To uninstall NVIDIA drivers while in Safe Mode in Windows, you can follow these steps:
- Boot into Safe Mode:
- Restart your computer. As your computer is booting up, press the
F8key (on some systems it could beShift+F8, or you might need to use the advanced startup options in Windows 10/11 by holdingShiftwhile clicking “Restart” on the power menu). - Select “Safe Mode” or “Safe Mode with Networking” if you need internet access.
- Restart your computer. As your computer is booting up, press the
- Use Device Manager:
- Once in Safe Mode, right-click the Start button and select “Device Manager” from the list.
- In Device Manager, expand the “Display adapters” section.
- Right-click on your NVIDIA graphics card and select “Uninstall device”.
- Check the box that says “Delete the driver software for this device” if available, and click “Uninstall”.
- Use Control Panel:
- If you prefer or if additional NVIDIA components need to be removed, you can also use the Control Panel.
- Press
Windows Key + Rto open the Run dialog, typeappwiz.cpl, and press Enter to open the Programs and Features Control Panel applet. - Look for NVIDIA graphics driver and any other NVIDIA software.
- Select each item and click “Uninstall/Change” and follow the prompts to uninstall.
- Use Display Driver Uninstaller (DDU):
- For a more thorough removal, you can use a third-party tool called Display Driver Uninstaller (DDU). You would need to download DDU before entering Safe Mode.
- Once in Safe Mode, run DDU, select NVIDIA from the drop-down menu, and follow the instructions to remove the drivers.
- Reboot Your Computer:
- After uninstalling the drivers, reboot your computer. This will allow Windows to revert to generic drivers or prompt you to install the latest drivers for your graphics card.
Please note: Using third-party tools like DDU should be done with caution and is generally recommended for experienced users. Always make sure to download such tools from their official website or reputable sources to avoid potential security risks.