[BradleyW]

UPDATED 18/01/2016 (DD/MM/YYYY)

GUIDE: Remove AMD GPU Driver

Why was this guide created?

3rd Party software uninstallers (DDU, CCleaner, AMD Uninstall Utility) have been known to cause software corruption by removing essential chipset, audio and system library files. This may cause system instability, OS corruption or personal data loss.

Why should you use this guide?

If you suspect software issues with the GPU driver or plan to up/downgrade GPU/driver version, you could benefit from the guide. The posts show that around 95% of the users gave positive feedback, as it fixed short and long term issues ranging from error messages, in-game stuttering, poor CFX scaling, missing features, low FPS and driver induced system crashes.

Will this guide be compatible?

You'll need an Intel based chipset, AMD desktop GPU(s) and AMD GPU drivers. Don't follow the guide if you use an AMD chipset.

If you installed CCC and Crimson at the same time, follow the CCC guide corresponding to your OS version.

GUIDE FOR WIN 10 + CRIMSON

Spoiler: CLICK HERE

Remove Drivers:

1. Access "Programs and Features" via "Control Panel"

2. Double Click "AMD Install Manager"

3. Use the "Express Uninstall" Option

4. Restart the PC when finished

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" (OS Location)

4. Delete the folder named "AMD"

Remove left over registry entries:

1. Click start and type "Regedit", then press enter

2. Click "HKEY_CURRENT_USER" and extend the folder

3. Click "SOFTWARE" and extend the folder

4. Delete the "AMD" folder

5. Click "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE" and extend the folder

6. Click "SOFTWARE" and extend the folder

7. Delete the "ATI Technologies" folders

8. Click "WOW6432Node" and extend the folder

9. Delete the "ATI Technologies" folders

10. Click "HKEY_USERS" and extend the folder

11. Click "S-1-5-21-545761268-2676804339-3983074714-1001" and extend the folder

12. Click "SOFTWARE" and extend the folder

13. Delete the "AMD" folder

14. Restart the PC

GUIDE FOR WIN 10 + CCC

Spoiler: CLICK HERE

Remove Drivers:

1. Access "Programs and Features" via "Control Panel"

2. Double Click "AMD Install Manager"

3. Use the "Express Uninstall" Option

4. Restart the PC when finished

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" (OS Drive)

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. Click start and type "Regedit", then press enter

2. Click "HKEY_CURRENT_USER" and extend the folder

3. Click "SOFTWARE" and extend the folder

4. Delete the "AMD" folder

5. Click "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE" and extend the folder

6. Click "SOFTWARE" and extend the folder

7. Delete the "ATI Technologies" folders

8. Click "WOW6432Node" and extend the folder

9. Delete the "ATI Technologies" folders

10. Click "HKEY_USERS" and extend the folder

11. Click "S-1-5-21-545761268-2676804339-3983074714-1001" and extend the folder

12. Click "SOFTWARE" and extend the folder

13. Delete the "AMD" folder

14. Restart the PC

GUIDE FOR WIN 7 / 8.1 + CRIMSON

Spoiler: CLICK HERE

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. Restart when finished

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" (OS Location)

4. Delete the folder named "AMD"

Remove left over registry entries:

1. Access 'Regedit' (This can be found in Administrative Tools or by Windows Search)

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. Reboot the PC

GUIDE FOR WIN 7 / 8.1 + CCC

Spoiler: CLICK HERE

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. Restart when finished

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" (OS Drive)

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)

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. Reboot the PC

Disclaimer: Use at your own risk.

 

[ryanbob1234]

All that to remove the drivers DAMN! good guide tho! will recommend if anyone ask's good job!

 

[BradleyW]

Main guide updated.

 

[BradleyW]

I've had several user reports that this guide has fixed many ati/amd related issues. Thank you for using the guide.

 

[fashric]

You should update the first post with the issues its fixed. More chance then that a google search by someone will lead them to this

 

[BradleyW]

Quote:

Originally Posted by fashric;13111079
You should update the first post with the issues its fixed. More chance then that a google search by someone will lead them to this

Good Idea, i will look into doing this when i can

 

[VettePilot]

I just got my PC and they installed the drivers from the disk with the 6950. I got the PC home and windows update said there was a driver update for my card so I installed not thinking anything of it. XFX told me today to never use windows update for GPU drivers unless it is really old. SO I have to go through all of this to get the new 11.4 drivers installed off AMD's site? I cant just unintall the drivers from the harware profile and then install 11.4?

 

[BradleyW]

Go to device manager and find your GPU card, right click and click uninstall driver. There is also an option (Sometimes) to delete the GPU software. It's a check box. Uninstall it all, reboot, check add and remove program list of ATI GPU drivers, uninstall those too and follow the guide as best you can. Not all the guide will apply to you, but some of it might.

 

[VettePilot]

Ok will do. I am going to switch to an XFX 6970 this weekend. How are you liking yours?
Quote:

Originally Posted by BradleyW;13128244
Go to device manager and find your GPU card, right click and click uninstall driver. There is also an option (Sometimes) to delete the GPU software. It's a check box. Uninstall it all, reboot, check add and remove program list of ATI GPU drivers, uninstall those too and follow the guide as best you can. Not all the guide will apply to you, but some of it might.

 

[BradleyW]

Brilliant So far my friend!
Hope the guide works for you.

 

[The Master Chief]

Seems really excessive, I usually just use driver sweeper or the uninstall option that comes up during the install of drivers.

 

[BradleyW]

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Master Chief;13128380
Seems really excessive, I usually just use driver sweeper or the uninstall option that comes up during the install of drivers.

The point of this guide is to prevent the use of driver sweeper. Over long use of such a tool, it can put you at slight risk of file corruption and missing registry entries and the only fix is a format. I know, i've been there plenty of times. It may look "Excessive" but it takes less than 1 minute once you have done it once or twice before. It's far safer and more secure. Driver sweeper also misses stuff. I've done tests.

 

[VettePilot]

I know where he is coming from. It seems like a lot of work at first but I am sure it is far more simple. After dealing with a couple of nasty trojans over the last year I am familiar enough with the registry to feel comfy doing it your way.

OH, Thanks for poppin my Rep Cherry!

Quote:

Originally Posted by BradleyW;13128413
The point of this guide is to prevent the use of driver sweeper. Over long use of such a tool, it can put you at slight risk of file corruption and missing registry entries and the only fix is a format. I know, i've been there plenty of times. It may look "Excessive" but it takes less than 1 minute once you have done it once or twice before. It's far safer and more secure. Driver sweeper also misses stuff. I've done tests.

 

[BradleyW]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Topgearfan;13128743
I know where he is coming from. It seems like a lot of work at first but I am sure it is far more simple. After dealing with a couple of nasty trojans over the last year I am familiar enough with the registry to feel comfy doing it your way.

OH, Thanks for poppin my Rep Cherry!

Glad i could help ya!

 

[VettePilot]

LOL nice stealth edit. I saw your original one earlier and couldnt reply to it at the time on my phone.

Quote:

Originally Posted by BradleyW;13128989
Glad i could help ya!

 

[BradleyW]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Topgearfan;13133012
LOL nice stealth edit. I saw your original one earlier and couldnt reply to it at the time on my phone.

 

[kiwiasian]

Alternatively, you could just Driver Sweeper, which afaik does the same thing...

 

[busylad83]

Thank you so much for the walkthrough, old man/gamer here who didn't want a driver conflict like I had to get sorted last time by a techie. You have helped me a lot. So much so I signed up to this forum just to thank you. Much appreciated.

now to find a way to have a portrait wallpaper and a landscape one... wink wink lol jks.

All the best, Busylad83

 

[BradleyW]

Quote:

Originally Posted by busylad83;13170971
Thank you so much for the walkthrough, old man/gamer here who didn't want a driver conflict like I had to get sorted last time by a techie. You have helped me a lot. So much so I signed up to this forum just to thank you. Much appreciated.

now to find a way to have a portrait wallpaper and a landscape one... wink wink lol jks.

All the best, Busylad83

I am extremely happy that this guide worked for you. Thank you very much for signing up to thank me.

 

[boondockheel]

hey Bradley,

was wondering if you could help me before I proceeded with following this guide?

I'm having very similar problems to the ones you appeared to be having on this thread
http://www.overclock.net/intel-general/965969-blue-screen-all-sudden-every-5-a.html

I get the same BSOD although not quite as frequently, and atikmdag.sys is the leading culprit.

I was wondering whether you found a driver that properly works for your system and what steps you took aside from those in this guide.

Thanks in advance, any help is greatly appreciated.