# AMD Software Application: Advanced Micro Devices Also called amd software adrenalin, radeon software, adrenalin edition, radeon settings Advanced Micro Devices, Drivers 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 | 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. | 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 | 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. | Drivers and Support | [www.amd.com/en/support ](https://www.amd.com/en/support)Official Adrenalin packages | | ------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | Adrenalin install FAQ | [www.amd.com/en/resources/support-articles/faqs/RSX2-INSTALL.html ](https://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 ](https://www.amd.com/en/resources/support-articles/faqs/RS-INSTALL.html)Express versus custom install | | AMD support home | [www.amd.com/en/support/kb ](https://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 Technical details Adrenalin version numbers change with each recommended or optional driver. This article does not pin a build. ## Related These entities connect to this article. Type is shown on every link. [MSI Afterburner: Application](https://feex.it/wiki/software/afterburner)[NVIDIA App: Application](https://feex.it/wiki/software/nvidia-app)[How to read Task Manager: Guide](https://feex.it/wiki/software/system/how-to-read-task-manager) ## Sources and verification Reviewed by Feex editorial. Last verified August 2026 Status: Feex Reviewed. [How we research](https://feex.it/wiki/research). - [AMD Drivers and Support ](https://www.amd.com/en/support)· Official driver and Adrenalin packages - [Install AMD Software: Adrenalin Edition ](https://www.amd.com/en/resources/support-articles/faqs/RSX2-INSTALL.html)· Windows versions AMD lists for Adrenalin - [Foxhole process map ](https://foxhole.feex.it/)· First-party samples on Windows PCs. Not a lab benchmark. ## Was this article useful? A yes or no is enough. Pick a reason if you want, or add a short note. Quick facts The short identity of this page. Specs, sources, and the full story stay in the article. - **Developer**: Advanced Micro Devices **Category**: GPU companion and driver package **Process**: RadeonSoftware.exe **License**: Free companion for Radeon GPUs **First released**: 2020 (Adrenalin Software branding) **Official site**: [amd.com/support](https://www.amd.com/en/support) **Mapped by Feex**: Seen on Windows PCs in Foxhole Feex Reviewed: Last verified August 2026 --- Source: [Canonical Feex Wiki page](https://feex.it/wiki/software/amd-software/) [Developer guide](https://feex.it/wiki/developers/) | [API policy](https://feex.it/developers/api-policy/) | [Agent guidance](https://feex.it/wiki/llms.txt)