Windows 10 and 11 can automatically download and install device drivers and driver updates. For instance, when you install/reinstall Windows, device drivers are automatically installed in the background, and the process requires no user intervention. Similarly, updates for device drivers are also checked and installed periodically.
Although automatic driver updates help keep all drivers up to date, the flip side is that Windows 11 might install drivers with bugs, which might cause some trouble.
Suppose you do not want Windows 11 to automatically update device drivers, and you would like to do it on your own. In that case, you can configure Windows 11 to disable the automatic driver updates.
This guide will show you how to disable automatic driver updates in Windows 11.
Method 1 of 3
Disable automatic driver updates in Windows 11 via System Properties
Step 1: Open the System Properties dialog by typing sysdm.cpl in the Start/taskbar search and pressing the Enter key.
Step 2: In the System Properties dialog, click the Hardware tab to switch to it.
Step 3: Click the Device Installation Settings button.
Step 4: Finally, select the No (Your device might not work as expected) radio button to disable automatic driver updates.
Select the Yes (recommended) option when you want to enable the auto driver updates again.
Do not forget to click the Save changes button.
Method 2 of 3
Turn off automatic driver updates via Registry in Windows 11
Using the System Properties (Method 1) is the easiest and fastest way to disable auto driver updates. However, if you do not want your PC users to change this setting, you can configure it via Windows Registry.
Step 1: Type Registry Editor in the Start/taskbar search and then hit the Enter key.
Step 2: When you get the security prompt, click the Yes button.
Step 3: In the opened Registry Editor, go to the following key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE
SOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionDriverSearching
Step 4: Select DriverSearching in the left pane. On the right side, double-click on SearchOrderConfig.
Step 5: Change the value from the default 1 to 0. Click the OK button.
You may close the Registry Editor now.
Step 6: Please reboot your PC once to apply the change.
Method 3 of 3
Enable or disable auto driver updates via Registry in Windows 10/11
Group Policy Editor is not available in the Home edition of Windows 11. If you are on the Home edition, please use the directions in Method 1 or 2.
Step 1: Open the Group Policy Editor by typing the same in the Start/taskbar search.
Step 2: In the Group Policy Editor, navigate to:
Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Update > Manage updates offered from Windows Update.
Step 3: Now, on the right side, double-click on the Do not include drivers with Windows Updates policy to open its properties window.
Step 4: Here, select the Enable option and then click the Apply button. That’s it!
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