Can't switch graphics on Windows 10

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  1. Posts : 7
    Windows 10 Home 64-bit
       #1

    Can't switch graphics on Windows 10


    Hi. Thanks in advance for your time.

    Ever since I upgraded to Windows 10, I can't switch graphics on my Y560.
    The light that indicates if my AMD card is active is always on. Hitting the hardware switch does nothing. My notification shows both my Intel and the AMD icons.
    Right clicking the desktop and selecting "Configure switchable graphics" take me to the picture attached.

    Please advise.
    Can't switch graphics on Windows 10-1.png
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 1,249
    Windows 8.1, Win10Pro
       #2

    Sorry to tell you this, but unless Lenovov has Win10 drivers for your laptop, you're probably out of luck. Switchable graphics requires both special hardware and special drivers -- both of which come preinstalled on a prebuilt laptop. When you replace that OS with a different one, you removed the special drivers -- replacing them with basic ones from Microsoft.

    You should check the Lenovo website for your laptop and also see if they have a support forum -- and see what options you have. Unless Lenovo is working on Win10 drivers for your laptop, to get switchable graphics back, you may have to consider going back to the OS the laptop came with preinstalled.
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 7
    Windows 10 Home 64-bit
    Thread Starter
       #3

    Is it possible that I deactivate the AMD graphics somehow?
    I don't play games on my laptop anymore. And running both cards together drains my battery within an hour. I'll be heading out for a conference tomorrow and I need it to last for much more than that.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 3,506
    Windows 10 Pro 64-bit 21H1 (May 2021 build 19043.1083)
       #4

    Since the problem is due to generic Microsoft drivers, then why don't replace them with the appropriate drivers from manufacturer's site? Fortunately Windows 10 is backwards compatible with earlier Windows versions, so you can use Windows 8 or 7 or even Vista drivers. Download the latest drivers from the notebook's support site, install them, and then use the utility as described here to hide the driver updates so they won't be again replaced by Windows Update.

    If and when the manufacturer decides to release Windows 10 drivers later, you can download them and update again. Until then you should be able to use the switchable feature with the latest current drivers. I would also have a look at AMD's site for newer drivers of the hardware.
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 7
    Windows 10 Home 64-bit
    Thread Starter
       #5

    I think I've got Win 10 drivers from the AMD site? Do I still have to hide driver updates?
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 7
    Windows 10 Home 64-bit
    Thread Starter
       #6

    kaishuvam7 said:
    I think I've got Win 10 drivers from the AMD site? Do I still have to hide driver updates?
    Nope. That does not solve anything.
    Could someone please tell me how to deactivate the AMD graphics? I really need to boost battery run time.
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 3,506
    Windows 10 Pro 64-bit 21H1 (May 2021 build 19043.1083)
       #7

    You could try disabling the AMD graphics adapter from Device Manager (click on search icon and type device to see it), but I don't know if doing so introduces any problems.
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 7
    Windows 10 Home 64-bit
    Thread Starter
       #8

    spapakons said:
    You could try disabling the AMD graphics adapter from Device Manager (click on search icon and type device to see it), but I don't know if doing so introduces any problems.
    Doing that only corrupts my screen res. The led indicator for the card is still on, so I guess the battery will drain accordingly.
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 1,249
    Windows 8.1, Win10Pro
       #9

    spapakons said:
    .. Windows 10 is backwards compatible with earlier Windows versions, so you can use Windows 8 or 7 or even Vista drivers...
    While that may be true in some cases, it certainly is not true in ALL cases. I have two laptops, both of which worked great on the Win7 drivers, neither of which will work on those same drivers in Win10.., Trying to install them gets the dreaded "not for this version" error message.
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 3,506
    Windows 10 Pro 64-bit 21H1 (May 2021 build 19043.1083)
       #10

    Maybe you have to hack the INF files. I have seen some Intel graphics drivers that allow to be installed in Windows 7 but quit in 8 because in the INF file there is a header [WINNT6.2...] and nothing underneath with the comment that this is not supposed to install in Windows 8 (Windows NT 6.2). In that case you delete such headers and it should install. Or you may have to change the header for Windows 7 (Windows NT 6.1) to 6.4 (Windows 10) to allow it installing on 10. Open the INF file with Notepad and examine it carefully for anything suspicious, then modify it to work in Windows 10 (Windows NT 6.4)
      My Computer


 

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