nVAppAppApp - workaround NVIDIA DLSS4 whitelisting

nVAppAppApp.ps1

<# Workaround for NVIDIA's DLSS4 whitelisting


-------- WHAT IS THE BACKSTORY? --------

DLSS4 was launched alongside the RTX 5000 series and comprise several new and interesting
features, f.e. additional presets for Super Resolution, using a newer Transformer model.
Arguably these features increase image quality significantly. To various degrees these 
features are also available for older RTX cards, and older games using DLSS3/2.

Using third party apps like DLSS Swapper etc remains a convenient way to, on a manual basis, 
swap out DLLs which contain the above mentioned functionality, per game. Downsides to this is 
primarily that swapping out DLLs for online multi-player games may trigger an Anti-Cheat
system, and there is of course also some manual work of updating to newer versions/DLLs.

With the launch of DLSS4 nVidia has taken steps to integrate some functionality in their 
NVIDIA App to also let the user "swap" DLSS versions manually. This is in theory nice as it 
allows for games to automatically be updated to the latest and greatest by driver updates.
Plus, it means that DLLs aren't actually "swapped" since it is done by a dynamic loading 
mechanism, which should mean that DLSS versions CAN be switched for (many) online multi-
player games.

BUT NVIDIA's implementation is too restrictive.

You may have noticed how DLSS4 can not be enabled for all games using DLSS3/2 in NIVIDIA APP. 
This is because nVidia decided to implement the features using a whitelisting mechanism. 
I.e. the feature can only be enabled on games deemed "supported" by nVidia. There are 
actually good reasons for nVidia to implement a whitelisting system, for example to ensure 
that DLSS4 provides a good image quality in "supported" games, and to avoid potentially 
triggering Anti-Cheat systems for online multi-player games. 

Meanwhile, it is possible to use nVidia Profile Inspector, and similar tools, to set the 
global profile and/or or per game, to use the updated DLLs and thus force DLSS4 features on all/
select games. Unfortunately, NVIDIA App is rather controlling about this and will reverse 
these changes for "unsupported" games when the app is launched or when an unsupported game 
is launched.

A workaround currently is to not install NVIDIA App, and instead only use nVidia Profile 
Inspector. I personally find the overlay and RTX HDR worth keeping NVIDIA App installed for. 
It may eventually also become mandatory to have nVIDIA App installed.


-------- WHAT DOES THIS SCRIPT DO? --------

This script will override/deactivate the DLSS whitelisting as explained above, so that 
you can enable DLSS4 for all games using nVidia Profile Inspector or NVIDIA APP


-------- HOW DO I USE THE SCRIPT? --------

The script below is a powershell (v5.1+) script which the user should run once, and 
then also when upgrading GPU-driver.

Once the script is running you will be presented with three options:
1. Driver upgrade - use this when upgrading GPU-drivers
2. Run script - run this to immediately patch the necessary files.
3. Quit - Exit the menu and quit the script

Typically you should run the script and select option 1 when updating GPU-driver. Run the script 
before starting the driver installation and follow the on-screen guide/instruction.

If you are not (re-)installing a driver you should select option 2.
   

-------- FAQ --------

Q: Why do I need to run this script as administrator?
A: For the script to be able to restart two nVidia services

Q: Will the DLSS4 override trigger Anti-Cheat warnings for online multiplayer?
A: It should not since the script uses NVIDIA built-in functionality. I tried it with Space 
Marines 2. Helldiver 2, Battlefield 2042 and 6 without issues. 

Q: Why does the screen go black for a second or two when running the script?
A: This happens when the NIVIDIA services restart and is normal.

Q: Why do I get an error message about "unsigned script" when executing the script in Powershell?
A: By default an unsigned script (like nVAppAppApp.ps1) downloaded to your local machine can 
not be executed - for security reasons. It is possible to change this on your machine with 
a temporary bypass or by setting a permanent override. 

To do a temporary workaround execute this in Powershell: `Set-ExecutionPolicy bypass`

To set a permanent override please execute this in Powershell AS ADMIN: `Set-ExecutionPolicy unrestricted`,
followed by `Unblock-File .\nVAppAppApp.ps1`

Q: What does the script actually do?
A: The script removes "Read-Only" property on files "ApplicationStorage.json" (contains settings for detected games) and 
"fingerprint.db" (origin file for override settings), then modifies the files to remove the override restrictions put 
in place by NVIDIA APP. Then sets "fingerprint.db" to "Read-Only" and restarts two nVidia services 

-------- CHANGELOG --------

 Version 2
  - UTF-8 w/o BOM
  
 Version 3
  - Modify the override origin file (fingerprint.db)
  - Changed modus operandi - run the script after reinstalling driver
 
 Version 4 (2025-02-25)
  - No change to the actual script. It works good and the effects seem to persist even 
  through driver installs.
  - Added notes on how to allow PowerShell to run local scripts
  
  Version 5 (2025-03-10)
  - Added a user friendly menu with three options. 
    1. Driver upgrade. Run the script before installing a new driver and follow the isntructions. 
    2. Run the script (same functionality as before)
    3. Quit  
	
  Version 5 (2025-11-15)
  - Updated script to reflect changes by NVIDIA in driver version 581.80
  - Updated this readme
#>

#Requires -Version 5.1
$RootPath = "$Env:USERPROFILE\AppData\Local\NVIDIA Corporation\NVIDIA app\NvBackend\"
$AppStorageJsonPath = "$Env:USERPROFILE\AppData\Local\NVIDIA Corporation\NVIDIA app\NvBackend\ApplicationStorage.json"
$Utf8NoBomEncoding = New-Object System.Text.UTF8Encoding $False

#region Initial Checks
function Check-AdminRights {
    $currentPrincipal = New-Object Security.Principal.WindowsPrincipal([Security.Principal.WindowsIdentity]::GetCurrent())
    return $currentPrincipal.IsInRole([Security.Principal.WindowsBuiltInRole]::Administrator)
}
$isAdmin = Check-AdminRights
if (-not $isAdmin) {
    Write-Host "`nWARNING: Not running with administrator privileges" -ForegroundColor DarkRed
    Write-Host "Service restarts will fail. To ensure full functionality:" -ForegroundColor Gray
    Write-Host "Right-click PowerShell and select 'Run as administrator'`n" -ForegroundColor Gray
    Start-Sleep -Seconds 5
}
#endregion

function Show-Header {
    Clear-Host
    Write-Host "`n"
    Write-Host "========================================================" -ForegroundColor Green
    Write-Host "        NVIDIA DLSS4 Whitelist Workaround Script        " -ForegroundColor Black -BackgroundColor Green
    Write-Host "========================================================" -ForegroundColor Green
    Write-Host "`n"
}

function Run-Script {
	
	# Find all fingerprint.db files under the root folder
    $FingerprintFiles = Get-ChildItem -Path $RootPath -Filter "fingerprint.db" -Recurse -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue
	
	# Modify ApplicationStorage.json
	Set-ItemProperty -Path $AppStorageJsonPath -Name IsReadOnly -Value $false
	Write-Host "`n Modifying ApplicationStorage.json..." -ForegroundColor White
	$contents = (Get-Content $AppStorageJsonPath )
	$contents = $contents.Replace('"Disable_FG_Override":true', '"Disable_FG_Override":false')
	$contents = $contents.Replace('"Disable_RR_Override":true', '"Disable_RR_Override":false')
	$contents = $contents.Replace('"Disable_SR_Override":true', '"Disable_SR_Override":false')
	$contents = $contents.Replace('"Disable_RR_Model_Override":true', '"Disable_RR_Model_Override":false')
	$contents = $contents.Replace('"Disable_SR_Model_Override":true', '"Disable_SR_Model_Override":false')
	[System.IO.File]::WriteAllLines($AppStorageJsonPath, $contents, $Utf8NoBomEncoding)
	
	# Modify fingerprint.db
	foreach ($file in $FingerprintFiles) {
		Write-Host "`n Modifying $($file.FullName)..." -ForegroundColor White
		Set-ItemProperty -Path $file.FullName -Name IsReadOnly -Value $false
		$contents = (Get-Content $file.FullName)
		$contents = $contents.Replace('<Disable_FG_Override>1</Disable_FG_Override>', '<Disable_FG_Override>0</Disable_FG_Override>')
		$contents = $contents.Replace('<Disable_RR_Model_Override>1</Disable_RR_Model_Override>', '<Disable_RR_Model_Override>0</Disable_RR_Model_Override>')
		$contents = $contents.Replace('<Disable_RR_Override>1</Disable_RR_Override>', '<Disable_RR_Override>0</Disable_RR_Override>')
		$contents = $contents.Replace('<Disable_SR_Model_Override>1</Disable_SR_Model_Override>', '<Disable_SR_Model_Override>0</Disable_SR_Model_Override>')
		$contents = $contents.Replace('<Disable_SR_Override>1</Disable_SR_Override>', '<Disable_SR_Override>0</Disable_SR_Override>')
		[System.IO.File]::WriteAllLines($file.FullName, $contents, $Utf8NoBomEncoding)
		Set-ItemProperty -Path $file.FullName -Name IsReadOnly -Value $true
	}
	
	# Restart services (requires admin rights)
	if ($isAdmin) 
	{
		try {
			Write-Host "`n Restarting NVIDIA services..." -ForegroundColor White
			Restart-Service -Force -Name "NVDisplay.ContainerLocalSystem" -ErrorAction Stop
			Restart-Service -Force -Name "NvContainerLocalSystem" -ErrorAction Stop
			Write-Host "`n Services restarted successfully" -ForegroundColor Green
		}
		catch {
			Write-Host "`n ERROR: Failed to restart services" -ForegroundColor DarkRed
			Write-Host " Details: $_" -ForegroundColor DarkRed
		}
	}
	else {
		Write-Host "`n WARNING: Services not restarted" -ForegroundColor DarkRed
		Write-Host " Run as administrator for complete functionality" -ForegroundColor DarkRed
	}

	Write-Host "`n Operation completed!`n" -ForegroundColor Black -BackgroundColor Green
}
# Display menu
do {
    Show-Header
    Write-Host " MAIN MENU" -ForegroundColor Green
    Write-Host "--------------------------------------------------------" -ForegroundColor Green
    
    Write-Host " 1. Start driver upgrade mode" -ForegroundColor White
    Write-Host "     - Prepares for driver update" -ForegroundColor DarkGray
    Write-Host "     - Patches files after confirmation" -ForegroundColor DarkGray
    
    Write-Host "`n 2. Run script immediately" -ForegroundColor White
    Write-Host "     - Patch files directly" -ForegroundColor DarkGray
    
    Write-Host "`n 3. Exit" -ForegroundColor White
    Write-Host "     - Quits the tool" -ForegroundColor DarkGray
    
    Write-Host "--------------------------------------------------------" -ForegroundColor Green
    $choice = Read-Host "`n Please enter your choice (1-3)"
    
    switch ($choice) {
        '1' {
            Show-Header
            Write-Host " DRIVER UPGRADE MODE" -ForegroundColor Green
            Write-Host "--------------------------------------------------------" -ForegroundColor Green
            # Find all fingerprint.db files under the root folder
            $FingerprintFiles = Get-ChildItem -Path $RootPath -Filter "fingerprint.db" -Recurse -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue
            foreach ($file in $FingerprintFiles) {
		        Set-ItemProperty -Path $file.FullName -Name IsReadOnly -Value $false -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue
            }
            Write-Host "`n Read-only attribute removed from all fingerprint.db" -ForegroundColor White
            Write-Host "`n Perform your driver upgrade now!" -ForegroundColor White
            Write-Host "`n Press any key AFTER the driver is installed and NVIDIA APP has self-updated (as applicable) ..." -ForegroundColor White
            $null = $Host.UI.RawUI.ReadKey('NoEcho,IncludeKeyDown')
            Run-Script
            pause
        }
        '2' {
            Show-Header
            Write-Host " PATCHING FILES" -ForegroundColor Green
            Write-Host "--------------------------------------------------------" -ForegroundColor Green
            Run-Script
            pause
        }
        '3' {
            Show-Header
            Write-Host " Exiting... Thank you for using the tool!" -ForegroundColor Gray
            Start-Sleep -Seconds 2
            exit
        }
        default {
            Write-Host "`n Invalid selection. Please choose 1, 2, or 3." -ForegroundColor DarkRed
            Start-Sleep -Seconds 2
        }
    }
} while ($true)

It's caused issues for my psvr2 on skyrim, how do i remove it's effects? Even having dlss on default causes bugs.

It's caused issues for my psvr2 on skyrim, how do i remove it's effects? Even having dlss on default causes bugs.

This script edits 2 files made by NVAPP.

Ideally you can get rid of all of it's effects and fully fresh by using DDU on your system which will delete everything Driver + NVAPP.

https://www.wagnardsoft.com/display-driver-uninstaller-ddu

However, aside from just making the driver "think" that you can run Overrides this does nothing, so not sure what kind of issues you can be experiencing.

As of now (2025-11-08; but I have no idea when this actually happened),

-ApplicationOntology\data\fingerprint.db
+DAO\${Really_big_large_long_string_of_hex_digits}\fingerprint.db

One edit, and it continues to work as advertised.

Thanks will check it out. Did not yet updrade to 581.80 (latest as of now)

Doesen't seem to work anymore

@tildebyte @ForthtuN The script has been updated to work with nvidia driver 581.80 and beyond.

Changelog:

• Updated script to reflect changes by NVIDIA in driver version 581.80
• Updated the readme to be clearer and more helpful I hope

🎉

Changelog:

Minor update to fix a potential error message

Just updated to the latest Nvidia Driver and I was expecting to have to run the script again, but it's still working. Thanks for posting this