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This project creates a virtual monitor in Windows that functions just like a physical display. It is particularly useful for applications such as streaming, virtual reality, screen recording, and headless servers—systems that operate without a physical display attached.

Unlike traditional monitors, this virtual display supports custom resolutions and refresh rates beyond hardware limitations—offering greater flexibility for advanced setups. You can also use custom EDIDs to simulate or emulate existing hardware displays.

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• PCI-bus based GPU selection (LUID): Improved multi-GPU render adapter selection by resolving an adapter LUID from a PCI bus number (more deterministic than name-only matching).
• Device/PCI-slot friendly naming: Improved device identification / friendly naming using DeviceID and PCI slot info.
• GetIddCx helper tool: Added source for the GetIddCx utility to query IddCx versions.
• EDID integration: Added EDID integration support for custom/virtual monitor profiles.
• Performance optimization: Driver performance improvements (various internal optimizations).

This repository uses a Git submodule for Microsoft Windows Driver Frameworks headers. Clone with submodules enabled:

git clone --recurse-submodules https://github.com/VirtualDrivers/Virtual-Display-Driver.git

For an existing checkout, initialize the submodule before building:

git submodule update --init --recursive

• Driver Installer (Windows 10/11) - Check the Releases page for the latest version and release notes.
• Winget: winget install --id=VirtualDrivers.Virtual-Display-Driver -e

• Step 1: Download the Virtual Driver Control app.

  • You can download the installer directly from the Releases page.

• Step 2: Extract to a folder and run the app

  • Launch the VDC.
  • Click the Install button.

• Step 3: Verify the Installation (Optional)

  • Check if the Virtual Display Driver is correctly installed by running the following:
  • Device Manager: Check "Device Manager" under "Display Adapters."
  • Settings: Check display settings under system settings and see if the virtual displays show.

While VDC is a good and friendly way to work with VDD, you can also do a a lot manually. Like adding or removing resolutions or enable/disable functions, which is done by editing vdd_settings.xml. You should be able to locate the file at the default location: C:\VirtualDisplayDriver\vdd_settings.xml

For more information about manual installation, uninstallation and "personalization", please check out the Wiki here on the project GitHub repository. If you are into tinkering, check out the Powershell scripts in Community scripts.

The table below shows a comparison with other popular Indirect Display Driver projects.

¹ ARM64 Support in Windows 11 24H2 or later may require test signing be enabled.

HDR Support Now Available for Windows 11 23H2+

VDD can conflict with major driver updates, causing display priority issues or black screens on boot.

Before Updating Drivers

If you're planning to update GPU or chipset drivers:

1. Uninstall VDD first (via VDC app or Device Manager)
2. Complete your driver update
3. Reinstall VDD

If You're Stuck at Black Screen

Boot into Safe Mode:

• Force shutdown 2-3 times until Windows Recovery appears
• Choose: Troubleshoot → Advanced Options → Startup Settings → Restart → F4 (Safe Mode)

Remove VDD:

• Open Device Manager in Safe Mode
• Expand Display Adapters → Uninstall Virtual Display Driver
• Restart normally

Quick Fix Alternative:

• Press Win + P at black screen
• Press ↓ arrow and Enter multiple times to cycle display modes

Why This Happens

During driver updates, Windows re-enumerates display devices and may prioritize the virtual display over your physical monitor. Since VDD has no physical screen attached, this results in a black screen even though Windows is running normally.

Free code signing on Windows provided by SignPath.io, certificate by SignPath Foundation

• Special thanks to @ye4241 for submitting the package to Microsoft (WinGet).

• Shoutout to MikeTheTech Project Manager, Owner, and Programmer

• Shoutout to zjoasan Programmer. For scripts, EDID integration, and parts of installer.

• Shoutout to Bud Former Lead Programmer, has since left the project.

• Shoutout to Roshkins for the original repo.

• Shoutout to Baloukj for the 8-bit / 10-bit support. (Also, first to push the new Microsoft Driver public!)

• Shoutout to Anakngtokwa for assisting with finding driver sources.

• Microsoft Indirect Display Driver/Sample (Driver code)

• Thanks to AKATrevorJay for the hi-res EDID.

• Shoutout to LexTrack for the MiniScreenRecorder script.

This software is provided "AS IS" with NO IMPLICIT OR EXPLICIT warranty. It's worth noting that while this software functioned without issues on our systems, there is no guarantee that it will not impact your computer. It operates in User Mode(Session0), which reduces the likelihood of causing system instability, such as the Blue Screen of Death. However, exercise caution when using this software.