Keep the Realtek application off my computer in Windows 10

Question

In Windows 7 I used to have my Sound set up that I had my Headset plugged in at my front audio ports, and my speakers plugged in in the rear. I used to use the "Playback Devices" menu to switch the default playback device depending on what I needed.

When switching to Windows 10, the updater/setup automatically installed a "Realktek HD Audio Manager" (which is the manufacturer), however that driver removed the ability to do that. I can now no longer switch devices in the Playback devices, both front and back connectors are the same "device". I have to use the Audio Manager in an annoying way.

I tried uninstalling the the Audio Manager, and that works for a short time, but apparently Windows reinstalls it every time. Is there a way to work around the Audio Manager screwing up my sound management. Another way to help me would be to figure out how to avoid Windows reinstalling that application every time without asking me. Is there a way to do one of those two things?

Edit: I actually like the automated installation of most drivers on the system. The problem lies with that one, so disabling ALL automated installation isn't really what I wanted.

Answer 1

Try Microsoft's tool to Show/Hide Updates.

1. Uninstall the driver

   1. Press Win+x, and then click Device Manager
   2. Find the driver, and click Uninstall

2. Run the troubleshooter package from Microsoft

   1. Follow the instructions, and disable the Realtek driver update

Answer 2

I was able to use the following steps to simulate Windows 7 style Audio Behavior without actually being driverless (and thus not having any sound at all). This is one of the solution, the other one being by geek1011.

In the Realtek HD Audio Manager, go to Connector Settings, and switch to the device that is responsible for your speakers. Also disable Auto Popup dialog.

In the advanced device settings set the options for two different audio streams and separate all input jacks.

In Windows, go to the Action Center, All settings, System, Notifications & actions. There, turn off notifications by the Realtek HD Audio Manager and hide the realtek manager from your taskbar.

Answer 3

Note: I am on a Dell G7 and these steps may be slightly different for your machine.

1. Use Add/Remove programs to uninstall the Realtek driver (if it exists)
2. Reboot
3. Let Windows install the drivers automatically from Windows update (to verify this, you should see your audio device working and showing up as Realtek)
4. Open Explorer and navigate to C:\Windows\System32\DriverStore\FileRepository (this is where Windows 10 keeps the driver update files)
5. Sort by Date modified, and you should see multiple folders modified very recently (there may be non-audio-related files here, so be careful)

6. Find all of the relevant folders for the audio drivers

   in my case:

   • hdxdellsstcsmb2018.inf_amd64_e3e1faa54cd2ea1c
   • wavesapo.inf_amd64_043a570d84e7e965
   • wavesapo75de.inf_amd64_5ff36f834a6d461a
   • dellaudioextwaves.inf_amd64_a8fc1a4f86ac4fa9
   • hdx_dellcsmbext_waves.inf_amd64_37d08961dc33a03e
   • hdx_dellcsmbext_waves.inf_amd64_de3d27adc6ebf608
   • hdxdellcsmb2018.inf_amd64_0cf5b01244c7b3dc
   • realtekservice.inf_amd64_fcea3531959f3bc4
   • realtekasio.inf_amd64_b061b3594ae23953
   • realtekapo.inf_amd64_4748908cf13baa19

7. For each of these folders, follow the instructions by @Livven on the original post to change the inherited permissions: Keep the Realtek application off my computer in Windows 10 (note: I also had to change ownership to my user)

8. Go into each folder and delete all of the files inside them
9. Once complete, run Windows Update. It will complain that it cannot update the drivers because of permissions
10. Run the Microsoft “Show or Hide Updates” troubleshooter: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/3073930/how-to-temporarily-prevent-a-driver-update-from-reinstalling-in-window
11. You should see the Realtek updates in the troubleshooter. Select them and hide them.
12. Reboot

13. Note: this step may be specific to Dell machines.

    In order to get the Microsoft High Definition Audio Device to install and work properly, I had to install the Realtek driver from Dell's website for my machine. I then rebooted and uninstalled the Realtek driver. This switched my audio driver back to Microsoft's. I then rebooted again, and can confirm that Windows update will not automatically install the Realtek driver (because the folders are access restricted and the Show or Hide update troubleshoot has hid them).

Enjoy!

Edit: this should also cover Make Windows 10 stop installing driver software automatically

Answer 4

Here's a way of removing it the way you're wanting to.

1. With Realtek still installed go to the task manager and find "Realtek Audio Driver" ("Rltk" or look for their speaker emblem) on the list of applications.

2. Then open the application's properties and go the Security Tab and click the Advanced button near the bottom.

3. From there you'll want to remove everything from that list (it removes all permissions from Realtek Audio).

4. Then uninstall the Realtek Audio Driver from the Add or Remove Programs menu or the Device Manager.

Now, when you restart your PC, it will not have permission to reinstall itself and Windows should activate their default audio driver to replace it.