How to stop Windows 10 driver updates?

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I have Windows 10 Home 64 bit on new computer.  I cannot use Local Group Policy settings; I don’t have this function.  I do not have $99 lying around to buy the pro upgrade.  Is there any other way to weed out driver updates from windows update?

I know about pausing  Windows Update.  But once the pause is released everything installs.

Thank you.

HP Pavilion Desktop TP01-0050 – 64 bit
Windows 10 Home Version 21H2
OS build 19044.1645
Windows Defender and Windows Firewall
Microsoft Office Home and Business 2019
-Version 2204(Build 15128.20178 C2R)

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mpw wrote:

I have Windows 10 Home 64 bit on new computer.  I cannot use Local Group Policy settings; I don’t have this function.  I do not have $99 lying around to buy the pro upgrade.  Is there any other way to weed out driver updates from windows update?

I know about pausing  Windows Update.  But once the pause is released everything installs.

Thank you.

You can use Microsoft’s wushowhide.diagcab to hide drivers or block drivers in ‘Device Installation Settings’ :

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Alex5723 wrote:

You can use Microsoft’s wushowhide.diagcab to hide drivers or block drivers in ‘Device Installation Settings’

I’ve employed both methods, on a machine set as metered connection, and still received driver updates from MS. It’s not foolproof, although I am aware others have managed to stave them off like this.

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So, it is all or nothing?  I don’t get to see what is going on?  I have two choices:

‘Device Installation Settings’:

Do you want to automatically download manufacturer’s apps. . . . .

Yes (recommended)

No (your device might not work as expected)

That’s it?

HP Pavilion Desktop TP01-0050 – 64 bit
Windows 10 Home Version 21H2
OS build 19044.1645
Windows Defender and Windows Firewall
Microsoft Office Home and Business 2019
-Version 2204(Build 15128.20178 C2R)

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[EP]

that’s pretty much it, mpw

—

for those who are wondering, Win10 uses the “Device Driver Retrieval Client” module to silently download & install device driver updates without any user input when there’s an active internet connection (there’s a DLL file named that somewhere in the Windows\System32 folder)

edit – alternatively use either wushowhide.diagcab or even WUMT (windows update minitool) to hide any driver updates listed [the “Include Drivers” option in WUMT must be UNchecked]

• This reply was modified 2 years, 2 months ago by EP.
• This reply was modified 2 years, 2 months ago by EP.
• This reply was modified 2 years, 2 months ago by EP.

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Late reply however; consider Windows Update MiniTool (WUMT). It is going to depend if you have any concerns about the software. It seems easier and faster than wushowhide.diagcab and for sure works on Windows 10 1809 Home 32-bit.

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Kirsty wrote:

Alex5723 wrote:

You can use Microsoft’s wushowhide.diagcab to hide drivers or block drivers in ‘Device Installation Settings’

I’ve employed both methods, on a machine set as metered connection, and still received driver updates from MS. It’s not foolproof, although I am aware others have managed to stave them off like this.

I have blocked driver updates in Device Installation Settings and never been offered any drivers.
The only time Microsoft does install a driver is when attaching a new device (printer, HD…)

I was never offered these drivers :

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Thanks to all for your comments.

I too read the first reply wrong.  I did not understand that Alex5723 was referring to two different things.  I did find wushowhide.diagcab and used it and I was able to see what updates were pending.

Thank you.

HP Pavilion Desktop TP01-0050 – 64 bit
Windows 10 Home Version 21H2
OS build 19044.1645
Windows Defender and Windows Firewall
Microsoft Office Home and Business 2019
-Version 2204(Build 15128.20178 C2R)

1 user thanked author for this post.

b

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Alex how do you get to Device Installation Settings w/o a search ? I could not find it in settings

🍻

Just because you don't know where you are going doesn't mean any road will get you there.

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The Device Installation Settings box doesn’t block driver downloads completely; only when a device is first plugged in. You can still get driver updates through Windows Update. I added these commands to a post-setup script to disable it globally. Works a treat. The last one is the most important:

reg add “HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\DriverSearching” /v “SearchOrderConfig” /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f

reg add “HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\DriverSearching” /v “DontSearchWindowsUpdate” /t REG_DWORD /d “1” /f

reg add “HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\DriverSearching” /v “DriverUpdateWizardWuSearchEnabled” /t REG_DWORD /d “0” /f

reg add “HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate” /v “ExcludeWUDriversInQualityUpdate” /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f

2 users thanked author for this post.

wavy, b

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I used regedit to stop driver updates as directed in the following link late in 2019:

http://www.windowscentral.com/how-disable-automatic-driver-updates-windows-10

checked in settings and see that realtek has installed drivers in both march(4) and April (4) patch tuesday updates and Intel punched in 1 or 2 since Jan. I believe the above link outlines the same procedure – yes? So 10 driver updates have been installed since I upgraded to 1909 in Jan-curious thing, except for mouse driver, (logitek wireless)they all have failed at 1st attempt and successful on 2nd.Not only drivers fail on 1st attempt but I’m wondering why the drivers installed at all. This machine does have realtek and Intel components of various kinds, some clearly defined some not (ie in device Mgr-Realtek software- quite definitive huh?) Anyway, is this indicative of msft doing what they want when they want? The above regedit a waste of time?

(of 15 Quality Updates attempts, all but 4 failed on first attempt) and feature update also had to attempt twice) I have made changes w/ 3rd party software ie disable bing serach,disable hibernate, disable cortana etc etc) which may be at fault? IDK.

Aspire 5 A515-54G-73WC

Win10 Home ver 1909 bld 18363.778

curious

1 user thanked author for this post.

DriftyDonN

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https://www.windowscentral.com/how-disable-automatic-driver-updates-windows-10

Both Pro and Home explained-Home is thru registry changes.

DriftyDonN

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wavy wrote:

Alex how do you get to Device Installation Settings w/o a search ? I could not find it in settings

I was brought back to this post by a recent reply and just now found your question.  If you have not yet found the answer here it is.

Control Panel>System>Advanced system settings>Hardware tab>Device installation Settings

HP Pavilion Desktop TP01-0050 – 64 bit
Windows 10 Home Version 21H2
OS build 19044.1645
Windows Defender and Windows Firewall
Microsoft Office Home and Business 2019
-Version 2204(Build 15128.20178 C2R)

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While we’re outlining the steps to disable driver updates, we’re not saying that you should block this type of updates as they’re required for hardware to work correctly. However, — there are special cases when you may need to use custom drivers or drivers provided by your manufacturer— , instead of those available through Windows Update, and — in these situations, this guide can come in handy.

The above Bold type is the Achilles heel for us amateurs – KNOWING When a Custom Driver is Required. I recently Allowed KB 4497165 Intel Microcode Update out of Blind Faith but although the Born Blog warned against Security Issues, I re-installed the HP Sppt Asst (per Susan suggestion) & HOPE that keeps me ahead of  any bad MS Driver Updates – which I’ve Never had.

W10 Pro 21H2 / Hm-Stdnt Ofce '16 C2R / HP Envy Desktop-Ethernet/ i5(8th) 12GB / GP=2 + FtrU=Semi-Annual + Feature Defer = 1 + QU=0

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