- Gaming and consoles
- PC games and launchers
Error 205
AMD Error 205 on gaming PC: Windows Update reverted driver
Risk level
Low
Usually safe to check without specialist tools.
Urgency
Low
Quick answer
Error 205 means the AMD Software installation finished, but Windows Update may have reverted your graphics driver version during the process. Temporarily set Windows Device Installation Settings in sysdm.cpl to No, restart the PC, and reinstall the official Adrenalin package for Error 205.
Safety first
Stop and check this first
- If you select the optional Factory Reset checkbox when reinstalling AMD Software for Error 205, note that it removes all prior versions, prevents rolling back to previously installed drivers, and erases settings unless Keep user settings is checked.
Safe checks you can perform
- Open System Properties using sysdm.cpl from the taskbar search box
- Choose No in Device Installation Settings and restart the system
- Reinstall the official Adrenalin Edition package after the Error 205 reboot
Leave these tasks to a qualified professional
- Do not attempt this professional task: Adjust Device Installation Settings in sysdm.cpl and reinstall for Error 205
- Do not attempt this professional task: Configure Additional Options and profile preservation when reinstalling Adrenalin
What a technician must be able to justify
Technician visit
These are the steps they must carry out and show you. Tick them as they work: if steps are skipped, do not accept a part swap.
These are not instructions for opening or handling the equipment yourself. They are the checks that should support a technical conclusion.
Adjust Device Installation Settings in sysdm.cpl and reinstall for Error 205
What they doThe technician opens sysdm.cpl > Hardware > Device Installation Settings, chooses No, clicks Save Changes, restarts the system, and reinstalls the official Adrenalin Edition package to clear Error 205.
They must show youthe Device installation settings screen set to No and the active AMD driver version after reinstallation.
In writingsysdm.cpl setting change, reinstalled AMD Software package version, and confirmation that Error 205 cleared.
Configure Additional Options and profile preservation when reinstalling Adrenalin
What they doWhen prior package versions must be cleared while resolving Error 205, the professional uses the installer's optional Factory Reset with Keep user settings enabled so existing profiles are reapplied after reboot.
They must show youthe selected Additional Options before installation and the restored user settings afterward.
In writinginstall type selected (Full, Minimal, or Driver Only), whether Keep user settings was enabled, and post-reboot driver status.
Before accepting a part or repair
Nothing has been shown yet. Do not accept a part swap based on the code alone.
Follow these steps
Note: Follow the documented order. An error code identifies the affected system, but it does not prove by itself which part has failed.
Open System Properties using sysdm.cpl from the taskbar search box
- Who:
- you, signed in with administrator rights on the gaming PC reporting Error 205.
- How:
- type sysdm.cpl (without quotes) in the Search box on the Windows Taskbar and press Enter to open System Properties; select the Hardware tab and click on Device Installation Settings.
- Result that matters:
- reach the Windows setting that GPU-KB205 instructs you to disable temporarily before reinstalling.
- If the Device installation settings dialog opens:
- proceed to select the No option as documented.
- If your Windows account cannot modify System Properties:
- perform this step using an administrator account or technician assistance.
- Evidence to keep:
- initial selection shown in the Device installation settings dialog.
Evidence: Error 205 - AMD Software Installation Completed Successfully but Windows Update May Have Reverted Your Driver Version During the Process
Choose No in Device Installation Settings and restart the system
- Who:
- you, following the exact step sequence in article GPU-KB205.
- How:
- in the Device installation settings screen choose No, click Save Changes to exit the dialog, and restart the system before running the AMD Software installer again.
- Result that matters:
- temporarily stop Windows from reverting the AMD graphics driver version during reinstallation.
- If the PC restarts with Device Installation Settings saved as No:
- proceed to reinstall the AMD Software package.
- If a pending Windows reboot was already queued:
- let the system finish booting completely before launching setup.
- Evidence to keep:
- confirmation that No was saved in Device installation settings and the system was restarted.
Evidence: Error 205 - AMD Software Installation Completed Successfully but Windows Update May Have Reverted Your Driver Version During the Process
Reinstall the official Adrenalin Edition package after the Error 205 reboot
- Who:
- you, running the official setup file obtained from AMD Drivers and Support.
- How:
- run the Adrenalin Edition installer using the recommended default path (C:\Program Files\AMD), and if you enable the optional Factory Reset under Additional Options to pause Windows Updates during setup, check Keep user settings to preserve your profiles.
- Result that matters:
- complete the AMD Software installation without Windows Update reverting the graphics driver version.
- If setup finishes without Error 205:
- click Restart so the driver changes take effect and verify the active version.
- If Error 205 still appears after reinstalling with Device Installation Settings set to No:
- have a technician inspect Windows Update driver policies.
- Evidence to keep:
- installed AMD driver version after reboot and absence of the Error 205 message.
Evidence: Error 205 - AMD Software Installation Completed Successfully but Windows Update May Have Reverted Your Driver Version During the Process · Install AMD Software: Adrenalin Edition
Still not solved
If the error persists, stop here. See what the technician must do and show you.
Where this code applies
A code is meaningful only inside the right product and version context.
Primary scope
- System
- Gaming and consoles
- Brand
- AMD
- Product type
- PC games and launchers
Known code variants
- AMD Software installation completed successfully but Windows Update may have reverted your driver version during the process
- Error 205
- GPU-KB205
What it means
AMD's official article GPU-KB205 explains that Error 205 occurs when the Adrenalin Edition driver package installs successfully, but the Windows operating system reverts the driver version for your AMD graphics device during or right after setup. The official RSX2-INSTALL guide also notes that the installer's optional Factory Reset pauses Windows Updates temporarily during installation. Other models or environments may vary, and Error 205 alone never proves that your graphics hardware is faulty.
Warnings and stop conditions
- Mediumsource verified
If you select the optional Factory Reset checkbox when reinstalling AMD Software for Error 205, note that it removes all prior versions, prevents rolling back to previously installed drivers, and erases settings unless Keep user settings is checked.
Evidence: Install AMD Software: Adrenalin Edition
Symptoms and causes
Probable causes · in order
- Windows operating system reverted the AMD graphics driver versionCommon
Article GPU-KB205 states that Windows may revert the driver version for the AMD graphics device after the AMD Software Package has completed installation.
Evidence: Error 205 - AMD Software Installation Completed Successfully but Windows Update May Have Reverted Your Driver Version During the Process
- Automatic Windows Device Installation Settings enabled during setupPossible
When Windows Device Installation Settings remain active in System Properties, Windows Update can overwrite the newly installed AMD driver version during the setup sequence.
Evidence: Error 205 - AMD Software Installation Completed Successfully but Windows Update May Have Reverted Your Driver Version During the Process · Install AMD Software: Adrenalin Edition
Virtual technician
Does Error 205 still appear after these checks?
Answer a few questions to narrow down the likely cause and the safest next action. Guidance only - it never replaces a professional.
Sources and technical references
- 2
Install AMD Software: Adrenalin Edition
AMD · 2026 · official_doc
- 3
Install AMD Software: Adrenalin Edition (ES)
AMD · 2026 · official_doc
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