How to Find a Missing NVIDIA Control Panel and Restore the Context Menu or Tray Icon
By Timothy Tibbettson 04/17/2025 |
The NVIDIA Control Panel gives NVIDIA video card owners complete control over their video cards. You should be able to find it in the System Tray (bottom-right of your screen) or the Context Menu (right-click on your Desktop). In this tutorial, we show you a few ways to restore a missing NVIDIA Control Panel.
We've narrowed the problem down to two possible solutions thanks to all the feedback here on MajorGeeks and our YouTube channel.
1: Install the Correct DCH or Standard Drivers
What Are Windows DCH or Standard Drivers?
Consider which driver you have installed. NVIDIA defaults to downloading the DCH driver for Windows 10, which is missing the NVIDIA Control Panel.
You have one of two choices:
1: If you want the NVIDIA Control Panel, you should download the Standard NVIDIA driver.
2: If you don't want the NVIDIA Control Panel, download the newer DCH driver.
If you change your mind later, or you already have the DCH driver, download the NVIDIA Control Panel separately.
Yes, you can install the DCH driver over the Standard driver.
2: Check for NVIDIA Control Panel Folder and Executable
If you're lucky, the NVIDIA Control Panel is already installed.
Open File Explorer and go to C:\Program Files\NVIDIA Corporation\Control Panel Client.
If you have the folder, you can find the Control Panel in the future depending on your preferences:
Pin to Start or Taskbar:
Right-click on nvcplui.exe to pin the NVIDIA Control Panel Start or the Taskbar.
System Tray or Desktop Context Menu:
Double Click nvcplui.exe. Click on the Desktop tab at the top of the NVIDIA Control Panel. Click on Add Context Menu and or Show Notification Tray Icon.
Similar:
How to Download the Latest Drivers for Windows
How-To Backup and Restore Your Drivers
How-To Stop Windows Updates From Downloading Drivers on Windows 10
How to View Recently Updated Windows Drivers
How to Use Driver Verifier Manager to Troubleshoot Driver Issues
What is Windows Hardware Quality Labs or WHQL?
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We've narrowed the problem down to two possible solutions thanks to all the feedback here on MajorGeeks and our YouTube channel.
1: Install the Correct DCH or Standard Drivers
▶
Consider which driver you have installed. NVIDIA defaults to downloading the DCH driver for Windows 10, which is missing the NVIDIA Control Panel.
You have one of two choices:
1: If you want the NVIDIA Control Panel, you should download the Standard NVIDIA driver.
2: If you don't want the NVIDIA Control Panel, download the newer DCH driver.
If you change your mind later, or you already have the DCH driver, download the NVIDIA Control Panel separately.
Yes, you can install the DCH driver over the Standard driver.
2: Check for NVIDIA Control Panel Folder and Executable
If you're lucky, the NVIDIA Control Panel is already installed.
Open File Explorer and go to C:\Program Files\NVIDIA Corporation\Control Panel Client.
If you have the folder, you can find the Control Panel in the future depending on your preferences:
Right-click on nvcplui.exe to pin the NVIDIA Control Panel Start or the Taskbar.
Double Click nvcplui.exe. Click on the Desktop tab at the top of the NVIDIA Control Panel. Click on Add Context Menu and or Show Notification Tray Icon.
Similar:
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