How to stop ‘Windows 10 installing Realtek Drivers automatically’

By Kevin ArrowsUpdated on April 25, 2024

Kevin is a certified Network Engineer

Previously one would choose the settings to update windows and device drivers. However, after the release of Windows 10, most updates are forced on your system. Apart from the Windows Build updates and forced hot fixes, Windows 10 now updates your device drivers in order to keep your system working at the highest efficiency. This is because Microsoft noticed that most problems on Windows 10 were caused by bad or outdated drivers.

This has brought to the problem of installing driver applications to manage the driver options. One such complaint is the updating of Realtek audio drivers which then installs the application to manage it. This application might not function properly in some systems. On tenforums.com, a user complained that: “I don’t want the Realtek audio drivers as it completely messes with my audio and also doesn’t correctly switch when I plug in headphones for example. It also doesn’t allow for the ‘speaker fill’ enhancement to be used when playing stereo content through surround sound. Windows itself does a far better job as opposed to Realtek. Every time I uninstall Realtek it automatically gets reinstalled. Sorry Microsoft, you don’t know best.” There have also been several complaints from Reddit users.

Realtek drivers are sound drivers for your PC. The Realtek Audio Manager is supplied by Realtek and it allows you to manage your connection and improve sound stability and sound quality. Your motherboard may have an on-board sound built into it because of which you have the Realtek audio manager installed on your computer. However, it looks like Realtek Audio Manager doesn’t seem to work very well in Windows 10, thus generating a lot of complaints. It seems that every time windows finds that your Realtek drivers are not up to date, it updates them and gives you the Realtek Audio Manager application. Uninstalling the application from the uninstaller will just create a loop because doing that also uninstalls the latest sound drivers.

For some people, the Realtek sound manager can be annoying and not actually work for them. If it unappealing to you, here is our guide on how to get rid of it and still have your soundcard working.

Removing Realtek Sound Manager

Method 1: Prevent Automatic Installation, Reinstall windows manually and Change the bit rate settings

The idea is to disable automatic installations and delete the already updated drivers. We will then install new drivers manually. Since the system is denied from making changes to the driver, it will now not be able to install Realtek Audio Manager.

Let the driver install and take over.
Go to Control Panel > System and Security > 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.
Go to Device Manager by: pressing Windows/Start Key + R and type devmgmt.msc in the run box and hit enter. Right-click Realtek HD Audio Device from (the sounds video and game controller expansion) and choose ‘Disable’.
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.
Restart. When the system comes back up open the sound mixer. You should see in the window title bar that it is using the High Definition Audio Device.
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.

Method 2: Uninstall Realtek Audio Manager, install new drivers and deny the system the permissions to the Realtek system folder

This method will reinstall the drivers back to the drivers that were installed before Realtek Audio manager was installed on your PC. On every restart/reboot Windows would try to install the driver, but fail because folder access was denied. It will instead re-install the Microsoft driver and continue with the boot (this information can be seen from the Event Logs). This might slightly extend the boot time.

Press Windows/Start Key + R to open Run
Type appwiz.cpl on the run textbox and hit enter.
From the Programs and Features window, double click on Realtek HD Audio Manager to uninstall the program. This will also uninstall the sound drivers, so we will need to reinstall them.
Go to Device Manager by: pressing Windows/Start Key + R and type devmgmt.msc in the run box and hit enter. Right-click Realtek HD Audio Device from (the sounds video and game controller expansion) and 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.
Go to this local disk C: path: C:\Program Files\Realtek\Audio\HDA
Right click anywhere that is blank and choose properties.
Go the security tab and click on Edit
Select “SYSTEM” by clicking on it on the Group or user names options.
In the Permissions for SYSTEM, check the deny checkbox in the full control option.
Press OK twice to accept these changes
Restart your computer

Method 3: Roll back drivers

Rolling back your driver will install the driver that you were using before the Realtek Audio Manager got installed. Simply:

Go to Device Manager by: pressing Windows/Start Key + R and type devmgmt.msc in the run box and hit enter.
Right-click Realtek HD Audio Device from (the sounds video and game controller expansion) and choose “Roll Back Driver’.

Windows 10 remembers this action and no longer tries to reinstall the driver.

By Kevin ArrowsUpdated on April 25, 2024

Kevin is a certified Network Engineer

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kevin Arrows

Kevin Arrows is a highly experienced and knowledgeable technology specialist with over a decade of industry experience. He holds a Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS) certification and has a deep passion for staying up-to-date on the latest tech developments. Kevin has written extensively on a wide range of tech-related topics, showcasing his expertise and knowledge in areas such as software development, cybersecurity, and cloud computing. His contributions to the tech field have been widely recognized and respected by his peers, and he is highly regarded for his ability to explain complex technical concepts in a clear and concise manner.

Comments

Jerry Bee Weaver Mar 1, 2017

I tried this but it JUST KEEPS REINSTALLING ITSELF!!!!!
The Realtek HD Audio Driver makes my music and videos sound like CRAP!!!!
Why is Windows 10 forcing this driver to keep reinstalling?
How can PC manufacturers get away with this???

K. Arrows Author Mar 1, 2017

Have you tried disabling updates?

K. Arrows Author Mar 3, 2017

Created a post here. Follow Method 5 https://appuals.com/stop-windows-automatically-installing-outdated-drivers/

allan May 4, 2018

Did method 1 and THANK GOD!!! Realtek does not update anymore.

Bruno Davico Simões Aug 24, 2018

KUDOS!!!!!!!!!! Method 3 solved it.
This should get better SEO

Lilith Lotus Oct 24, 2018

Sweet, Method 1 works, thank you so much sir <3

Alan Weber Nov 12, 2018

Hello all,

i am reading this topic and i have a problem with sound too…i will try to describe in details:

so sound is working normally in windows and in example youtube…….BUT in half of games which i play i dont have sound…..

now this is what i tryed: i have realtek driver installed and updated.

now when i do this i get sound in all games:
1. edit realtek driver and replace it with “high defenition audio device” then i deinstall realtek program –> i get NO SOUND
2. when i restart laptop and login i get sound in windows and youtube BUT in half of games no sound…
3. then i click windows update which again found realtek and update it….so im back on realtek again –> again no sound in half games…
4. restart AGAIN —-> guess what i have sound EVERYWHERE so everything ok…. PROBLEM IS that works only until next restart and then im back to first step…….

i really dont know what to do i tryed everything…its obvius its driver conflict but i cant get sound to stay after that third restart…

any ideas?

Best Regards

Peter Dec 15, 2018

Method 1 works very well with small modification for laptops; Disable the Realtek device-click update driver-browse my computer for driver software-let me pick from a list of available drivers-then uncheck the tiny box “show compatible hardware”. It will reveal a large list and one can browse to Microsoft then choose “high definition audio device 2018” to install!

brucegr Jan 9, 2019

Excellent article. Solution 1 worked for Lenovo Yoga 720 13IKB…after trying many other solutions from inferior websites. Your logic and familiarity with microsoft’s sociopathic corporate ethic is apparent.

Have bookmarked your site.

Thanks

M Riverlands Jun 2, 2019

I had a similar issue with the Conexant driver and it’s various utilities and services stubbornly reinstalling on the system. I believe that a similar solution could be used for Realtek drivers.
1) Find out the name of the Realtek driver using MSINFO32. It will be under Components – Sound Device. Something like C:windowssystem32driversRTLHD64.SYS. Write this name down.
2) Under the Programs and Features Control Panel, uninstall the Realtek driver item. When finished, DO NOT choose to restart the system.
3) Navigate to C:windowssystem32drivers and create a FOLDER named RTLHD64.SYS – or whatever the name you wrote down. This will block the driver file from ever being reinstalled and prevent the installation of the various services and utilities.
4) Reboot and the Windows should install the generic Windows High Definition Audio drivers.

Mammoth Graveyard Jun 14, 2019

Thanks, had this issue after an update and your site was the only one with a proper fix that worked

Wayne Fuller Aug 18, 2019

Kevin;

Have been dealing with this problem for what seems like forever. None of the methods I have found online ever seem to totally work. Since there seem to be a never ending plethora of issues with Realtek, why can’t I just remove it from my system forever…!? Hopefully, one day maybe, Microsoft/Realtek will finally get the issues fixed, and I can re-install it at that time.

BTW, even after the install and following the instructions online, I have NEVER been able to find the Realtek manager anywhere on my system…????????

Thanks,
Wayne

Shane Warren Author Aug 22, 2019

If you cant see it and are convinced it is installed, click on the “View” option in the device manager and select “Show Hidden Devices”. Now Open the Sound, Video and Games Controller driver dropdown and you should be able to see Realtek Drivers there.

Bedro Aug 24, 2019

The most insane part tho, that even disabling auto drivers install in the advanced system settings, unistalling it completly, windows 10 amazingly ignores you opinion and silently straightly install it again. Cuz why not, good old windows 10 right? Windows 10 is terrible and IT IS the worst OS in drivers. More problematic than vista actually. The reason I want to kill the Realtek driver to my laptop completly, is because recently on the 1903 version, the system sound does a terrible delay AND a odd audio “skipping” during playback. Not just to this, but everything that uses the wav codec or something. It REALLY broked my system. Also, when I suspend my pc and turn it on again, the sound…literally mutes, forcing a restart.
It never were like this. More updates, some stuffs may be fixed, but adds more headaches.
Would be appreciated if someone find a TRUE FIX, ok? 🙂

Shane Warren Author Sep 5, 2019

If windows still ignore your suggestion, then im afraid there isn’t really any way to get rid of the automatic installation of the drivers.

wiyosaya Sep 6, 2019

The realtek driver is total junk, IMO. It made my headphones sound like I was in a tin can. I tried method 1 on one of my PCs and it seems to work.I am also plagued by Windohs 10 reinstalling a modem driver that amounts to settings in the registry. I had modified those settings for Windohs to properly recognize caller ID info, and every update brings a reinstall.Also, on the same PC where I have the modem, Windohs reinstalls a WiFi driver that I have setup to be a hot spot – and completely botches those settings such that I have to spend my valuable time setting up the hot spot again.I know this is off-topic, however, I certainly hope that 1903 will honor that setting “Don’t update my drivers” as it would get rid of a lot of headaches for me on at least one of my PCs. This has been one primary reason that I have turned off automatic updates – because Windohs is expert at breaking things I have working perfectly.

Shane Warren Author Sep 22, 2019

Did you try to disable the automatic installation of the Realtek drivers? seems to me that the Realtek drivers are causing the issue.

Terry Holm Sep 23, 2019

I’ve been fighting with my headset for 7 months! Windows updated my drivers and had problems every since. Solution 1 worked like a charm on my ASUS Gaming laptop. The only thing I did different was select the oldest dated realtek driver from the list because it was the one that came with my laptop and worked fine until windows forced the update.

geoff Dec 22, 2019

Method 1 – HOORAAAAAYYYYYYY FINALLY FIXED IT!!!Thanks a million – been battling this for ages. Had no idea the stupid realtek stuff was nailing every single other effort i tried.

No u Jan 18, 2020

method 1 worked(somewhat),it took me so long to solve this problem because of my driver installed on the dvd that came with my mother board was faulty so i took a driver from the website of my mother board

Lukas Surovcik Apr 21, 2020

Kevin you are amazing! I love you!! Finally got rid of the Realtek audio, making my speakers crack. No longer auto-reinstalling. Method 2 did the trick on my DELL Inspiron 15 7000 Gaming.

wwfee3678 Apr 30, 2020

Kevin thanks.4/29/2020TL:DR (Too Long: Didn’t Read): Windows 10 Xbox Game Bar not working with MSI Official RealTek Audio Drivers, used Microsoft Realtek Audio Drivers instead. Working now.Problem:- When recording video clip in Windows 10 Xbox Game Bar, audio from both headset microphone and laptop buildin microphone would be used. The MSI Official Realtek Audio driver/software would not allow a way to choose the headset microphone so by default BOTH microphones would be on and recording in Xbox Game Bar. In my Xbox Game Bar recording, you can hear my laptop fan picked up by the buildin microphone as well as my headset mic when I tried speaking.- This problem with BOTH headset/buildin microphones recording at the same time only affected Windows 10 Xbox Game Bar, not other apps like “Windows Camera” (Webcam).- If I used Windows Camera (Webcam) the microphone/sound would work fine when i did a test recording with audio/video Webcam clip.Setup:- Windows 10 Home Version 1909 (Build 18363.778)- Realtek Audio Hardware Id: HDAUDIOFUNC_01&VEN_10EC&DEV_0269&SUBSYS_1462127E&REV_1002
– ACL269
– Original MSI Driver File: ad_8603_UAD_WHQL_Nahimic_1230_2018_1228_132054_6.0.1.8603_0x224ee8a1
– MSI Realtek Driver Version: 6.0.1.8603Solution:- Removed official MSI Realtek Audio Driver that came with MSI laptop and went with Microsoft Realtek Audio Drivers. This solved my problem with Xbox Game Bar- Credit: https://appuals.com/how-to-…- Microsoft Realtek Audio Driver Version: 10.0.18362.356
– Driver Date: 9/4/2019- I followed the instructions from the above website “Method 1: Prevent Automatic Installation, Reinstall windows manually and Change the bit rate settings”Notes:- Read the comments if you run into any problems.
– After uninstalling the the MSI Realtek Official Audio Drivers, make sure you check that the Microsoft Realtek Audio Drivers are installed.- They both have the same name in “Device Manager”. “Realtek(R) Audio” so right click -> “Properties” -> “Driver” tab.- You’ll see “Driver Provider”: Microsoft and check Version Number. This is what you want.After installing the Microsoft Realtek Audio Drivers, I now had 2 options in the “Sound Control Panel” -> “Recording” tab:- Microphone (rename to headphone microphone later).
– Microphone- Right-click the sound icon on your task bar (next to the wifi/power/current time indicator on the right side of your taskbar)
– Choose “Open Sound Settings” -> look to the upper right hand corner for “Related Settings”. Choose “Sound Control Panel”.
– When “Sound Control Panel” opens go to the “Recording” tab and you’ll see the 2 microphone options. Unplug/plug in your headset w/ mic to see which microphone is the headset and rename it to “headset microphone” so it’ll be easy to identify later.- When you are ready, set the “headset microphone” as default and try a recording a video clip in Xbox Game Bar.Good luck.

thebobguy May 22, 2020

Man thanks a million. I’m glad there are people like you to help others out there. Got rid of that dumb Realtek sound drivers. Forever screwing with my computer.

Sykoman May 25, 2020

@appuals:disqus How to undo this process:”Go to this local disk C: path: C:Program FilesRealtekAudioHDARight click anywhere that is blank and choose properties.Go the security tab and click on EditSelect “SYSTEM” by clicking on it on the Group or user names options.In the Permissions for SYSTEM, check the deny checkbox in the full control option.”Because I can’t reach it and also can’t reinstall drivers again… Although when I uninstall with realtek drivers it fix the problem for a week or two.@shanew21:disqus

Shane Warren Author May 27, 2020

If you can’t reach it, restore the system to a date earlier than the one you did this on. BTW you should be able to do it again, before doing anything else, try creating a new administrator account and try doing this in that.

Domin Jun 5, 2020

Hello, I have Lenovo Legion (SN: PF1434CX) and after plug in an external microphone it was very quiet. I have struggled with the problem for weeks. And finally, after your Method 1 it works! 🙂 Recording sounds loud and clear. Thank you very much!! How is it possible that this poor driver/soft of realtek is installed at all??

S. Irby Aug 10, 2020

Interesting. I have a Dell Inspiron. Audio quit working with speakers or headset, only tinny, poor sound on notebook internal speaker. I discovered that Realtek Audio driver had disappeared. Online, learned that Windows 10 does not work with the most recent Realtek driver. So I went back to the previous Realtek version and get beautiful sound from my plug-in speakers. AGAIN, the Dell High Definition Audio Device didn’t work for me. Realtek HD Audio Driver v2.81 works great. (I don’t know when Windows installed v2.82, but from what I researched online, it doesn’t work. So Windows 10 installs the latest Realtek driver, which doesn’t work. Windows needs to NOT update the Realtek driver until this gets straightened out…hopefully they will anyway.)

Jo Jan 19, 2021

Hi. I downloaded Realtek High Definition and it was working fine. But whenever I restart, It brings me back to this stupid Realtek(R) again. I always reinstall HD Audio whenever I restart. I’m tired of it. I don’t want to see this Realtek(R) again.

Muhammad Zubyan Author Jan 19, 2021

Those drivers are HD they are just named Realtek(R). Do you notice any difference in sound quality?

Lucifer Mar 5, 2021

try rolling back the intel sst driver under system devices in device manager then , then unistall the realtek (R) driver then u should be able to have the high definition permently(worked for me).

zidane May 1, 2021

OMG DUDE THIS ACTUALLY WORKSS!!!!!!!!!!. THANKS A LOT GOD BLESS YOU DUDE

Dragan Podvezanec Nov 4, 2021

OMG, this is it!! WTF is this SST ?? This answer should be added to OP article to help others! I was struggling with this for months. Now it seems to work. THANK YOU!!

Device Jan 3, 2023

bro u r the best it really worked for me thanx

KaizerAllen Apr 23, 2021

I found out that sometimes, it still says “Realtek (R)” but when you check its properties, the drivers are actually Windows High Definition Audio. It just doesn’t change the hardware name for some reason. Just go to Device Manager > Realtek (R) Audio, then right-click to Properties.

Griff Man Oct 30, 2021

Low and behold after MONTHS of trying to remedy the Realtek issue I applied Method 2 and it seems to be working so far so good! Thanks Kevin!

Jeffrey Raphael Sep 7, 2023

The Realtek driver needs to be fixed ASAP!

Removing Realtek Sound Manager

Method 1: Prevent Automatic Installation, Reinstall windows manually and Change the bit rate settings

Method 2: Uninstall Realtek Audio Manager, install new drivers and deny the system the permissions to the Realtek system folder

Method 3: Roll back drivers

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