How to stop Windows 10 automatically installing Realtek audio drivers?

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  1. Posts : 3
    Windows 10
       #11

    Found Solution


    Apologies for reviving an old thread, I've been having problems with the Realtek audio driver for a couple of weeks, there are very distracting and annoying volume changes caused by some auto level control in the driver that cannot be disabled, so I've been trying to get rid of the POS for the past couple of weeks but it keeps coming back with every restart. I found this thread when Googling for possible solutions. This is also my first post on these forums.

    The solution in this thread, to deny access to the Realtek folder worked for me, but on every restart/reboot Windows would try to install the driver, fail because folder access was denied, then re-install the Microsoft driver. I learned this from the Events tab in the properties dialogue. This extended the boot time and increased hard drive thrashing. So after a couple of hours thinking of options, this is what I came up with and its been working fine through several restart/reboots:

    1- Do not deny access to the Realtek folder. Let the driver install and take over.

    2- Go to Contol Panel>Advanced System Settings>Hardware tab. Click on Device Installation Settings and choose 'No (your device might not work as expected)' to prevent Windows from automatically downloading device drivers.

    3- Go to Device Manager. Right-click Realtek HD Audio Device and choose 'Disable'.

    4- Right-click Realtek HD Audio Device again and this time choose 'Update Driver'.

    A Dialogue will appear with options to automatically search for the driver online, search on disk or select from a list. Choose to select from a list. A list will appear containing the Realtek driver and the Microsoft generic driver. Select the Microsoft driver (High Definition Audio Device) and OK. You will get a warning about compatibility but ignore it.

    5- Restart. When the system comes back up open the sound mixer. You should see in the window titlebar that it is using the High Definition Audio Device.

    6- Just one more thing to do. Right-click the speaker icon in the task bar and chose Playback devices. Select Speakers then click on Properties. Go to the Advanced tab and change the sample rate and bit depth to the highest possible on your system.

    Happy listening.
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 2
    Windows 10
       #12

    @Ripper - that does not work for me. When I try "Update Driver" I am never offered the Microsoft driver. I'm not offered anything: The system just assumes that the Realtek driver is the only one I ever want!

    It does work - briefly, until I get the forced "update" to Realtek - with the Microsoft HD driver. I have disabled automatic driver updates, I removed the Realtek files, but nothing works. If I uninstall the Realtek driver in the device manager I get a working sound - for a minute, then Windows 10 has installed and switched to the Realtek driver again. If I follow your advice the only option is Realtek to begin with, never a choice!

    EDIT

    What seems to work is that when after following the linked suggestions I add a step "Rollback driver" instead of "Update driver" (which does nothing since it only confirms Realtek as the only available option). The rollback went back to the Microsoft driver and for the last 10 minutes has stayed there (the previous automatic "upgrades" to Realtek took place within the first minute of starting the laptop).

    This only works if there wasn't an update from Realtek driver to a newer Realtek driver, because then the rollback would just be to the previous Realtek version.
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 20
    Windows
       #13

    I have never tried but an option could be, download the driver from realtek, unpack the files and open the folder. Afther this, open the *.inf file of the downloaded driver and change DRIVER VERSION and/or, give it a higher number than what windows offer. save the changes and try to install.

    If this works, windows will think that the realtek provided driver is newer and will not update. Never tried but I think there might be a big chance that the trick could work.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 2
    Windows 10
       #14

    EDIT

    Oh sorry, should have read it more carefully. Never mind.
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 659
    Windows 10 1709 Pro x64 (Fall Creators Update)
       #15

    I would try this How-To-Geek: How to Uninstall and Block Updates and Drivers on Windows 10

    I have tried this, and it works. :)
      My Computers


  6. Posts : 1
    windows 10 pro
       #16

    HUGE HUGE Thanks to Ripper! Your solution works great!

    I manage over 50 computers at work running Windows 10 and this was becoming a major issue for us. I followed your solution to the letter, and it instantly resolves the problem.

    Just FYI, I tried many many other solutions on this forum and on the web in general and none of them worked except this.

    Also, one lame workaround is to use headphones with USB connection instead of 3.5mm jack.
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 1
    windows 10
       #17

    this completly solved the problem, thanks
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 1
    windows 10 64 bit
       #18

    Working fix for my laptop


    Ripper said:
    Apologies for reviving an old thread, I've been having problems with the Realtek audio driver for a couple of weeks, there are very distracting and annoying volume changes caused by some auto level control in the driver that cannot be disabled, so I've been trying to get rid of the POS for the past couple of weeks but it keeps coming back with every restart. I found this thread when Googling for possible solutions. This is also my first post on these forums.

    The solution in this thread, to deny access to the Realtek folder worked for me, but on every restart/reboot Windows would try to install the driver, fail because folder access was denied, then re-install the Microsoft driver. I learned this from the Events tab in the properties dialogue. This extended the boot time and increased hard drive thrashing. So after a couple of hours thinking of options, this is what I came up with and its been working fine through several restart/reboots:

    1- Do not deny access to the Realtek folder. Let the driver install and take over.

    2- Go to Contol Panel>Advanced System Settings>Hardware tab. Click on Device Installation Settings and choose 'No (your device might not work as expected)' to prevent Windows from automatically downloading device drivers.

    3- Go to Device Manager. Right-click Realtek HD Audio Device and choose 'Disable'.

    4- Right-click Realtek HD Audio Device again and this time choose 'Update Driver'.

    A Dialogue will appear with options to automatically search for the driver online, search on disk or select from a list. Choose to select from a list. A list will appear containing the Realtek driver and the Microsoft generic driver. Select the Microsoft driver (High Definition Audio Device) and OK. You will get a warning about compatibility but ignore it.

    5- Restart. When the system comes back up open the sound mixer. You should see in the window titlebar that it is using the High Definition Audio Device.

    6- Just one more thing to do. Right-click the speaker icon in the task bar and chose Playback devices. Select Speakers then click on Properties. Go to the Advanced tab and change the sample rate and bit depth to the highest possible on your system.

    Happy listening.

    OMG. I just registered to show my love to you bro. I've been trying EVERYTHING, but nothing worked until i found you <3
    My laptop is Clevo P750ZM same as / Kunshan P751 / Eurocom P5 Pro / Origin EON15-X / Sager NP9773
    (for others, who need to save some time and are looking for a solution).
    This is the ONLY fix that worked for my laptop and i've been reading and trying for two days now.
    MAD LOVE to Ripper <3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3
    Last edited by PeterPanda; 14 Nov 2016 at 09:36. Reason: Needed to add more info, to help others
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 2
    10
       #19

    my fix


    I tried all the above recommendations, none worked for me.
    I ended buying a USB to 3.5mm adapter on Ebay for less than $4 bucks delivered, and to think I spent hours trying to change drivers and settings. No problems so far. Fingers crossed.
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 33
    Windows 10 Pro
       #20

    I just did a fresh install of Win 10 Pro. I downloaded all drivers from the MSI website for my motherboard (MSI Z97 Gaming Pro 5) prior to the fresh windows install. I installed the chipset drivers, then the sound drivers (Realtek). Win 10 automatically installed the latest Nvidia drivers for my GTX 770 card. The card is hooked up via a display port cable to my monitor. I checked Device Manager just to see if there was anything I had missed to install drivers for. The yellow exclamation mark was on the Realtek High Definition Audio under sound. Also there was the Nvidia sound under Audio. There is a Code 19 for the Realtek Audio. Windows cannot start this hardware device because its configuration information (in the registry) is incomplete or damaged. I have uninstalled the Realtek High Definition Audio drivers, reinstalled the drivers, but continue to get this error. I did a Google search and found a fix to go into the Registry and find the registry key HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Class\{4D36E965-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318}. I did this, and their are a number of this same key {4D36E965-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318} and I am supposed to delete the UpperFilters and/or LowerFilters values. None of the keys show Realtek within them. One says Media. It has a UpperFilter and it says ksthunk under Data. There is no LowerFilter. Should I delete the UpperFilter?
      My Computer


 

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