Skip to main content

Updating and cleaning up graphics drivers on Windows

Updating and cleaning up graphics drivers on Windows

Updated

Having the latest graphics drivers for your graphics card is important for Parsec to work correctly. Some automatic updaters report the wrong latest driver, and in some cases drivers misbehave and need to be fully removed and reinstalled. This guide covers how to do both on consumer GPUs.

This guide is aimed at regular consumer machines. For VMs using Easy-GPU-PV, refer to its documentation on GitHub. For cloud PCs using the Parsec Cloud Preparation Tool, use the update shortcut included on the desktop. For issues updating either of those, refer to their respective GitHub issue sections.

Table of contents

Installing the latest drivers

We do not recommend using automatic updaters, because they commonly offer older versions, especially on laptops. Follow the steps below for your GPU vendor instead.

What GPUs do I have?

You need to know which GPUs your computer has before updating them. Parsec provides a system information tool called Oracle, which you can download and run.

Oracle tool output listing installed GPUs and their vendor and device IDs

The screenshot shows Oracle run on a laptop with hybrid graphics. It lists two GPUs plus the Parsec display driver:

  • "Intel UHD Graphics", a weaker GPU integrated into the Intel i7-10750H CPU
  • "NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650", a stronger dedicated GPU
  • "Parsec Virtual Display Adapter", the Parsec display driver, which can be ignored

It is recommended to update all existing Intel, NVIDIA and AMD drivers for the sake of simplicity.

If you see a Microsoft Display Adapter instead of your actual GPU name, either you are connected over RDP (a non-Parsec way of remotely connecting to the machine), or no drivers are installed for those GPUs. If no drivers are installed, copy the listed vendor and device ID into DeviceHunt to identify the GPU.

Intel

  1. Search for your CPU name in the Intel Download Center. Search by GPU name only if you have a dedicated Arc graphics card, such as an Intel Arc A770.
    Intel Download Center search results for a CPU model
  2. Open each result and check which one lists the most recent graphics driver for your operating system version. Some results are beta drivers, which are optional.
    Intel driver download page showing release date and supported operating systems
  3. Under Available Downloads, download and install the .exe file.
    Available Downloads section with the .exe installer highlighted
  4. If the installer reports "The driver being installed is not validated for this computer", see Intel's Computer Manufacturer Graphics Driver Detected article, which gives the resolution for your processor generation.
  5. Restart the computer once the installer has finished.

NVIDIA

Install the NVIDIA app, which has replaced GeForce Experience, and use it to check for driver updates. You can also run a manual driver search on NVIDIA's site to confirm you have the latest version. Restart the computer after updating.

AMD

Get updates from AMD's support site by searching for the name of your hardware. Avoid the automatic installer and look for the link to the full driver package, usually listed below the automatic installer link. Restart the computer after updating.

Cleaning up old drivers

Before you start: this procedure requires physical or console access to the computer. Booting into safe mode and removing the display driver ends any Parsec session, and you will not be able to reconnect until the driver is reinstalled.

If installing the latest drivers does not resolve your issue, use Display Driver Uninstaller (DDU) to remove all traces of the current driver, then reinstall it.

Creating a restore point

Create a restore point first, so you can return the computer to its previous state if anything goes wrong.

  1. Open the Windows Start menu and type Create a restore point.
  2. Open the result with that name.
  3. Click Create at the bottom of the window.
    System Protection tab with the Create button for a new restore point
  4. Type a description, for example "Before using DDU", then click Create.

Using DDU

  1. Download the latest driver setup file from Intel, NVIDIA or AMD using the steps in Installing the latest drivers. Do not run the installer yet. Keep the file for later.
  2. Download Display Driver Uninstaller.
  3. Unplug your ethernet cable or turn off Wi-Fi, to stop Windows installing unwanted driver updates during the process.
  4. Boot into safe mode.
    1. Restart the computer from the Windows Start menu while holding Shift.
    2. On the blue screen, go to Troubleshoot, then Advanced options, then Startup Settings.
    3. In Startup Settings, click Restart.
    4. When the options screen appears, press 4 to boot into safe mode.
  5. In safe mode, run the Display Driver Uninstaller file you downloaded.
    1. Select a location to extract the program to, then click Extract.
    2. Open the extracted folder and run Display Driver Uninstaller.exe.
    3. A settings window opens the first time you run it. Leave the settings unchanged and close it.
    4. Select GPU as the device type on the right, then select the GPU whose drivers you want to remove.
    5. Click Clean and restart.
  6. Once the computer restarts, install the driver you downloaded in step 1.
  7. Restart the computer again.
  8. Reconnect your ethernet cable or turn Wi-Fi back on.
  9. Test whether Parsec is now working correctly.

Related articles