How to Disable Automatic Driver Updates on Windows 11
By default, Windows 11 fetches all kinds of updates automatically. These include security patches and driver updates for your PC’s hardware and software components. That makes installing any hardware on a computer easy, but the driver updates can sometimes install buggy versions. If you prefer toupdate and install drivers manually, you may disable automatic updates on Windows 11 and continue to enjoy regular Windows Updates.
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What Will Happen If You Disable Automatic Driver Updates
You’ll need to manually search for drivers for existing and new hardware components to install on your Windows 11 PC. That means you’ll need to determine how to access the hardware’s details from Device Manager or any other third-party tool (like Speccy or CPU-Z). Besides that, you’ll need to consider the following Pros and Cons if you disable automatic driver updates on your Windows 11 PC.
After weighing these things, you may proceed to pick one of the three ways to do that.
Use Settings App to Disable Automatic Driver Updates
The Settings app can prevent Windows 11 from downloading automatic driver updates so that Windows won’t install any new ones on your PC. Here’s how to do that using an account with administrator privileges.
1.PressWindows + Ikeyboard shortcut to open theSettingsapp.
2.ChooseSystemin the left sidebar andAboutfrom the right pane.
3.Click theAdvanced System Settingslink.
4.From theSystem Propertieswindow that pops open, head to theHardwaretab and click theDevice Installation Settingsbutton.
5.ChooseNo (your device might not work as expected)from the pop-up window, and hit theSave Changesbutton.
Next, you can hitOKor Close icon to close theSystem Propertieswindow.
Use Group Policy Editor to Disable Automatic Driver Updates
TheGroup Policy Editoroffers another way to stop automatic driver updates. However, PCs with the Windows 11 Home edition don’t provide access to Group Policy Editor. Here are the steps for other Windows 11 Edition PCs.
1.Press theWindows + S keyto open Windows Search, typegpedit.msc, and hitEnterto open the Group Policy Editor.
2.When aUser Account Controlprompt appears to ask permission, click theYesbutton. From the left sidebar, navigate to this folder path:
3.From the right pane, right-click on theDo not include drivers with Windows Updatesand chooseEditfrom the contextual menu.
4.ChooseEnabledoption, hitApplyin the bottom-right corner, and pressOkto close the pop-up window.
After that, Windows Updates won’t fetch the device drivers for your computer. If you want to revert these changes, follow the process till step three, and choose Not configured.
Use Registry Editor to Disable Automatic Driver Updates
If you’re comfortable tinkering with the Registry Editor, we recommend backing up the Registry first. Then, follow these steps:
1.PressWindows + Rto open the Run dialog box, typeregedit, and hitEnterto open the Registry Editor.
2.When aUser Account Controlprompt appears to ask permission, click theYesbutton. Browse to the following path in the left sidebar of the Registry Editor:
3.Double-click theSearchOrderConfigDWORD key and enter the value0in theValue databox. Click theOKbutton and close theRegistry Editorwindow.
Restart your computer to apply the changes. To revert this modification, follow the process, and in Step 3, enter the value 1 in theValue databox.
More Manual, No Automatic
While Windows 11’s automatic driver updates are a blessing, sometimes that can make things difficult. Especially, if you use a variety of old and new components or peripherals with your PC. However, that adds to your burden to manually search and add the latest/stable drivers for the respective components on your computer. For stable and smooth-running computer, such an effort would be totally worth it.
Samir Makwana
Samir Makwana helps with edits, works on content strategy, and writes (whenever time permits) about Windows, macOS, iPhone, and other tech in general. Before moving to features and tutorials, he wrote news for years and reviewed software and hardware products ranging from audio gear to computers.
