How To Stop Windows 10 Automatically Installing Drivers

Are you tired of Windows 10 automatically installing drivers without your permission? You’re not alone. Here are some tips to stop it from happening.

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Step 1: Disable Automatic Driver Updates

One of the main reasons why Windows 10 automatically installs drivers is because of its automatic update feature. To disable this feature, follow these steps:

Go to the Start menu and select Settings.
Select Update & Security.
Select Windows Update.
Select Advanced Options.
Select Choose how updates are delivered.
Turn off the toggle switch for “Updates from more than one place.”

Step 2: Use Group Policy Editor

Another way to stop Windows 10 from automatically installing drivers is by using the Group Policy Editor. This is only available for Windows 10 Pro or Enterprise users. Here’s how to use it:

Press Windows Key + R to open the Run dialog box.
Type in “gpedit.msc” and press Enter.
Select Computer Configuration.
Select Administrative Templates.
Select Windows Components.
Select Windows Update.
Double-click “Do not include drivers with Windows Updates” and select Enabled.

Step 3: Use Registry Editor

If you’re using Windows 10 Home, you won’t have access to the Group Policy Editor. However, you can use the Registry Editor to stop Windows 10 from automatically installing drivers. Here’s how:

Press Windows Key + R to open the Run dialog box.
Type in “regedit” and press Enter.
Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\DriverSearching.
Double-click “SearchOrderConfig” and change its value to 0.
Restart your computer for the changes to take effect.

Step 4: Use Device Installation Settings

You can also use the Device Installation Settings to stop Windows 10 from automatically installing drivers. Here’s how:

Go to the Start menu and select Settings.
Select Update & Security.
Select Windows Update.
Select Advanced Options.
Select Choose how updates are delivered.
Select “Defer upgrades.”

Step 5: Manually Install Drivers

Lastly, if you want to have full control over your drivers, you can manually install them. Here’s how:

Go to the Start menu and select Device Manager.
Find the device you want to install the driver for.
Right-click on the device and select Update Driver Software.
Select “Browse my computer for driver software.”
Choose the driver you want to install and click Next.

FAQs

1. Will disabling automatic driver updates affect my computer’s performance?

No, disabling automatic driver updates will not affect your computer’s performance.

2. Can I still manually install drivers if I disable automatic driver updates?

Yes, you can still manually install drivers even if you disable automatic driver updates.

3. Why does Windows 10 automatically install drivers?

Windows 10 automatically installs drivers to ensure that devices connected to your computer work properly. However, this can be a nuisance for some users who prefer to manually install drivers. Remember to always keep your drivers up-to-date to ensure that your computer runs smoothly. By following these steps, you can take control of your drivers and prevent Windows 10 from automatically installing them.