How to View and Block Recently Updated Windows Drivers
By Timothy Tibbetts |
Windows 10 & 11 can update your drivers for you, and frankly, they tend to run months behind. This article shows you how to see the latest drivers installed by Windows and how to disable Windows driver updates while we're at it.
1: View Installed Drivers
Click Start > Settings > Update & Security > Windows Updates. Click on View update history on the right.
Scroll down to Driver Updates and click on the arrow to expand the list.
Sadly, this section is otherwise useless beyond letting you know what's installed. There is no way to uninstall the drivers or opt-out of Windows automatic driver updates through Windows, but we can by using the Registry Editor or Group Policy Editor.
2: Disable Windows Driver Downloads
These steps, including video, were copied from How To Stop Windows Updates From Downloading Drivers on Windows 10.
We have two ways to accomplish disabling driver updates; Group Policy Editor (best for Windows 10 Pro users) or using the Registry Editor.
1: Disable Driver Updates Using the Registry Editor
Editing the Registry will work for both Windows 10 home and Pro users.
Press the Windows Key + R and type in regedit then press Enter.
Copy and paste HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows into the search bar and press Enter.
Check for a key on the right named WindowsUpdate. If you have this key, move on to the next step. If you don't have this key, then right-click on the Windows key and select New, Key and name it WindowsUpdate.
Right-click on the newly created WindowsUpdate key and select New, and click on DWORD (32-bit) Value. Name this new DWORD ExcludeWUDriversInQualityUpdate.
Finally, double-click on ExcludeWUDriversInQualityUpdate and change the Value Data from 0 to 1, and press OK. A reboot is required for the changes to take effect.
Should you change your mind later, follow the above steps, and restore the Value Data to 0.
2: Disable Driver Updates Using Group Policy Editor
Note: Group Policy Editor is not available on Windows 10 Home. You'll need Enable Group Policy Editor (gpedit.msc) in Windows 10 Home Edition.
Start Group Policy Editor by pressing the Windows Key + R and type in gpedit.msc then press Enter.
Navigate to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Update
Now, scroll on the right side, find and double-click on Do not include drivers with Windows Update.
Click on Enable, Apply, then OK.
Enable allows Windows 10 to download all of the necessary Windows Updates you need minus the drivers.
Should you change your mind later, follow these steps and choose the default option, Not Configured.
Similar:
How-To Stop Windows Updates From Downloading Drivers on Windows 10 & 11
How to Download the Latest Drivers for Windows
How-To Backup and Restore Your Drivers
How to Use Driver Verifier Manager to Troubleshoot Driver Issues
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1: View Installed Drivers
Click Start > Settings > Update & Security > Windows Updates. Click on View update history on the right.
Scroll down to Driver Updates and click on the arrow to expand the list.
Sadly, this section is otherwise useless beyond letting you know what's installed. There is no way to uninstall the drivers or opt-out of Windows automatic driver updates through Windows, but we can by using the Registry Editor or Group Policy Editor.
2: Disable Windows Driver Downloads
These steps, including video, were copied from How To Stop Windows Updates From Downloading Drivers on Windows 10.
We have two ways to accomplish disabling driver updates; Group Policy Editor (best for Windows 10 Pro users) or using the Registry Editor.
1: Disable Driver Updates Using the Registry Editor
Editing the Registry will work for both Windows 10 home and Pro users.
Press the Windows Key + R and type in regedit then press Enter.
Copy and paste HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows into the search bar and press Enter.
Check for a key on the right named WindowsUpdate. If you have this key, move on to the next step. If you don't have this key, then right-click on the Windows key and select New, Key and name it WindowsUpdate.
Right-click on the newly created WindowsUpdate key and select New, and click on DWORD (32-bit) Value. Name this new DWORD ExcludeWUDriversInQualityUpdate.
Finally, double-click on ExcludeWUDriversInQualityUpdate and change the Value Data from 0 to 1, and press OK. A reboot is required for the changes to take effect.
Should you change your mind later, follow the above steps, and restore the Value Data to 0.
2: Disable Driver Updates Using Group Policy Editor
Note: Group Policy Editor is not available on Windows 10 Home. You'll need Enable Group Policy Editor (gpedit.msc) in Windows 10 Home Edition.
Start Group Policy Editor by pressing the Windows Key + R and type in gpedit.msc then press Enter.
Navigate to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Update
Now, scroll on the right side, find and double-click on Do not include drivers with Windows Update.
Click on Enable, Apply, then OK.
Enable allows Windows 10 to download all of the necessary Windows Updates you need minus the drivers.
Should you change your mind later, follow these steps and choose the default option, Not Configured.
Similar:
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