How to stop automatic driver installation on Windows 10

Windows 10 loves to take the wheel when it comes to updating your device drivers. Most of the time, that’s helpful. But sometimes, you want to keep control—maybe you have a custom driver that works better, or a Windows update keeps pushing an unstable version. Whatever your reason, here’s how to stop Windows 10 from automatically installing or updating your drivers.

Why Would You Want to Do This?

• Custom drivers: Some hardware works better with manufacturer drivers, not the generic ones Windows installs.
• Stability: Automatic updates sometimes break things, especially with graphics or audio drivers.
• Old hardware: Windows updates might install drivers that don’t play nice with legacy equipment.

Ready to take charge? Here’s how to do it.

Method 1: Use the Group Policy Editor

If you’re running Windows 10 Pro, Enterprise, or Education, you can use the Group Policy Editor. Here’s how:

1. Open the Group Policy Editor:
   • Press Windows + R, type gpedit.msc, and hit Enter.
2. Navigate to:
   • Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Update
3. Double-click on “Do not include drivers with Windows Updates”.
4. Set it to ‘Enabled’ and click OK.

This tells Windows Update to skip drivers when installing updates.

Method 2: Tweak System Settings (All Editions)

If you’re on Windows 10 Home, or prefer not to mess with Group Policy, do this:

1. Open Control Panel (press Windows + R, type control, hit Enter).
2. Go to System > Advanced system settings.
3. Under the Hardware tab, click Device Installation Settings.
4. Choose No (your device might not work as expected).
5. Click Save Changes.

Now, Windows won’t automatically download drivers from Windows Update.

Method 3: Block Specific Driver Updates

Already have a problematic driver update? You can use Microsoft’s “Show or Hide Updates” troubleshooter tool to block specific drivers.

1. Download the tool from Microsoft’s site: wushowhide.diagcab
2. Run the troubleshooter.
3. Select Hide updates and pick the driver you want to block.

A Word of Caution

Blocking automatic driver installs means you’ll need to stay on top of updates yourself. If you experience new hardware issues, double-check for driver updates manually from your device manufacturer.

Final Thoughts

Taking control of driver updates can prevent unwanted surprises, especially if you rely on specific hardware or custom drivers. Whether you use the Group Policy Editor, tweak your system settings, or block updates individually, the steps above put you in charge.

Got questions or need more help? Drop a comment below!

Mark Vincent

Tech enthusiast and content creator passionate about making technology simple for everyone. I share practical tips, guides, and reviews on the latest in computers, software, and gadgets. Let’s explore the digital world together!