How-To

How to Disable Automatic Driver Installation on Windows 11

Sometimes automatic driver installs can cause problems. So, here’s how to disable automatic driver installation on Windows 11.

Windows 11 can set up new device drivers via Windows Update without user interaction. However, sometimes the device drivers installed cause havoc with your PC. So, you can disable automatic driver installation on Windows 11.

With the service is disabled, it allows you to install drivers manually instead. This helps when Windows continually installs buggy drivers that result in problems.

You might also want to install a device driver that’s better for the operation of your hardware. Whatever the reason, Windows 11 includes an option that lets you disable automatic driver installation.

Disable Automatic Driver Installation on Windows 11

Having the ability to install your own drivers manually helps in avoiding buggy drivers and non-functioning devices.

To disable automatic driver installation on Windows 11, do the following:

  1. Click the Start button or press the Windows key, and open Settings > System.Start Settings Windows 11
  2. Scroll down and click the About option.Disable Automatic Driver Installation on Windows 11
  3. When the About page opens, click the Advanced system settings link under the Device specifications section.Disable Automatic Driver Installation on Windows 11
  4. When the System Properties window opens, select the Hardware tab.Disable Automatic Driver Installation on Windows 11
  5. Now, click the Device Installation Settings button under the Device Installation Settings section.Disable Automatic Driver Installation on Windows 11
  6. Next, click the No (your device might not work as expected) option on the Device installation settings window.Disable Automatic Driver Installation on Windows 11
  7. Click the Save changes button and click OK to close out of the System Properties window.

Disable Automatic Driver Installation via Group Policy

In addition to using Windows to disable automatic driver installations, you can use Group Policy.

Note: The Group Policy feature is only available in Windows 11 Pro, Education, and Enterprise editions.

Do the following to disable automatic driver installations using Group Policy:

  1. Hit the keyboard shortcut Windows key + R to launch the Run dialog, type gpedit.msc, and click OK.group policy
  2. Once Group Policy Editor launches, navigate to the following path:
    Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Update > Manage updates offered from Windows Update
  3. Double-click on the Do not include drivers with Windows Updatesgroup policy path
  4. Click the Enabled button on the top-right corner of the policy page and click the OK button at the bottom.windows update policy

Disabling Automatic Driver Updates

Whether you use the Windows 11 interface or go through Group Policy, you’ll no longer receive any device driver automatically through Windows Update when you’ve completed the steps. Instead, you’ll need to install them manually.

It’s also worth noting that if you have a hardware issue after installing a driver update, you can roll it back. And since we’re talking about doing things manually, take a look at updating Windows 11 manually.

If you’re not on Windows 11 yet, read about preventing Windows 10 from auto-updating hardware drivers.

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