune the removed components, click "Options" in the program and put the necessary checkmarks.
Before uninstalling Nvidia graphics card drivers using DDU, be sure to enable safe mode. The utility will offer to switch to it automatically at the first start after downloading.
There is also another similar utility - Driver Sweeper. The principle of its operation is approximately the same, the differences are only in the program interface.
Third option
In the event that you need to remove only the driver, but not touch the accompanying software, you can use the "Device Manager". To open it, do the following:
- right click on the "My Computer" label;
- select the "Properties" item in the context menu;
- in the left column with sections, select "Device Manager";
- Next, find the line "Video Adapters" and go to the properties of your video card;
- in the "Driver" tab, click on the "Remove Device" button (also this action can be performed using RMB);
- Together with the driver, the video card itself is also removed from the system. You can add it back by updating the hardware configuration.
Where are the Nvidia drivers located?
You can find drivers for each connected device on the system partition of the hard drive in the windows / system32 / drivers folder. We warn that in the absence of knowledge, it is not recommended to climb into the system folders and remove the drivers.
How to completely remove Nvidia drivers from Linux?
The Linux operating system is a little more complicated than the Windows operating system. To uninstall, you will need the driver installer file for the video card. Open the folder with it and run the installer with the uninstall command. If you do not have an official installer, then first download it from the Nvidia website, and then run it with the same command. Next, enter a command that allows the execution of the action: $ chmod u + x ./ name of the driver installer. Now you know how to remove Nvidia graphics card drivers using different methods.