As you might already know, a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) is integral to Windows PC. It is one of the most critical components of a computer that makes it able to run programs, execute commands and operate smoothly.
There are several types of GPUs out there, varying based on their uses and purposes, but one thing common in all of them is that we need to tweak their settings as per our requirements to get the best out of them. In this article, we’ll learn how to reset the GPU to the factory default settings. So without any further delay, let’s begin.
Resetting GPU to Factory Default Settings
Changing the settings of a Windows GPU can increase its overall performance quite a bit, making your computer considerably faster. However, it is essential to be aware of what to do in case things go south when changing the settings of a Windows GPU; in this case, restoring the settings to the factory default can save you a lot of hassle and stress.
How to Reset the GPU to the Factory Default Settings in Windows?
In this section, we’ll learn how to reset the GPU to its default settings, i.e., resetting it to the factory default settings. There are many ways one can do this, and we’ll discuss all of them one by one here. Here’s all that’s covered:
- Using Windows System Settings
- Using AMD Radeon/Nvidia Control Panel Software
- Using Device Manager
- Using Registry Editor
- Using Display Driver Uninstaller Software
Note: You will need an administrator account to execute these suggestions. We also suggest creating a system restore point which can be handy in a bad situation.
1] Using Windows System Settings
You can use the Windows System Settings to change a lot of things in your Windows computer, and that includes GPU settings as well. Follow the steps listed below to use the System Settings to reset your GPU to default factory settings:
- Press Windows + I key to launch System Settings.
- Navigate to System > Display> Graphics.
- Here you’ll find a list of apps installed on your Windows system. Click on the desired app, then click on Options, and proceed to select the Let Windows decide option, which is the default setting.
- Repeat the above step for all your desired applications, and that’s it!
2] Using AMD Radeon/Nvidia Control panel application
Nvidia Control Panel and the AMD Radeon application are dedicated softwares developed especially for managing GPU settings. You can change the GPU settings to their default profiles using this dedicated softwares.
Nvidia Control Panel:
- Right-click on your desktop and launch the Nvidia Control Panel from there.
- Find and click on 3D Settings.
- Navigate to the Restore default option, and click on it.
AMD Radeon application:
- Launch it by searching for it in your installed apps.
- Navigate to the settings gear icon from the top right corner. Now, you’ll find an option to perform a factory reset in the system settings.
3] Using Device Manager
You can find and check all the drivers installed on your Windows system using the Windows Device Manager. To reset your GPU settings to factory default, all you need to do is to uninstall the display drivers and reinstall them:
- Press Windows + X, and click on Device Manager from the list of options.
- Look for Display Adapters.
- Expand the display adapters option and select the GPU you are currently on. Right-click it.
- Choose the Uninstall device option.
- Restart your PC.
- Install the drivers again using your GPU’s dedicated software or from its official website. You can also return to the Device Manager to search and reinstall the drivers.
These steps reset the GPU settings back to default by uninstalling and reinstalling your display drivers.
4] Resetting GPU settings using Regedit
Regedit, or the Windows Registry Editor, is where all of your Windows settings are stored in the form of key values, and you can use it to make changes to your GPU settings as well.
- Press Windows + R key to launch the Run command. Type Regedit in it and hit the enter key.
- Once you’ve launched the Windows Registry Editor, navigate to the following path:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\DirectX
- Delete the keys for any desired apps, and doing so will reset the GPU preferences for that application back to default.
5] Using Display Driver Uninstaller
Also known as DDU, the Display Driver Uninstaller is a third-party application you can rely on for uninstalling the drivers from Windows. All you need to do is to select the driver you wish to uninstall and proceed with the uninstallation. Reinstalling them will reset the GPU settings to their default factory settings.
Download Display Driver Uninstaller
Conclusion:
Making changes to GPU settings is inevitable. We must exercise caution when tampering with our GPU settings. However, if we end up in a troublesome situation, knowing the steps to escape it is best.
In this article, we reviewed a few ways to reset your GPU settings back to default factory settings, which can save the day for you. That said, we’ll wrap this article up in hopes that it will help you.
What Is the Keyboard Shortcut to Reset GPU?
Did you know that pressing the Windows Key, plus Shift, Ctrl, and B simultaneously, will refresh the GPU instantly? Your screen might go blank briefly, but everything will be restored. It’s the most fabulous shortcut to reset GPU.