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Uninstalling Virtual Display Driver

Bud edited this page Dec 19, 2024 · 1 revision

Uninstalling Virtual Display Driver: Complete Guide

This guide provides step-by-step instructions to completely remove the Virtual Display Driver from your system, including registry keys, certificates, and associated folders. The guide also includes an easy uninstall method for those who used the installer to install the driver.



1. Uninstalling the Driver via Apps or Control Panel (Easy Method)

If you used the installer to set up the Virtual Display Driver, it can be uninstalled easily from the Apps settings or Control Panel. The easy uninstaller will also remove associated folders and registry keys automatically.


Via Settings:

  1. Press Windows + I to open Settings.
  2. Go to Apps.
  3. Under Installed apps, search for Virtual Display Driver.
  4. Select the application and click Uninstall.
  5. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the uninstallation. The uninstaller will remove any folders and registry keys related to the driver.


Via Control Panel:

  1. Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog.
  2. Type control and press Enter to open the Control Panel.
  3. Go to Programs > Programs and Features.
  4. Find Virtual Display Driver in the list.
  5. Right-click it and select Uninstall.
  6. Follow the on-screen instructions to remove the driver. The uninstaller will remove any folders and registry keys related to the driver.



2. Removing the Root Certificates (When updating to later drivers)

As part of the uninstallation process, you may want to remove any root certificates associated with the Virtual Display Driver. However, note that this step is being deprecated. In the future, certificates will be automatically signed so no need to import any custom Certificates.


Steps to Remove Root Certificates:

  1. Press Windows + S to open the search bar and type Manage computer certificates. Open the app that appears.
  2. In the Certificates window, in the left sidebar, expand Trusted Root Certification Authorities and click on the Certificates folder.
  3. Scroll through the list of certificates and look for Virtual Display Driver.
  4. Right-click on Virtual Display Driver and click Delete. When prompted with a warning, click Yes to confirm the deletion.
  5. Now, expand Trusted Publishers in the sidebar and click the Certificates folder.
  6. Scroll down to find Virtual Display Driver again.
  7. Right-click on Virtual Display Driver and click Delete. Confirm the deletion when prompted.



3. Deleting Associated Folders

By default, the Virtual Display Driver files are stored in the following location:
C:\VirtualDisplayDriver
However, if you have set a custom path in the registry under the VDDPATH key, you will need to use that path instead of the default location.


Steps to Delete the Folder:

  1. Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog.
  2. Type regedit and press Enter to open the Registry Editor.
  3. Navigate to the following registry path:
    Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\MikeTheTech\VirtualDisplayDriver
  4. Look for the VDDPATH value. This will contain the custom folder path where the Virtual Display Driver was installed.
  5. If no custom path is set, the default path is C:\VirtualDisplayDriver.
    If a custom path is set, proceed with that path. For example, if the registry value is D:\Drivers\VirtualDisplayDriver, use that folder path instead.
  6. Navigate to the folder indicated by the VDDPATH value or C:\VirtualDisplayDriver if no custom path is set.
  7. Right-click on the VirtualDisplayDriver folder and select Delete.
  8. Confirm the deletion by clicking Yes.



4. Removing Registry Keys

To fully remove all traces of the Virtual Display Driver, you may also need to delete its registry keys. This can be done by following these steps:


Steps to Remove Registry Keys:

  1. Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog.
  2. Type regedit and press Enter to open the Registry Editor.
  3. Navigate to the following registry path:
    Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\MikeTheTech\VirtualDisplayDriver
  4. Right-click on the VirtualDisplayDriver key and select Delete.
  5. Confirm the deletion by clicking Yes.


Warning: Editing the registry can cause issues with your system if not done correctly. It’s important to back up the registry before making any changes.



5. Manual Uninstallation Steps (if not using installer)

If you did not use an installer to set up the driver, you can manually remove all associated components by following the steps below.


Steps:

  1. Uninstall the driver from Device Manager:

    • Press Windows + X and select Device Manager.
    • Locate the Virtual Display Driver under Display Adapters.
    • Right-click on it and select Uninstall device.
    • If prompted, check Delete the driver software for this device and confirm.
  2. Delete registry keys following the steps mentioned above.

  3. Remove folders as mentioned above.


By following these steps, you should be able to completely remove the Virtual Display Driver from your system.



6. Final Notes

  • Root Certificates: The manual removal of root certificates is now deprecated and will be handled via a signed certificate in the future.
  • Registry Keys and Folders: Ensure all associated keys and folders are deleted to fully remove the driver from your system.
  • Backup: Always consider backing up the registry and your system before making any significant changes.


For more assistance or troubleshooting, feel free to contact support.



This wiki page serves as a comprehensive guide to removing the Virtual Display Driver completely from your system.