How to Remove Graphics Card Drivers
A computer's graphic card needs the correct drivers to function properly. Because of a bad installation or software issues, the drivers can become corrupt, causing hardware to fail. Other times, updated drivers are incompatible with certain applications, necessitating a roll back to previous drivers. In either case, and when a new graphics card is installed, the drivers from the previous installation should be removed to prevent them from adversely interacting with new drivers.
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Instructions
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How to Remove Graphics Card Drivers using the Device Manager
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1
Open the "Start" menu and click "Control Panel."
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Double-click either the "System" or "System and Maintenance" icon and select "Device Manager" from the window that pops up. This will open the Device Manager.
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3
Expand the "Display Adapters" tab and find the graphics card that corresponds to the drivers you want to remove.
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4
Right-click on the graphics card and select "Uninstall."
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Click "Ok" at the prompt to confirm that you want the graphics card drivers removed. The uninstaller will show a progress bar and give notification when the task is completed.
How to Remove Graphics Card Drivers using Add/Remove Programs
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Open the "Start" menu and select "Control Panel."
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Click the "Add or Remove Programs" icon. If you're using Vista, the icon is instead called "Programs and Features."
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Find the driver to be uninstalled. It typically is named after the maker of the graphics card, followed by the words "Display Drivers" or "Graphics Drivers."
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Click "Change/Remove." This will bring up the uninstaller for the drivers.
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Follow the onscreen prompt until the uninstaller finishes.
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Tips & Warnings
Set the Control Panel to "Classic View." This option can be selected in the upper left corner of the Control Panel Window.
Try the Add/Remove Programs method first, as this also will uninstall any software that may have been bundled with the drivers, ensuring a clean removal. Sometimes, however, the drivers don't appear on the list of programs to remove, requiring that you use the Device Manager method.
References
- Photo Credit computer image by blaine stiger from Fotolia.com
