Instructions to block automatic driver installation on Windows 11

Although Windows 11 can download drivers for your computer without user intervention, you don't always want to install drivers automatically to avoid unwanted problems. Here's how to block automatic driver updates on Windows.

How to block automatic driver installation on Windows

Step 1:

Open Settings on Windows, then select System and click About to continue.

Step 2:

In the new interface, click on Advanced system settings as shown below.

Step 3:

In the new interface, click on the Hardware tab , then click on Device Installation Settings .

Now you just need to click No (your device might not work as expected) then click Save Changes to save the changes.

Windows will not install the driver automatically then. If you add a new graphics card or printer, you will install the driver manually.

How to block automatic driver installation via Group Policy

Step 1:

You type gpedit in the search bar and then click Local Group Policy Editor to access.

Step 2:

Now you need to access the link below.

Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Update > Manage updates offered from Windows Update

Step 2:

Look to the side and click on Do not include driver with Windows Update .

Step 3:

Finally, click Enabled to enable automatic driver installation blocking on Windows.

How to block automatic driver installation via Windows Registry

Step 1:

Type regedit in the search bar , then click Registry Editor to access.

Step 2:

Then you access the link below.

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\DriverSearching

Step 3:

Look to the side and double click on the SearchOrderConfig value and change it from 1 to 0 .

Restart your computer for the changes to take effect.

Once you complete the steps, setting SearchOrderConfig to 0 will block the update driver every time Windows 11 checks for new updates.