Install the generic Realtek drivers, but Windows is replacing them

TTSVids105 · 14 Aug 2020

10 2004, build 19041.450.

I'm trying to install the generic Realtek Audio Drivers from their website, but Windows is constantly replacing them with the OEM's (Intel Smart Audio with separate Speakers and Headphone listings and no audio effects).

Install the generic Realtek drivers, but Windows is replacing them-screenshot-1155-.png

The only way I can use the generic drivers is to use the setup program of the generic drivers to remove the Dell Drivers and replace them with the generic drivers. However, on next restart, Windows replaces them with the Dell drivers. I'm not using the generic Windows drivers as they produce audio crackling after a while, and I majorly use headphones so I have to unplug and plug them back in to reset the audio.

How do I stop this permanently without using Group Policy (as I'm on W10 Home)?

Tonyb · 15 Aug 2020

you can't if your system is a UAD driver the new ones you can't stop the process, your system probable calls for a UAD driver, and you are installing the wrong driver for your system , if you have no audio effects and stuff then you have a UAD driver, and that is the proper driver for your system. i would go to your PC manufacture and grab the driver, which should give you its audio hub interface you can use. it won't solve your lack of enhancements but you will have the proper driver.

TTSVids105 · 16 Aug 2020

Tonyb said:

you can't if your system is a UAD driver the new ones you can't stop the process, your system probable calls for a UAD driver, and you are installing the wrong driver for your system , if you have no audio effects and stuff then you have a UAD driver, and that is the proper driver for your system. i would go to your PC manufacture and grab the driver, which should give you its audio hub interface you can use. it won't solve your lack of enhancements but you will have the proper driver.

Since this is the case, I might as well live without audio enhancements

What is a UAD driver?

Tonyb · 16 Aug 2020

Universal Audio Driver its the new format from realtek and other driver company's, i to have no audio enhancements, its the wave of the future so they say i think its a step backwards myself. You could get yourself a USB audio Dac, or if you have a desktop creative sound cards are good.

TTSVids105 · 16 Aug 2020

Tonyb said:

Universal Audio Driver its the new format from realtek and other driver company's, i to have no audio enhancements, its the wave of the future so they say i think its a step backwards myself. You could get yourself a USB audio Dac, or if you have a desktop creative sound cards are good.

Definitely a step back. I liked the enhancements and the Speakers and Headphones being rolled into one device.

Just reinstalled the Dell drivers, I’ll roll with these for the foreseeable future. Thanks for the help Tonyb.

Tonyb · 16 Aug 2020

No problem my friend have a awesome day if i can be of any further help don't hesitate to ask.

HeM · 17 Aug 2020

TTSVids105 said:

...However, on next restart, Windows replaces them with the Dell drivers...
How do I stop this permanently without using Group Policy (as I'm on W10 Home)?

Hi @TTSVids105,

You may try (if you haven't yet) this below:

First, let Windows download whatever it likes. Install (if doesn't exist) your desired driver.

Then open "Device Manager" (right click on Start menu), expand "Sound, video and game controllers":

Install the generic Realtek drivers, but Windows is replacing them-devm.jpg

Double click on your sound device, go to "Driver" tab and click on "Update driver":

Install the generic Realtek drivers, but Windows is replacing them-upd.jpg

Then, click on "Browse my computer for drivers":

Install the generic Realtek drivers, but Windows is replacing them-brows.jpg

...and then, click on "Let me pick from a list..."

Install the generic Realtek drivers, but Windows is replacing them-letp.jpg

Normally, you should see all available drivers in there:

Install the generic Realtek drivers, but Windows is replacing them-selec.jpg

Select your desired driver and that's all. Windows should not automatically change it, anymore.

NOTE: Do not uninstall required (not used) drivers.

I hope, above solution will solve your issue.

TTSVids105 · 17 Aug 2020

HeM said:

Hi @TTSVids105,

You may try (if you haven't yet) this below:

First, let Windows download whatever it likes. Install (if doesn't exist) your desired driver.

Then open "Device Manager" (right click on Start menu), expand "Sound, video and game controllers":

Double click on your sound device, go to "Driver" tab and click on "Update driver":

Then, click on "Browse my computer for drivers":

...and then, click on "Let me pick from a list..."

Normally, you should see all available drivers in there:

Select your desired driver and that's all. Windows should not automatically change it, anymore.

NOTE: Do not uninstall required (not used) drivers.

I hope, above solution will solve your issue.

I’ve done that a lot of times, but I experience audio crackling when using the HDA drivers (this is the one dated 2020, the 2001 drivers don’t work at all)

HeM · 18 Aug 2020

TTSVids105 said:

I’ve done that a lot of times, but I experience audio crackling when using the HDA drivers (this is the one dated 2020, the 2001 drivers don’t work at all)

Normally, at the last step you should see 3 drivers: Generic Windows, Realtek and Intel, as compatible to your hardware.

You said that installing Realtek, Intel driver is removed. Then, on restart, Windows installs again Intel, right?

The question is, when Windows installs Intel driver, will previous Realtek one be uninstalled, automatically?
If not (and I think, this is the case), you can find and select previous Realtek on the "Select the device driver..." dialog. Then, Windows should not change it again.

That's what happens here with Windows Generic and Realtek driver which I can toggle them, if and when I want...:

Install the generic Realtek drivers, but Windows is replacing them-realt.jpg

...but of course, I've got an old laptop with different hardware.

Also, another idea: If after Windows auto-change driver, you cannot find previous Realtek one in "Select the device driver..." dialog, you may uncheck "Show compatible hardware" and search for it in Realtek section:

Install the generic Realtek drivers, but Windows is replacing them-rea.jpg

Perhaps, after Intel auto-installation, system thinks that previous installed Realtek driver is not compatible.
It happens sometimes...

hsehestedt · 18 Aug 2020

Something I have not seen mentioned yet: In your first post you noted that the driver Windows is installing is an "Intel Smart Audio" driver. That id NOT the realtek driver. That is distinctly seperate driver. It sounds to me like that may be a driver for the video card, for example, to allow playing of audio over an HDMI or other digital connection.