Drivers are essential software components that allow your computer's hardware to communicate effectively with Windows 11. While automatic driver updates help keep your system running smoothly, there may be situations where you want to disable this feature. Whether you need specific driver versions for certain applications or wish to prevent unexpected changes, here are several methods to stop Windows from automatically downloading drivers.

1. Use the Group Policy Editor to Stop Automatic Driver Updates

Note: The Group Policy Editor is only available in Windows 11 Pro and higher editions.

Step 1: Click on the Start button and type Group Policy in the search bar. From the results, select 'Edit Group Policy'.

Step 2: In the Group Policy Editor window, navigate to 'Computer Configuration' on the left pane and expand 'Administrative Templates'.

Step 3: Under 'Administrative Templates', select 'Windows Components'.

Step 4: Scroll through the list and double-click on 'Windows Update' to access its settings.

Step 5: In the right pane, find and double-click on 'Manage updates offered from Windows Update'.

Step 6: Locate 'Do not include drivers with Windows Updates' and double-click it to modify the policy.

Step 7: In the policy settings window, select 'Enabled' to activate the policy. Click 'Apply' and then 'OK' to save your changes.

2. Turn Off Automatic Driver Updates Using Registry Editor

Step 1: Open the Start Menu and type Registry Editor into the search field. Click on the 'Registry Editor' app from the results.

Step 2: In the Registry Editor, navigate to the following path by copying and pasting it into the address bar and pressing Enter:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\DriverSearching

Step 3: On the right side, double-click the 'SearchOrderConfig' entry to edit its value.

Step 4: In the 'Value data' box, change the value to 0 and click 'OK' to apply the change.

3. Disable Automatic Driver Updates Using Settings

Step 1: Click on the Start menu and select the 'Settings' icon to open the Settings app.

Step 2: In the Settings window, ensure that 'System' is selected on the left sidebar.

Step 3: On the right pane, scroll down and click on 'About'.

Step 4: Under the 'Related settings' section, click on 'Advanced system settings' to open the System Properties window.

Step 5: In the 'System Properties' window, click on the 'Hardware' tab and then select 'Device Installation Settings'.

Step 6: In the 'Device Installation Settings' dialog box, choose 'No (your device might not work as expected)' and click 'Save Changes'. You may be prompted for administrator credentials to proceed.

Although automatic driver updates can enhance your system's performance and security, there are times when disabling them is necessary. By following the methods outlined above, you can prevent Windows 11 from automatically downloading and installing driver updates, giving you greater control over your system's configuration.