The quickest way to identify your GPU in Windows 10 is right-click Start → Device Manager → Display adapters. The name listed there is usually the graphics processor model. If you see two entries, your PC may have both integrated and discrete graphics; that is normal.
These tools still work on existing Windows 10 installations, although Microsoft support for Windows 10 ended on October 14, 2025.
What “GPU,” “graphics card” and “display adapter” mean
A GPU (graphics processing unit) renders images, video and 3D applications. People often use GPU, graphics card, video card and display adapter interchangeably, but they are not always the same physical thing.
- An integrated GPU is built into a processor or motherboard and normally shares system memory.
- A discrete GPU is a separate graphics processor, commonly installed on an expansion card or as a dedicated laptop chip.
- A computer can have both. Laptops often use integrated graphics for battery life and a discrete GPU for demanding applications.
- Virtual machines and Remote Desktop sessions can show a virtual or remote adapter instead of the physical GPU.
Microsoft describes these GPU types and their common laptop configurations at its GPU overview.
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Find the GPU model with Device Manager
Device Manager is the best first method because it is built into Windows 10 and normally shows the manufacturer and model directly.
- Right-click the Start button.
- Select Device Manager. You can also search for Device Manager from Start; Microsoft documents both approaches at this support page.
- Find Display adapters.
- Select the arrow beside it to expand the list.
- Read each adapter name. Examples include Intel UHD Graphics, Intel Iris graphics, NVIDIA GeForce and AMD Radeon.
Windows lists available GPUs under Display adapters, as described in Microsoft’s graphics guidance.
Check status and driver details
Right-click an adapter and choose Properties. The General tab reports device status. The Driver tab shows the provider, date and version, with controls such as Update Driver, Roll Back Driver and Uninstall Device. The Details tab can expose hardware IDs and other technical properties. A yellow warning icon means Windows has recorded a device problem; the Properties window normally includes an error code. Microsoft explains Device Manager diagnostics at Using Device Manager and lists codes at Device Manager error codes.
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See the active GPU and memory in Task Manager
Use Task Manager when you want the model plus live activity, such as utilization, dedicated memory, shared memory and video encode/decode activity.
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- If the compact window appears, select More details.
- Open Performance.
- Select GPU 0, GPU 1 or another GPU entry.
- Read the model name in the panel’s upper-right area and inspect the usage graphs.
Task Manager’s GPU panel depends on a suitable display driver and Windows Display Driver Model support. It may be absent on older Windows 10 installations or with an incompatible, damaged or generic driver. Microsoft documents Task Manager and related tools at Windows configuration tools; GPU monitoring requirements are discussed in Microsoft’s GPU monitoring troubleshooting documentation.
Use DxDiag for the GPU, driver and DirectX information
DxDiag is useful when you are troubleshooting a game, display problem or driver installation.
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- Press Windows+R.
- Type
dxdiagand press Enter. - Open the Display tab. Systems with multiple adapters may show several Display tabs.
- In the Device section, read Name and the manufacturer details.
- Review the Driver section for the driver date, version, model and feature information.
Depending on the driver, DxDiag can also show display memory, approximate total memory, feature levels, DirectX capabilities and reported problems. Microsoft documents DxDiag at How to install the latest version of DirectX.
Query the GPU with PowerShell
PowerShell is convenient for scripts or a compact report containing several video controllers. Open PowerShell and run:
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Get-CimInstance Win32_VideoController |
Select-Object Name, AdapterCompatibility, AdapterRAM, DriverVersion, VideoProcessorTo print only the names:
Get-CimInstance Win32_VideoController |
Select-Object NameThe Win32_VideoController class exposes fields such as name, manufacturer, adapter memory, driver and video processor. However, Microsoft warns that systems not compatible with the Windows Display Driver Model can return inaccurate values. Treat AdapterRAM as a reported adapter value, not automatically as the GPU’s physical VRAM. See the class reference at Win32_VideoController.
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Get a broader report with System Information
- Press Windows+R.
- Type
msinfo32and press Enter. - Expand Components and select Display.
System Information combines hardware, component, driver and software details, which is useful for a support report or when several devices need investigation. Microsoft recommends running it as administrator for the most complete driver and service reporting. Instructions are available in the System Information documentation.
Which method should you use?
| Method | Best for | Advantages | Limitations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Device Manager | Most users who need the model | Fast, built in and usually identifies the adapter | A missing manufacturer driver can produce a generic name |
| Task Manager | Model plus live activity | Shows utilization, memory and which GPU is active | GPU monitoring may be unavailable with unsupported or broken drivers |
| DxDiag | Driver and DirectX troubleshooting | Includes adapter, driver, feature-level and capability details | Less familiar interface |
| PowerShell | Scripts and compact reports | Lists multiple controllers and selected properties | Reported memory can be misleading |
| System Information | Support documentation | Broad hardware and software inventory | More detail than a basic lookup requires |
How to interpret multiple GPU entries
Do not remove an adapter merely because two appear. Common combinations include:
- Intel plus NVIDIA or Intel plus AMD: integrated graphics alongside a discrete GPU.
- Two discrete GPUs: possible in workstations, gaming PCs or specialized systems.
- Microsoft Basic Display Adapter: Windows is using a generic display driver, not necessarily identifying the underlying retail GPU.
- Remote or virtual adapter: a Remote Desktop session, virtual machine or virtualization platform may be presenting a virtual device.
Windows can switch between integrated and discrete graphics according to the application and power policy. If you need the physical host GPU, run these checks on the host’s normal Windows installation rather than inside a virtual machine or remote session.
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Fix an incorrect or missing GPU entry
When the entry says Microsoft Basic Display Adapter
This label generally means the manufacturer-specific display driver is unavailable or not installed; it does not by itself prove that the GPU has failed. Microsoft explains the generic adapter at Microsoft Basic Display Adapter in Windows.
- In Device Manager, open the adapter’s Properties.
- Use Details and select a hardware-ID property if you need to identify the device.
- Find the exact PC model in Settings → System → About, on the computer’s label or on the manufacturer’s support site.
- Download the graphics driver from the PC maker or the GPU manufacturer.
- Install it and restart Windows.
- Check Device Manager or DxDiag again.
A manufacturer driver can improve performance, resolution support, video playback, battery life, stability and multi-monitor support.
When Display adapters is missing
- In Device Manager, select View → Show hidden devices.
- Check Other devices for an unknown video controller.
- Look for warning icons and inspect each device’s Properties.
- Select Action → Scan for hardware changes.
- Restart the PC.
- Check the computer maker’s support page for the correct driver.
If the adapter remains absent, possible causes include a disabled device, failed hardware, incorrect firmware settings, an undetected connection, or a virtual/remote session. Further investigation may require BIOS/UEFI settings, hardware inspection or manufacturer support.
GPU model versus graphics memory
The model is usually the most useful fact for installing a driver or checking a game’s requirements. Memory figures are not interchangeable: tools may report dedicated GPU memory, shared system memory, total available graphics memory, reserved memory or an adapter-reported value. For a game, compare the exact GPU model and driver requirements with the game developer’s official minimum and recommended specifications rather than relying only on a label such as “Intel graphics” or a single memory number.
Windows 10 support status
Microsoft ended ordinary Windows 10 support on October 14, 2025. Device Manager, Task Manager, DxDiag, PowerShell and System Information remain available on existing Windows 10 PCs, but Microsoft no longer provides normal free Windows Update support, technical assistance or security fixes for Windows 10 after that date. See Microsoft’s device information and support guidance for current status information.
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