How to Check if You’re Using the Microsoft Basic Display Adapter

Notice your PC struggling with games or videos? You might be using the Microsoft Basic Display Adapter.

Windows includes a generic driver called the Microsoft Basic Display Adapter. It offers basic display functions but lacks the advanced features and speed you’d get from dedicated graphics card drivers made by NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel. Figuring out if you’re using it is key to making your PC look and perform better.

Using this generic driver can mean slower frame rates, lower resolutions, and fewer display features than you’d get with your graphics card’s own driver. For example, if your graphics card is an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070, you definitely want its specific driver, not the basic adapter.

Good news, though! Checking for the Microsoft Basic Display Adapter is manageable. You can use a couple of built-in Windows tools to help you figure out what’s going on with your system.

Method 1Using Device Manager

Device Manager is the best place to check if your computer is using the basic display adapter, showing you all the hardware connected to your PC.

1. Open Device Manager: The fastest way is to right-click your Start button. A menu will appear. Look for ‘Device Manager’ and click it.
2. Expand Display Adapters: Once Device Manager is open, find ‘Display adapters’. Click the small arrow next to it. This will show the display adapter(s) your computer has.
3. Look for the Microsoft Basic Display Adapter: Check the names under ‘Display adapters’ carefully. If you see ‘Microsoft Basic Display Adapter’ listed, your system is using this driver for that adapter. If you see a name from your graphics card maker (like NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel), that adapter is likely using its correct driver.

Method 2Using the DirectX Diagnostic Tool

The DirectX Diagnostic Tool, often called ‘dxdiag’, is a simple Windows tool that helps you check if your computer is currently using the basic display adapter.

1. Open the Run Dialog: Press the Windows key + R keys on your keyboard together. This opens the ‘Run’ dialog box. It’s a small window to open programs quickly.
   
2. Launch DirectX Diagnostic Tool: In the ‘Open:’ box, type dxdiag.exe. Then click ‘OK’ or press Enter. The DirectX Diagnostic Tool window will open.
   
3. Go to the Display Tab: In the DirectX Diagnostic Tool, click the ‘Display’ tab at the top. If you have more than one graphics adapter, you might see several ‘Display’ tabs, like ‘Display 1’, ‘Display 2’, etc.
4. Check the Device Name: On the Display tab, look for the ‘Device’ section. Find the line that says ‘Name:’. If the name listed here is ‘Microsoft Basic Display Adapter,’ your system is using this generic driver for that display adapter.

Summary

You can easily check if your Windows 11 PC is using the Microsoft Basic Display Adapter by using either Device Manager or the DirectX Diagnostic Tool.