How to Fix Windows Update May Have Automatically Replaced Your AMD Drivers

Why Windows Update Replaces AMD Drivers

Windows Update is essential for keeping your system secure and up-to-date, but sometimes it can cause unexpected issues, such as automatically replacing your AMD drivers. In this article, we'll delve into why this happens and provide solutions to prevent and fix this problem.

Before we delve into solutions, let's understand why Windows Update might automatically replace your AMD drivers. There are a few reasons for this:

1. Driver Compatibility: Windows Update may detect that the current AMD drivers installed on your system are outdated or incompatible with the latest Windows version.
2. Microsoft's Driver Policy: Microsoft has a policy of providing generic drivers through Windows Update to ensure basic functionality for most hardware. However, these generic drivers may not offer optimal performance or features compared to manufacturer-provided drivers.
3. Automatic Driver Updates: By default, Windows Update is configured to automatically download and install driver updates. This can lead to AMD drivers being replaced without your consent.

How to Fix Windows Update May Have Automatically Replaced Your AMD Drivers

Now, let's explore how to prevent and fix this issue:

Method 1: Disable Automatic Driver Updates

One way to prevent Windows Update from automatically replacing your AMD drivers is to disable automatic driver updates. Here's how to do it:

1. Press Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
2. Type gpedit.msc and press Enter to open the Local Group Policy Editor.
3. Navigate to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > System > Device Installation > Device Installation Restrictions.
4. Double-click on "Prevent installation of devices that match any of these device IDs."
5. Select "Enabled" and click on the "Show" button.
6. Enter the hardware IDs for your AMD devices. You can find these IDs in Device Manager by right-clicking on the device, selecting Properties, and navigating to the Details tab.
7. Click OK to save the changes.

Method 2: Install AMD Drivers Manually

Instead of relying on Windows Update, you can manually download and install the latest AMD drivers from the official AMD website. Here's how:

1. Visit the AMD website (https://www.amd.com/en/support).
2. Select your product family, product line, and product model.
3. Download the latest drivers for your AMD hardware.
4. Run the downloaded file and follow the on-screen instructions to install the drivers.

Method 3: Rollback AMD Drivers

If Windows Update has already replaced your AMD drivers, you can rollback to the previous version. Here's how:

1. Press Windows key + X and select Device Manager from the menu.
2. Expand the Display adapters category.
3. Right-click on your AMD graphics card and select Properties.
4. Navigate to the Driver tab and click on the Roll Back Driver button if available. If the Roll Back Driver button is grayed out, it means that there's no previous driver version to roll back to.
5. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the rollback process.

Conclusion

Experiencing Windows Update automatically replacing AMD drivers can be frustrating, but with the solutions provided in this guide, you can prevent and fix this issue effectively. Whether you choose to disable automatic driver updates, install AMD drivers manually, or rollback to a previous driver version, you'll be able to regain control over your AMD hardware and ensure optimal performance. If you have any questions or encounter any difficulties, feel free to leave a comment below, and we'll be happy to assist you.