sodcalculator

10 Tech How-To

Disable Driver Updates in Windows 10: 3 Ways

Guide 10-32995 · Updated · Step by step

Windows 10 automatically downloads and installs driver updates through Windows Update. While this keeps hardware working, a bad driver can cause crashes, performance issues, or break a device that was working perfectly. This guide shows you how to stop automatic driver updates using three methods: the system settings, Group Policy (for Pro and Enterprise), and the Registry (for all editions). You’ll need administrator access to your PC.

What You’ll Need

  • An administrator account on Windows 10
  • If using the Group Policy method: Windows 10 Pro, Enterprise, or Education (not Home)
  • For the Registry method: any edition of Windows 10
  • About 10 minutes of time

Step-by-Step

Method 1: Disable via System Settings (Simplest)

  1. Press Windows + I to open Settings.
  2. Click System, then select About from the left sidebar.
  3. Scroll down and click Advanced system settings (under “Related settings”).
  4. In the System Properties window, go to the Hardware tab.
  5. Click the Device Installation Settings button.
  6. Select No (your device might not work as expected).
  7. Click Save Changes. This stops automatic driver downloads from Windows Update, but it does not block manual updates or updates from manufacturers.

Method 2: Disable via Group Policy (Pro/Enterprise)

  1. Press Windows + R, type gpedit.msc, and press Enter.
  2. Navigate to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Update > Manage updates offered from Windows Update.
  3. Double-click Do not include drivers with Windows Updates.
  4. Set it to Enabled, then click OK.
  5. Close the Group Policy Editor. This prevents Windows Update from offering driver updates, but it does not stop automatic driver downloads from Device Manager.

Method 3: Disable via Registry (All Editions)

  1. Press Windows + R, type regedit, and press Enter. Click Yes if prompted by User Account Control.
  2. Navigate to: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate
  3. If the WindowsUpdate key does not exist, right-click Windows, select New > Key, and name it WindowsUpdate.
  4. Inside the WindowsUpdate key, right-click in the empty space, select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value, and name it ExcludeWUDriversInQualityUpdate.
  5. Double-click the new value, set its data to 1, and click OK.
  6. Close the Registry Editor and restart your PC for the change to take effect.

Common Mistakes

  • Using Method 1 only: It stops automatic driver downloads from Windows Update, but Device Manager can still fetch drivers when you manually check for updates. To fully block, combine with Method 2 or 3.
  • Editing the wrong registry key: Make sure you create the DWORD under WindowsUpdate, not under Windows directly. A typo in the value name (e.g., “ExcludeWUDriversInQualityUpdate” vs. “ExcludeWUDriversInQualityUpdates”) means it won’t work.
  • Forgetting to restart: Registry changes often require a reboot to take effect. If you don’t restart, the setting may not apply.
  • Disabling all Windows updates: These methods only block driver updates, not security updates. If you accidentally set “Configure Automatic Updates” to disabled, you’ll stop all updates—not what you want.

Tips

  • Keep a manual update habit: Once you block automatic driver updates, check for driver updates manually every few months via Device Manager or your hardware manufacturer’s website. This ensures you still get important fixes.
  • Use the “Show update notifications” option: In Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update > Advanced options, enable “Notify me when a restart is required” so you don’t lose work to an unexpected reboot.
  • Create a restore point: Before making registry changes, create a system restore point (Control Panel > Recovery > Configure System Restore). If something goes wrong, you can roll back.
  • Test after each method: After applying a method, try to manually update a driver (e.g., right-click a device in Device Manager > Update driver). If it still finds a driver online, the block isn’t working.

Troubleshooting

  • Drivers still update after following the steps: Check that you’ve applied the correct method for your edition. If you used Method 1, also apply Method 2 or 3. Also verify the registry value is set to 1 and that you restarted.
  • Group Policy Editor not found: This happens on Windows 10 Home. Use Method 3 (Registry) instead—it works on all editions.
  • Registry edit doesn’t take effect: Ensure you’re logged in as an administrator. Also check that the path is exactly HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate—if you put it under HKEY_CURRENT_USER, it won’t apply system-wide.
  • Windows Update shows an error after changes: This is rare but can happen if the Group Policy or registry setting conflicts with other policies. Revert the changes (set the policy to “Not Configured” or delete the DWORD) and restart.
  • Device Manager still shows “Windows found driver software”: That’s normal—it means Windows has a cached driver. To remove it, use Device Manager to uninstall the device, then reinstall using a driver you downloaded manually.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will this stop security updates?

No. These methods only block driver updates. Security and quality updates for Windows itself will still download and install normally.

Can I re-enable automatic driver updates later?

Yes. Simply reverse the steps: set the Group Policy to “Not Configured,” delete the registry DWORD, or change the Device Installation Settings back to “Yes.”

Why would I want to disable driver updates?

Common reasons: a new driver causes crashes or blue screens, you’re using specialized hardware that needs a specific driver version, or you prefer to control when updates happen to avoid surprises.

Does this affect drivers installed from the manufacturer’s website?

No. These methods only block Windows Update from offering drivers. Manually downloaded drivers from manufacturers will still install normally.

What if I only want to block a specific driver update?

You can use the “Show or hide updates” troubleshooter from Microsoft. Download it, run it, and select “Hide updates” to hide a specific driver. This is a one-time fix rather than a permanent block.

Is it safe to edit the registry?

Yes, if you follow the steps exactly. Creating a restore point first is recommended. The specific key used here is standard and documented by Microsoft, but incorrect edits elsewhere can cause problems.

Related

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

More in this bed

The whole Tech How-To bed →