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

The Microsoft Basic Display Adapter is a generic graphics driver Windows uses when it can’t find a specific driver for your graphics card. This basic driver offers limited features and can cause problems like slow performance in games or videos.

If your PC seems sluggish with graphics-intensive tasks, you might be stuck using this basic adapter instead of your graphics card’s proper driver from NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel.

Identifying if you’re using the Microsoft Basic Display Adapter is important for improving your PC’s display quality and speed.

Method 1Using Device Manager

Checking if your computer uses the basic display adapter involves opening Device Manager. This tool shows you all the hardware connected to your PC, making it easy to find your display adapter information.

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 shortened to ‘dxdiag’, is a simple Windows tool for checking your computer’s current display adapter. It quickly gives you information about your system’s display devices.

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.