“You need to disable the audio controller in System Devices (not “Sound, video and game controllers”, this works but only temporarily). First, go to the Device Manager, and go under “Display Adapter”. Check the properties for your video card(s), and from the location line note the PCI bus # for each one.
Next, under “System Devices” look for your entries for “High Definition Audio Controller”. Right click and “Disable” the ones that have the same bus # as your video card(s). Restart, and no more Nvidia HD audio driver!
If you do need to use HDMI for sound at some point, just re-enable it.”