NVIDIA Drivers - Avoid Problems

Nice tutorial, and it will avoid some problems compared to a normal windows update install.
However, Nvidia drivers tend to leave a lot of trash behind in registry and folders.
Since this tutorial is meant for people with driver issues, people who might want to try previous drivers because the current one gives problems, or people with a messed up driver store full of old leftovers,
I would recommend a cleaner removal of display drivers:

-Make sure any graphics related program, like afterburner, is not running while uninstalling
-or preferably start in Windows safe mode!
(in safe mode, windows will use the standard VGA driver, so there will be less problems with 'files in use' while uninstalling)
-Instead of NVidia's built in uninstaller i would recommend using a 2nd party removal tool, like DDU from guru3d. (It's supposed to also trace, and remove, leftovers from earlier driver installs).
-Then reboot windows in normal mode and install the new NVidia driver:
--choose custom install
--check: "perform a clean installation"
--uncheck all the things that you don't use:
If you don't use 3d, there's no use to install 3d vision.
If you don't use sound over hdmi there's no use of installing the hd audio driver.
(I only install the graphics driver and PhysX).
-Then install, reboot, and you should be good to go.

The files in c:/Nvidia are just the installation files that are extracted by the setup package. they are useful when a new driver gives problems, so you can reinstall the previous version.
When the new driver is fine, they are safe to remove from your drive. (they just use a lot of space).

hello sir, i wanna ask to you .
i have installed my nvidia with your steps , but after i install it , my nvidia become blur and there is a line in nvidia controll panel. and i cannot play game too.
can you help me to fix it ?

After step 8....after it installs the graphics adaptor it requests a reboot. Only problem is when computer reboots IT INSTALLS the Nvidia driver I just uninstalled.

Should I skip this reboot and try step 9 immediately ?

If Nvidia installer package worked correctly in 1st place........lot of people having problem using it with all panels black right after using it and right after windows splash screen appears...only way out seems to be letting windows due a repair (which is a roll back in time). Only reason I am trying methodology in this thread which isnt working out for me either. All I want is the updated driver so when pop for the Dell 4K panel......

^ yup windows update is set fine. I disabled my internet adaptor as well. After it installed the vga driver and before rebooting I checked control panel once again. To my surprise their was nvidia stuff appearing----so somewhere it is picking nvidia up. I deleted those yet again and rebooted. It reboot using generic display driver. I ran the latest nvidia update----and----same as last night.....got to windows splash screen and then 2 of the 3 panels went to amber status light and main display went off windows splash screen to grey and did nothing whatsoever.

I had to run windows startup repair for the FOURTH TIME since last night. Usually I do not let computer problems lick me but I am in gear of having to do a complete system recovery if I keep mucking around. Each repair is taking longer and longer. I guess a 4K display isn't necessary but I do want to get a larger 4th monitor to replace one I broke a year ago.

I think it must have something to do with display fusion and/or nvidia not being completely deleted. OR perhaps I am not supposed to connect anything but one monitor until after the update. No idea ---so confused. 1st time I changed from AMD to nvidia there was a bunch of flickering and scary stuff going on and I even had to plug and unplug cables etc but all worked. Then I did one update and that went well. Now all of a sudden no go. I guess I will be stuck on driver 311.06. Ah well.

Funny thing s MANY people have been having problems with the same exact symptom--black screens after windows splash for over a year and still no solution. Finally there was a detailed thread over there that practically mirrors the advice in this one. Then a later update says dont use that. Known problem. Have to use some sort of driver cleaner (display driver Uninstaller) to get all remnants and blah blah blah.

Why it have to be so hard. Ive built multiple systems. Up until now (except the new ASUS MB that required a BIOS update right out of the box to work with my graphics card) it has been pretty easy. I mean most things I can solve in a few hours.

Sorry for long winded rant. I guess I could get the recommended driver cleaner and make sure display fusion is perhaps deleted as well and try yet again...but what a hassle.

I should be able to use the latest Dell 4K at normal HD resolution and fill screen, correct?

argh--maddening.