Windows 11 Update Replaces AMD GPU Drivers with Older Versions

Windows 11 can automatically install drivers and replace newer drivers with outdated versions, potentially causing issues with specific software.

Based on reports we have received via email, our forums, and Reddit, it appears that Windows Update is incorrectly replacing AMD drivers in Windows 11.

This issue causes users to experience an error message titled "AMD Software: Adrenalin Edition Warning" that says "Windows Update may have automatically swapped out your AMD graphics driver. Therefore, the version of AMD software you launched is not compatible with the graphics driver currently installed.

In a support document, AMD has confirmed that Windows Update has installed a Universal Windows Platform (UWP) driver for Radeon GPU hardware, which is incompatible with the currently installed version of AMD software.

The manufacturer may have provided this driver to Microsoft. It is possible to receive a warning message when launching an unsupported version of AMD software. This is because there are now two versions of AMD software installed on the system.

To address this issue, AMD has provided the following recommendations:

For users who prefer to use AMD software on their system, these steps can prevent Windows updates from installing AMD Radeon graphics drivers using System Properties:

1. Press the Windows + S keys together to open Search.
2. Type Device Installation Settings.
3. Click Change device installation settings, then select No (your device might not work as expected).
   Click Save changes.

Alternatively, users can reinstall AMD software using the latest package available at AMD.com.

For users who prefer to use UWP drivers for their AMD graphics, they can uninstall AMD Software: Adrenalin Edition via Windows Settings | Apps and Features and continue using custom OEM driver software.

Preventing Windows Update from Replacing AMD Drivers in Windows 11

As mentioned at the beginning, Windows Update in Windows 11 may detect and automatically install older hardware drivers. While they work smoothly most of the time, unexpected issues can sometimes arise.

In this case, compatibility issues with AMD software will be encountered, and there are two methods to block automatic driver updates in the operating system.

If you use Windows 11 Pro or Enterprise, use the Group Policy and follow these steps:

• Open the Group Policy Editor.
• Go to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates
• Open Windows Components > Windows Update
• Double-click "Do not include drivers with Windows Update" in the group policy.
• Enable the policy.
• Click OK.
• Restart.

If you use Windows 11 Home, you may not have access to the Group Policy Editor. In this case, use the Windows Registry Editor and follow these steps:

• Open the Registry Editor.
• Go to the following path:
• HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionDriverSearching
• Double-click on the DWORD key SearchOrderConfig.
• Change the value from 1 to 0.
• Click OK.
• Restart.