AMD Software

ApplicationAdvanced Micro Devices

Also called amd software adrenalin, radeon software, adrenalin edition, radeon settings

Advanced Micro DevicesDrivers

AMD's Adrenalin companion: overlay, driver package UI, and Radeon settings. The window is RadeonSoftware.exe. It is not the kernel driver alone.

What you need to know

AMD Software is the Adrenalin UI. The kernel driver is not this window.

RadeonSoftware.exe is the overlay, metrics, and installer surface for current Radeon graphics. Radeon Settings is the older name. Ending the UI does not remove amdkmdag or the Windows driver package.

What is it?: Radeon overlay and driver package UI
Old name?: Radeon Settings, then Radeon Software
Just the kernel driver?: No. The .sys driver is a different file

Feex says

If someone says "Radeon Settings is missing," I look for AMD Software: Adrenalin Edition. I do not treat RadeonSoftware.exe as the entire display driver.

What is AMD Software?

AMD Software: Adrenalin Edition is the Windows package UI for current Radeon graphics. It installs the driver, hosts the overlay, and holds display and performance settings. It is not the kernel driver by itself.

If you have never used it

If you have an AMD Radeon GPU, this is the red AMD window for drivers, overlay, and fan or display options. Get it from amd.com/support, not a random "Adrenalin exe" host. Radeon Settings is the older name. The kernel driver still lives in the Windows driver store even if you never open this UI.

What is it used for?

Driver package install

Adrenalin setup writes the Radeon driver plus this UI. Express versus custom changes optional pieces.

Overlay and metrics

In-game performance overlay and recording. Afterburner is a different OSD.

Display and game profiles

Refresh rate, scaling, and per-game options AMD used to keep in Radeon Settings.

Who is it for?

People with a current AMD Radeon GPU
Anyone who still searches for Radeon Settings
Players who want AMD's overlay instead of a third-party OSD

Current status

Actively developed as Adrenalin Edition. AMD still publishes optional and recommended driver branches on the support site.

How old is it?

Catalyst Control Center was the 2000s UI. Radeon Settings replaced it. AMD Software: Adrenalin Edition is the name from 2020 onward. A CCC screenshot is a different era.

Versions

Major channels first. Exact build numbers are not all verified here.

Adrenalin Edition

Pro Edition (workstation)

Radeon Settings (older name)

System requirements

Values follow the publisher's public guidance. Workload still changes the real need.

Minimum

Minimum system requirements
GPU	A compatible AMD Radeon product. Support varies by GPU generation
Operating system	Windows 11 version 21H2 or later, or Windows 10 64-bit version 1809 or later, per AMD Adrenalin install notes
Account	Administrator rights to install the package, per AMD

Resource profile

CPU demand: Low when idle. Overlay and recording raise it
GPU demand: Metrics and capture use the Radeon GPU
Network demand: Optional driver checks and AMD account features

Installed processes

These executables belong to this product when it is installed.

Installed processes
RadeonSoftware.exe	Adrenalin window and overlay host
AMDRSServ.exe	Background helper on many installs

Startup components

Adrenalin can start a helper so the overlay is ready. Turn startup pieces off inside AMD Software if you do not want them at sign-in.

File locations

Common AMD Software locations
Typical install	C:\Program Files\AMD\CNext\CNext\

File formats

MP4

Common problems

People think closing the UI removes the driver

RadeonSoftware.exe is the companion. The display driver stays until you uninstall the AMD graphics package from Settings or AMD cleanup.

Wrong branch for an old GPU

Legacy Radeon cards need the legacy Adrenalin package AMD lists for that product, not the newest recommended file for a current RX card.

Getting unstuck

Download from amd.com/support for your exact GPU

The auto-detect tool and the product selector both live there. A forum "Adrenalin all in one" is the wrong path.

Use AMD cleanup before a clean install

AMD documents a clean uninstall when a package fails. Device Manager "delete driver" alone often leaves Adrenalin pieces.

Turn the AMD overlay off before you stack Afterburner

Two OSDs on one Radeon card is a common stutter test. Change it in AMD Software, not in a random overlay killer.

Alternatives

NVIDIA App is the GeForce sibling. Intel Graphics Command Center is the Intel iGPU sibling. Afterburner can overlay a Radeon card, but it does not replace Adrenalin driver install.

Official help and downloads

Start with the vendor. Random exe sites are not a support channel.

Official contacts
Drivers and Support	www.amd.com/en/support Official Adrenalin packages
Adrenalin install FAQ	www.amd.com/en/resources/support-articles/faqs/RSX2-INSTALL.html OS versions AMD lists
How to install on Windows	www.amd.com/en/resources/support-articles/faqs/RS-INSTALL.html Express versus custom install
AMD support home	www.amd.com/en/support/kb Knowledge base

Related hardware

This UI belongs on a Radeon GPU. It will not drive an NVIDIA-only PC. Laptop OEM images sometimes ship a slimmer AMD package. Prefer the vendor AMD names for that SKU.

Technical details

Adrenalin version numbers change with each recommended or optional driver. This article does not pin a build.

Sources and verification

Reviewed by Feex editorial. Last verified August 2026 Status: Feex Reviewed. How we research.

AMD Drivers and Support · Official driver and Adrenalin packages
Install AMD Software: Adrenalin Edition · Windows versions AMD lists for Adrenalin
Foxhole process map · First-party samples on Windows PCs. Not a lab benchmark.

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