Direct answer and scope
A specialist cleanup tool is for a defined problem and supported vendor scenario, not a routine prerequisite to installing a newer graphics driver. It can remove packages or settings that you may need to restore.
AMD documents a utility for previously installed AMD graphics and audio software; its description does not cover NVIDIA, Intel, or arbitrary third-party tools. Always read the exact vendor's current scope.
What to identify first
Know the affected GPU, symptoms, currently installed software, and the official compatible package to install afterward. Keep a recovery route and save custom graphics settings you need.
A problem isolated to one HDMI cable is unlikely to benefit from removing the entire graphics package; test a known-good cable first.
How to interpret the evidence
A cleanup utility may intentionally leave the system using a more basic display mode until the target package is reinstalled. That disruption can matter on a machine that depends on a particular external output or accessibility setup. Make sure the replacement package and a visible route to the desktop are available first. AMD's utility has an explicitly described scope; its existence is not evidence that another brand requires the same step.
A tool is not a diagnosis. If the symptom is limited to one display mode on a dock, compare supported dock output combinations; if the issue is limited to one application, review its requirements. A cleanup result that changes no symptom does not justify repeating the same removal. Preserve a brief record of what was removed and installed for any subsequent manufacturer support request.
The decision to use a tool should name a target: a documented vendor installation failure, remnants that the maker specifically instructs you to remove, or a support-directed recovery. 'My driver is old' does not meet that test. Afterward, inspect whether expected outputs and audio endpoints return; a utility that removes graphics-associated audio can affect sound through HDMI or DisplayPort.
- Try non-destructive checks first: connection, settings, release notes, rollback if available, or an ordinary official reinstall.
- If vendor documentation or support recommends cleanup for your case, read exactly what the tool removes and what it leaves intact.
- Confirm you can restore the supported package and access a visible Windows session if the display resets.
- After a vendor-directed procedure, reinstall only the correct package and test the original problem and all display paths.
Expected result and alternate outcomes
AMD states its utility removes AMD graphics/audio software but does not modify AMD chipset drivers. That vendor-specific boundary helps assess the impact; it does not guarantee that cleanup will solve a symptom.
If the issue remains after a conventional reinstall, investigate the monitor route, app, or hardware before adding a more disruptive tool. If you cannot identify the exact target or recovery path, pause and consult official support.
Caution: Do not run a third-party removal utility merely because a forum recommends it. Never turn off security features to make an unsigned replacement install.