Virtual Display Driver
The Virtual Display Driver (VDD) creates a virtual monitor in Windows that functions just like a physical display. It’s particularly useful for applications such as streaming, virtual reality, screen recording, and headless servers—systems that operate without a physical display attached.What is VDD?
VDD is an Indirect Display Driver (IDD) that uses Microsoft’s IddCx framework to create virtual displays in Windows. Unlike traditional monitors, this virtual display supports:- Custom resolutions beyond hardware limitations
- Custom refresh rates from 30Hz to 500Hz
- HDR support (10-bit and 12-bit color depth) on Windows 11 23H2+
- Custom EDIDs to simulate or emulate existing hardware displays
- Multi-GPU support with PCI-bus based GPU selection
- ARM64 support on Windows 11 24H2+
VDD operates in User Mode (Session 0), which reduces the likelihood of causing system instability like Blue Screen of Death (BSOD).
Who is it for?
VDD is designed for users who need virtual displays for various scenarios:Content Creators & Streamers
- Stream to a virtual monitor without affecting your primary display
- Create dedicated displays for OBS, streaming software, or screen recording
- Test content at different resolutions without physical monitors
Remote Work & IT Professionals
- Enable displays on headless servers for remote desktop access
- Manage servers without physical monitors attached
- Test multi-monitor setups without additional hardware
VR & Gaming Enthusiasts
- Create virtual displays for VR applications
- Test games at different resolutions and refresh rates
- Simulate high-refresh-rate monitors (up to 500Hz)
Developers & Testers
- Test applications across multiple resolutions
- Emulate specific monitor configurations using custom EDIDs
- Develop multi-display applications without physical hardware
Key Benefits
Beyond Hardware Limits
Support custom resolutions and refresh rates beyond what physical monitors can achieve—perfect for testing and advanced setups.
HDR Support
Full HDR10 support with 10-bit and 12-bit color depth on Windows 11 23H2 and later.
Custom EDIDs
Simulate or emulate existing hardware displays using custom EDID profiles for precise hardware matching.
Multi-GPU Compatible
Advanced PCI-bus based GPU selection (LUID) for deterministic multi-GPU setups.
Comparison with Other IDDs
VDD offers the most advanced feature set among popular Indirect Display Driver projects:| Feature | VDD (HDR) | Other IDDs |
|---|---|---|
| IddCx Version | 1.10 (latest) | 1.2 - 1.5 |
| Signed Driver | ✅ | Varies |
| HDR Support | ✅ (10/12-bit) | ❌ |
| Hardware Cursor | ✅ | Limited |
| Custom EDID | ✅ | ❌ |
| Floating Point Refresh Rates | ✅ | ❌ |
| ARM64 Support | ✅ | ❌ |
| Highly Configurable | ✅ | Limited |
VDD is the only IDD that supports HDR10, custom EDID profiles, and floating-point refresh rates (e.g., 59.940Hz).
How It Works
VDD uses Microsoft’s Indirect Display Driver (IDD) framework to create virtual displays that Windows treats as real monitors. The driver:- Registers virtual displays with Windows Display Manager
- Reports capabilities (resolutions, refresh rates, color formats) via EDID data
- Receives frame data from Windows graphics stack
- Processes display output without physical hardware
What’s Included
Virtual Display Driver (VDD)
The core signed driver that creates virtual monitors in Windows. Supports Windows 10/11 on x64 and ARM64 architectures.
Virtual Driver Control (VDC)
A user-friendly GUI application to install, configure, and manage the driver without editing XML files manually.
Configuration System
XML-based configuration (
vdd_settings.xml) for advanced customization including resolutions, refresh rates, HDR settings, and EDID profiles.System Requirements
- Operating System: Windows 10 (1903+) or Windows 11
- Architecture: x64 or ARM64
- Dependencies: Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable (latest)
- Administrator Access: Required for driver installation
Getting Help
For detailed installation instructions, configuration guides, and troubleshooting:- Installation: See the Installation Guide
- Quick Start: Get your first virtual monitor running with the Quick Start Guide
- GitHub Wiki: VDD Wiki
- Community Scripts: Advanced automation in the Community Scripts folder
Open Source & Community
VDD is an open-source project built on Microsoft’s IDD sample driver with significant enhancements. The project is actively maintained with contributions from the community.Free code signing on Windows is provided by SignPath.io, with certificates from SignPath Foundation.
Next Steps
Install VDD
Get started by installing the Virtual Display Driver on your system.
Quick Start
Create your first virtual monitor in under 5 minutes.