UPDATED: 12/04/2014 (DD/MM/YYYY)
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Why was this guide created?
3rd Party software uninstallers have been known to cause software corruption by removing essential files such as chipset, audio drivers and system library’s including various .dll’s within system32. These 3rd party software uninstallers include the likes of AMD uninstaller Utility, DDU, CCleaner ext.
When such files are removed or corrupted, it causes system devices to operate improperly. Many users have had to reinstall their Operating System to regain stability and/or access to their computer without abnormal functionality.
Why should I use this guide?
If you suspect software issues with your GPU drivers, or you’re planning on upgrading/downgrading GPU or driver version, you’ll benefit from this guide. I advise any new comer to read as many comments on this thread as possible to determine if this guide is suitable for your needs. The posts/comments will show that 90% of the users benefited from this guide, as it fixed short and long term issues ranging from software errors, reduced fps, alternate GPU brand conflict, crossfire problems, game crashes and much more. As for the 10% of users, at least 8% out of the 10% did not actually use the guide, and decided to use software to clear up the remaining files left by Catalyst Uninstall Utility.
Who's compatible to use this guide?
Guide is recommended for Windows XP/Vista/7/8/8.1. (Note: Users might not see AMD or ATi files in some of the specified locations. This is normal. Just move along to the next step below.
Is there anything I should know before following the guide?
Warning: Don’t use the guide if you use an AMD based chipset, as you might remove required chipset files (That’s if you installed the chipset drivers in the first place normally, in any case, proceed, with the up most caution, or don’t use the guide at all) Intel chipset users are relatively safe as long as you follow the guide properly.
Remove Drivers:
1. Access Add/Remove Programs via the Windows Control Panel
2. Double Click “AMD Catalyst Install Manager”
3. Use the Express Uninstall Option
4. Reboot after the uninstall process has completed
Remove left over files/folders:
1. Access Folder Options from Windows Control Panel
2. Click the view tab and select “Show hidden files/ folders and drives (Apply Settings)
3. Access Drive “C” (Or wherever your OS is installed)
4. Delete the folder named “AMD”
5. Go to “Program Files” and delete all AMD / ATi associated folders
6. Go to “Program Files (x86)” and delete all AMD / ATi associated folders
7. Go to “ProgramData” and delete all AMD / ATi associated folders
8. Go to “Users\YourUserName\AppData\Local” and delete all AMD / ATi associated folders
9. Go to “Users\YourUserName\AppData\Roaming” and delete all AMD / ATi associated folders
Remove left over registry entries:
1. Access ‘Regedit’ (This can be found in Administrative Tools or by Windows Search)
Please Note: We will be using the left side panel within ‘regedit’ during this tutorial
2. Click “HKEY_CURRENT_USER” and extend the folder
3. Click “Software” and extend the folder
4. Delete AMD/ATI associated folders
5. Click “HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE” and extend the folder
6. Click “SOFTWARE” and extend the folder
7. Delete AMD/ATI associated folders
8. Click “Wow6432Node” and extend the folder
9. Delete AMD/ATI associated folders
10. Click “HKEY_USERS” and extend the folder
11. Click “.DEFAULT” and extend the folder
12. Click “Software” and extend the folder
13. Delete AMD/ATI associated folders
14. Click “S-1-5-18” and extend the folder
15. Click “Software” and extend the folder
16. Delete AMD/ATI associated folders
17. Feel free to check the remaining “S-1-5” / “Software” folders for AMD / ATI folders (and remove them)
18. Close ‘regedit’ and empty your recycle bin, followed by a reboot
Disclaimer, use at your own risk.
Edited by BradleyW - 4/12/14 at 12:41pm
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GUIDE: Remove AMD / ATi GPU Drivers.
Why was this guide created?
3rd Party software uninstallers have been known to cause software corruption by removing essential files such as chipset, audio drivers and system library’s including various .dll’s within system32. These 3rd party software uninstallers include the likes of AMD uninstaller Utility, DDU, CCleaner ext.
When such files are removed or corrupted, it causes system devices to operate improperly. Many users have had to reinstall their Operating System to regain stability and/or access to their computer without abnormal functionality.
Why should I use this guide?
If you suspect software issues with your GPU drivers, or you’re planning on upgrading/downgrading GPU or driver version, you’ll benefit from this guide. I advise any new comer to read as many comments on this thread as possible to determine if this guide is suitable for your needs. The posts/comments will show that 90% of the users benefited from this guide, as it fixed short and long term issues ranging from software errors, reduced fps, alternate GPU brand conflict, crossfire problems, game crashes and much more. As for the 10% of users, at least 8% out of the 10% did not actually use the guide, and decided to use software to clear up the remaining files left by Catalyst Uninstall Utility.
Who's compatible to use this guide?
Guide is recommended for Windows XP/Vista/7/8/8.1. (Note: Users might not see AMD or ATi files in some of the specified locations. This is normal. Just move along to the next step below.
Is there anything I should know before following the guide?
Warning: Don’t use the guide if you use an AMD based chipset, as you might remove required chipset files (That’s if you installed the chipset drivers in the first place normally, in any case, proceed, with the up most caution, or don’t use the guide at all) Intel chipset users are relatively safe as long as you follow the guide properly.
Remove Drivers:
1. Access Add/Remove Programs via the Windows Control Panel
2. Double Click “AMD Catalyst Install Manager”
3. Use the Express Uninstall Option
4. Reboot after the uninstall process has completed
Remove left over files/folders:
1. Access Folder Options from Windows Control Panel
2. Click the view tab and select “Show hidden files/ folders and drives (Apply Settings)
3. Access Drive “C” (Or wherever your OS is installed)
4. Delete the folder named “AMD”
5. Go to “Program Files” and delete all AMD / ATi associated folders
6. Go to “Program Files (x86)” and delete all AMD / ATi associated folders
7. Go to “ProgramData” and delete all AMD / ATi associated folders
8. Go to “Users\YourUserName\AppData\Local” and delete all AMD / ATi associated folders
9. Go to “Users\YourUserName\AppData\Roaming” and delete all AMD / ATi associated folders
Remove left over registry entries:
1. Access ‘Regedit’ (This can be found in Administrative Tools or by Windows Search)
Please Note: We will be using the left side panel within ‘regedit’ during this tutorial
2. Click “HKEY_CURRENT_USER” and extend the folder
3. Click “Software” and extend the folder
4. Delete AMD/ATI associated folders
5. Click “HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE” and extend the folder
6. Click “SOFTWARE” and extend the folder
7. Delete AMD/ATI associated folders
8. Click “Wow6432Node” and extend the folder
9. Delete AMD/ATI associated folders
10. Click “HKEY_USERS” and extend the folder
11. Click “.DEFAULT” and extend the folder
12. Click “Software” and extend the folder
13. Delete AMD/ATI associated folders
14. Click “S-1-5-18” and extend the folder
15. Click “Software” and extend the folder
16. Delete AMD/ATI associated folders
17. Feel free to check the remaining “S-1-5” / “Software” folders for AMD / ATI folders (and remove them)
18. Close ‘regedit’ and empty your recycle bin, followed by a reboot
Disclaimer, use at your own risk.
Edited by BradleyW - 4/12/14 at 12:41pm














