Just removed the Intel display driver with DDU... and nothing happened

rogerrabbit · 2026-07-19T03:24:01-0400

I just removed my Intel display driver using DDU (Display Driver Uninstaller), but nothing happened (no black screen). However, Windows keeps reinstalling the driver.

Why do I need the Intel graphics driver and the other drivers that come with it (Management Engine, etc.)? I am not a gamer, and I don't have a dedicated graphics card—only the integrated one on my motherboard. My monitor is an old Samsung Syncmaster P 2270, and my screen resolution is 1080 x 920.

Using Driver Store Explorer (Rapr), I can't find any other display driver replacing the removed one on my PC. Does anyone know where this driver (the one actually being used) is located?

I can't see any difference between this mysterious driver and the Intel driver, either on my PC or on my virtual machine (Windows 7 with Python 2.7).

I think it is the only driver Windows is constantly reinstalling. Can I safely stop all Windows driver updates?

Thanks!

joeandmarg0 · 2026-07-19T06:25:02-0400

In the Search box,type in---dxdiag---and the Display page gives the current drivers.
The System page shows a WHQL box which should be checked.This only allows Microsoft approved drivers to be downloaded.If you want to try older or not yet approved drivers,then temporarily uncheck it.
Do not leave it permanently unchecked otherwise dodgy drivers can be downloaded

Helmut · 2026-07-19T06:54:32-0400

You should not be doing that. You only have integrated graphics(iGPU).

It is an essential driver for Windows as it requires a few basic 3D graphics features.

Device Manager > Display adapters > expand > Properties > Driver tab.
The last 4 digits are the Intel driver version.

Just let Windows Updates get on with it, integrated graphics(iGPU) driver and Intel ME drivers, firmware etc.

Integrated graphics these days have all the 3D features of a dedicated graphics card all be it at a lower performance level.

rogerrabbit · 2026-07-19T07:57:27-0400

joeandmarg0 said:
In the Search box,type in---dxdiag---and the Display page gives the current drivers.

Thank you very much, the dxdiag hint was of great help. I found the driver that substitutes to the Intel driver (= basicdisplay.sys) in "C:\Windows\System32\DriverStore\FileRepository\basicdisplay.inf".

Helmut said:
You should not be doing that. You only have integrated graphics(iGPU).

It is an essential driver for Windows as it requires a few basic 3D graphics features.

... ...

Just let Windows Updates get on with it, integrated graphics(iGPU) driver and Intel ME drivers, firmware etc.

Integrated graphics these days have all the 3D features of a dedicated graphics card all be it at a lower performance level.

Sorry Helmut, but I was unable to derive from your reply the exact reason why I should not use the basic diver. My experience so far is that there is no difference (I tried different resolutions with my virtual machine, youtube videos and other tests). Could you perhaps explain a bit more ?

Thanks

Helmut · 2026-07-19T08:55:37-0400

The reason is overall efficiency. Using your iGPU to do in hardware what a basic display driver might do with software emulation using the CPU. Sometimes called Hardware acceleration.

e.g. Say a YouTube video, it is a lot more efficient using the iGPU with it's full driver using it's video hardware rendering routines, CODECS etc.

There are dozens of these sorts of reasons, I cannot go through all of them.

Microsoft basic display adapter in Windows | Microsoft Support

What is the Microsoft Basic Display Adapter in Windows.

support.microsoft.com

rogerrabbit · 2026-07-19T09:59:56-0400

Helmut said:
Microsoft basic display adapter in Windows | Microsoft Support

What is the Microsoft Basic Display Adapter in Windows.

support.microsoft.com

Thank you for the link !

I now understand a (little) bit ! I suppose the Intel driver is mainly for gaming (and IA in the future), ... both of which I consider as more or less superfluous. So I'll continue with the basic driver for the moment until I see the benefit of the Intel driver.

Thank you.

Helmut · 2026-07-19T10:51:34-0400

rogerrabbit said:
I suppose the Intel driver is mainly for gaming (and IA in the future), ... both of which I consider as more or less superfluous.

It's not superfluous. Your choice of not Gaming/AI is irrelevant.

rogerrabbit · 2026-07-19T11:07:23-0400

Helmut said:
It's not superfluous. Your choice of not Gaming/AI is irrelevant.

May be, I do not exclude changing mind. But explanations just stating an absolute truth, like: "Thus spoke Zarathustra" simply don't convince me"

.

HeavyHemi · 2026-07-19T11:18:12-0400

rogerrabbit said:
May be, I do not exclude changing mind. But explanations just stating an absolute truth, like: "Thus spoke Zarathustra" simply don't convince me" .

Saying the only input you have received in this thread is equivalent to 'shut up and listen' is not fair. You were given basic factual reasons why it is better to use the intel driver for an intel integrated igp than use the Microsoft basic display driver. Those reasons did not include 'gaming or AI'. That you are apparently unfamiliar with how PC drivers operate isn't our fault. There is no maybe, using the proper driver is the correct thing to do versus using the MS basic driver which is only intended to ensure that your display will work, not that it will work correctly or most efficiently.

glasskuter · 2026-07-19T11:29:19-0400

rogerrabbit said:
I suppose the Intel driver is mainly for gaming (and IA in the future)

You suppose wrong. Integrated graphics can run very few of today's games and has nothing to do with AI. That's why a discrete graphics card is necessary for a gamer. The Intel driver unlocks hardware acceleration and provides essential power management. Without it, you are limited to basic resolutions and have terrible performance.

rogerrabbit · 2026-07-19T12:41:24-0400

glasskuter said:
Integrated graphics can run very few of today's games and has nothing to do with AI.

Thank you for that statement. Yes you are right and my presumption (and it was only that) was wrong. I confused the "Intel driver vs basic driver"-debate with the "GPU vs CPU"- debate (not seeing the difference between iGPU and GPU). I googleed those terms after Helmut mentioned them in his first reply. In an article about GPU vs CPU, Intel and IBM mention that GPU is essentially, but not exclusively meant to be used for gaming and also more and more for IA:

CPU vs. GPU: What's the Difference?

Learn about the CPU vs GPU difference, explore uses and the architecture benefits, and their roles for accelerating deep-learning and AI.

www.intel.com

CPU vs. GPU for Machine Learning | IBM

Compared to general-purpose CPUs, powerful GPUs are typically preferred for demanding AI applications like machine learning, deep learning and neural networks.

www.ibm.com

I learned now, that the Intel graphics driver is not primarily meant to be used on designated graphic cards (GPU), but on the integrated graphic cards (iGPU).

What mainly contributed to my confusion is that the Intel display driver for integrated graphic cards is constantly updated (not by Windows, which re-installs older versions, but by Intel) to allow better performance on newer games (!).

So thank you again for your help !

HeavyHemi said:
That you are apparently unfamiliar with how PC drivers operate ...

I never contested this.

TairikuOkami · 2026-07-19T12:58:03-0400

rogerrabbit said:
Using Driver Store Explorer (Rapr)

It removes installed drivers, not those, that came with OS, you would need something like NTlite to remove them.

rogerrabbit said:
Does anyone know where this driver (the one actually being used) is located?

11 comes with default GPU drivers, so you would not get stuck at minimal resolution with 256 colors, like in XP.

rogerrabbit said:
I think it is the only driver Windows is constantly reinstalling. Can I safely stop all Windows driver updates?

Optional drivers do not install automatically by default.

rogerrabbit said:
Why do I need the Intel graphics driver and the other drivers that come with it (Management Engine, etc.)?

Intel Management Engine (chipset driver) tells PC, what drivers it needs to run properly.

rogerrabbit said:
What mainly contributed to my confusion is that the Intel display driver for integrated graphic cards is constantly updated (not by Windows, which re-installs older versions, but by Intel) to allow better performance on newer games (!).

If you Rollback the driver via Device manager, it should not install "a faulty" version again till the updated one is available.

Bree · 2026-07-19T14:43:09-0400

The Microsoft Basic Display driver is just what it says it is - the bare minimum needed to display the screen.

What it does not support are features that require the driver for your specific display. It doesn't support adjusting the brightness from within Windows, the nightlight function, and hibernation is disabled.

Just removed the Intel display driver with DDU... and nothing happened

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