How to Disable Automatic Driver Updates Windows 10 from Settings

Generally Windows operating system tries to update the diver version though Windows Update. If you connect a new device to your Windows 10 computer, Windows 10 will automatically check, download and install the corresponding driver in an aim to normally use this device. And Microsoft will try to update the device drivers to the latest version.

However, most vendors now provide ways to update their hardware drivers. Below are 3 ways to turn off automatic driver updates in Windows 10.

Step 1. Open Control Panel

At first, you can press Windows + R keys on the keyboard to open Windows Run. Type control panel and hit Enter key to open Control Panel.

You can also click Start and type control panel and choose the top result to open Windows Control Panel.

Step 2. Access Windows 10 System Settings

Next you can click System and Security -> System to enter into Windows 10 system settings page.

To quickly access Windows 10 system settings window, you can also press the shortcut key Windows + X, and click System.

After that, click System info under Related settings, then click Advanced system settings in the left panel.

Step 3. Disable Automatic Driver Updates in Windows 10

Then you can tap Hardware tab, and click Device Installation Settings button.

In the pop-up Device Installation Settings window, you can tick No (your device might not work as expected) under the message “Do you want to automatically download manufacturers’ apps and custom icons available for your devices?”

Click Save Changes, restart your Windows 10 computer, and Windows 10 update drivers automatically feature will be turned off.

How to Stop Windows 10 from Automatically Updating Device Drivers Using Group Policy

For Windows 10 Pro users, you can also turn off automatic driver updates in Windows 10 by using Local Group Policy Editor. Check the steps below.

Step 1. You can press Windows logo key and R key on the keyboard, and input gpedit.msc and hit Enter to open Local Group Policy Editor.

Step 2. Next you can expand folders from the left column: Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Update.

Step 3. Browse the list in the right window to find Do not include drivers with Windows Update, and double-click it.

Step 4. Then click Enabled, click Apply, and click OK. Thus you’ve disabled automatic driver updates in Windows 10.

If you want to go back to previous settings, you need to click Not Configured option in Step 4.

How to Disable Automatic Driver Updates Windows 10 through Registry

You also exclude driver updates in Windows 10 using Registry, but need to mention that editing the Registry is a risky process, and it may cause errors to your Windows installation if you make some mistakes. You can make a full system backup of your Windows 10 PC before doing this.

Step 1. Open Windows Run by pressing Windows + R keys at the same time. Type regedit and hit Enter to open Registry.

Step 2. Click HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE -> SOFTWARE -> Policies -> Microsoft -> Windows.

Step 3. Then you can right-click Windows and click New -> Key, and name the key WindowsUpdate.

Step 4. Right-click the created WindowsUpdate key and click New -> DWORD (32-bit) Value, and name the new value ExcludeWUDriversInQualityUpdate. Then double-click the DWORD and set the value to “1”. Click OK.

Step 5. Restart your Windows 10 PC and this setting will take effect. If you want to reverse this change, you can go back to Registry Editor and delete the ExcludeWUDriversInQualityUpdate key you created.