How to Uninstall a Misbehaving Driver in Windows 10 Without Resetting Your OS

If you've installed a driver on your laptop and now it's stuck in a loading screen or cannot start Windows, you may be tempted to reset your Windows. However, there is another way. You can boot into Safe Mode and uninstall the problematic driver. Follow these detailed steps to resolve the issue:

Boot into Safe Mode

Boot into Safe Mode is a reliable method to resolve issues caused by recently installed drivers without the need to reset your entire operating system.

Force Restart:

n - Power on your laptop and as soon as you see the Windows logo press and hold the power button until the laptop shuts down. Repeat this process 2-3 times. On the third restart, Windows should enter the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE).

Access Advanced Options:

n - In the WinRE menu, select Troubleshoot.
- From Troubleshoot, select Advanced options.
- Click on Startup Settings.
- Click on Restart.

Select Safe Mode:

n - After your computer restarts, you’ll see a list of options. Press 4 or F4 to start in Safe Mode. If you need to access the internet, press 5 or F5 for Safe Mode with Networking.

Uninstall the Driver

Once in Safe Mode, follow these steps to remove the problematic driver:

Open Device Manager:

n - Right-click on the Start button and select Device Manager.

Find the Driver:

n - Locate the device associated with the driver you installed. It might be under categories like Display adapters, Network adapters, or Sound, video and game controllers.

Uninstall the Driver:

n - Right-click on the device and select Uninstall device.
- If prompted, check the box that says Delete the driver software for this device if applicable, and then click Uninstall.

n - After uninstalling, restart your laptop normally and see if it boots up correctly.

Additional Troubleshooting

If you still have issues booting normally, consider the following troubleshooting steps:

System Restore:

If you have a restore point created before the driver installation, you can restore your system to that point.

n - In the WinRE, go to Troubleshoot.
- From Troubleshoot, select Advanced options.
- Choose System Restore and follow the prompts.

Uninstall Recent Updates:

Recently installed Windows updates can sometimes cause issues. In the WinRE, you can go to Troubleshoot.
- From Troubleshoot, select Advanced options.
- Choose Uninstall Updates.

If these methods do not resolve the issue, further troubleshooting may be required. Consider seeking assistance from a professional or checking online forums and support resources for additional guidance.