Still, not everything is rosy in Camp Green since NVIDIA’s drivers can also be CPU hogs.
That’s because of all the features packed into them, like Geforce Now.
However, f you’re not using those features, why have them eat up your PC’s resources?
However, NVCleanstall offers more options and allows a genuinely fluff-free, all-around better installation.
Let’s see how.
Why the NVIDIA Bloat?
Well, no, not really, for this also implies NVIDIA would know what’s bestfor us.
However, we’re all individuals and don’t use our computers the same way.
They’re not basic pieces of software that enable other software to show graphics on our screens anymore.
Today they’re (also) bundles of apps that take advantage of a GPU’s advanced features.
For individual users, even up to half of that “stuff” might be useless.
NVIDIA’s own driver setup won’t allow you to remove most of those “features” entirely.
Thankfully, NVCleanstall does.
However, all these methods come with some, as many would say, fluff.
Thankfully, there’s a solution to that problem.
Its name isNVCleanstall, a free tool created and hosted by TechPowerUp.
You wouldn’t want to give low-level access to your PC to strangers.
you could use the defaults to have the program guess the best version of the drivers for your hardware.
Alternatively, change theInstall best driver for my hardwareselection toManually select a driver versionto do precisely that.
We suggest you avoid those to minimize any chance of running into problems.
The next step is where most of the magic happens.
Use those helpful snippets to make up your mind on what to keep or lose.
NVCleanstall also offers three presets, presented as links close to the bottom of its window.
Despite seemingly offering a lot of choices, in practice, many components rely on one another.
Thus, you’re able to’t freely enable and disable anything in the components list.
Before you know it, you could end up with a complete driver installation again.
Did you decide to enable ShadowPlay to have support for hardware-accelerated video capture?
You’ll also need Virtual Audio and Process Monitor.
Still, that’s the best way to get the cleanest driver installation possible.
Start by deselecting everything but theDisplay Driver (required)or choosing theMinimumpreset.
Then, add only the features you desire, enabling all needed components.
Finally, click onNext.
NVCleanstall will begin preparing the installation files.
We suggest you enableDisable Installer Telemetry & AdvertisingandPerform a Clean Installation.
EnableInstall NVIDIA Control Panel App from Windows Storeif you want an additional path to the driver’s options.
LeaveUnattended Express Installationdisabled to see every step of the driver installation process.
Some of the other tweaks might need it.
When ready, click onNextagain.
Launch it and chooseAgree and continue.
Go forCustom (Advanced)instead ofExpress (Recommended)path, and clickNext.
Check that only the components you chose are included and will be installed, and clickNextagain.
After the driver installation completes and the installer exits, you might return to NVCleanstall and close its window.
Despite losing some components, your core drivers will remain untouched.
From here on, it’s smooth sailing until the next update.
When NVIDIA releases a new version of its drivers, skip the official installation.
Instead, go through the steps we saw to upgrade only the parts you’d prefer.
For most people, we can safely guess FrameView SDK won’t be among them!
