AMD External Events Utility and AMD Crash Defender: can you disable them?
Short answer
UpdatedThe AMD driver installs the External Events Utility, which handles display hotkeys and FreeSync events, and Crash Defender, which collects data when the driver crashes. This tweak disables them where they are present.
What it does
The AMD driver installs the External Events Utility, which handles display hotkeys and FreeSync events, and Crash Defender, which collects data when the driver crashes. This tweak disables them where they are present.
In the app the switch is called "Disable AMD Driver Side Services", described there as: Disables AMD External Events/Crash Defender background hooks (no effect if not present).
When it helps, and when it hurts
When it helps
- Removing two background services on an AMD system.
When it hurts
- FreeSync can stop engaging and display hotplug or hotkey handling can break without the External Events Utility.
- It is one-way in the app: reinstalling the driver or switching the services back on by hand restores them.
What it writes
Exactly what the switch changes, read from the app's source. Switching it off is what the app writes when you turn the tweak off again.
This tweak has no fixed list of registry values to print here: it works through a driver's own settings, scheduled tasks or values that differ from PC to PC (per device, per adapter or per installed game). The app reads what your PC has and changes only that.
How to undo it
In the app: One-way
Switching it off doesn't turn these services back on. Do that in Windows Services.
This tweak is one-way in the app: switching it off does not put things back. Switching it off doesn't turn these services back on. Do that in Windows Services.
Changing several settings at once? The app's Make a restore point button, on every plan, makes a Windows restore point before you start.
Verdict
Not recommended if you use FreeSync.
Questions
- Is "Disable AMD Driver Side Services" safe to switch on?
- Not recommended if you use FreeSync. The main cost: FreeSync can stop engaging and display hotplug or hotkey handling can break without the External Events Utility.
- How do I undo it?
- In the app this one is one-way. Switching it off doesn't turn these services back on. Do that in Windows Services.
- Is "Disable AMD Driver Side Services" free in Frozen Tweaks?
- It is part of Frozen Pro and Elite. You can also make the change by hand with the values on this page.
In the app
- Switch
- Disable AMD Driver Side Services
- Category
- Debloat
- Plan
- Pro
- Undo
- One-way
Related guides
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In the app
- Category
- Debloat
- Plan
- Pro
- Undo
- One-way
Frozen Tweaks
Free for Windows 10 and 11
58 tweaks free, each with an undo switch. Never edits game files.
v2.0.0 · 6.4 MB · Windows 10 and 11, 64-bit · free account, no payment details
Or type frozentweaks.com on your PC.

The free Windows app for competitive games.
58 tweaks free, each with an undo switch. Never edits game files.
v2.0.0 · 6.4 MB · Windows 10 and 11, 64-bit · free account, no payment details
Frozen Tweaks runs on Windows. Send the link to your PC and download it there.
Or type frozentweaks.com on your PC.
