How to Prevent Automatic Driver Update in Windows 11 – Practical Methods
With These Tricks, You Can Prevent Windows 11 From Automatically Downloading And Installing Driver Updates.
Windows 11 periodically automatically downloads and installs updates to secure and optimize Microsoft’s default software and hardware drivers. Although this feature makes it easy to find and install updates, Updates made available in this way may not always be the latest version and may have incompatible drivers.
Here are some ways to handle Windows 11 automatic updates if you have issues and want to pause or update them manually.
Stop updating drivers using the Group Policy Editor.
To prevent the automatic installation and update of Windows 11 drivers through the Group Policy Editor, do the following:
1. Enter Start.
2. Search for gpedit and click on the first result.
3. Follow this path:
Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Update > Manage updates offered from Windows Update
4. Right-click on the phrase “Do not include a driver with Windows Update” and select Edit.
5. In the opened window, select the Enabled option.
6. Click Apply and then OK.
This will prevent drivers from automatically updating. Repeat the above steps whenever you want to return the settings to the previous state and select “Not configured” in step 5.
Prevent automatic driver updates through Settings.
To stop Windows 11 updates through Settings, do the following steps:
1. Open Settings.
2. Click on System.
3. Click the About page on the right side of the window.
4. Click “Advanced system settings” on the opened page.
5. Click on the Hardware tab.
6. Select “Device Installation Settings.”
7. On the screen that appears, click “No (your device might not work as expected).”
8. Click the Save Changes button.
9. Click OK.
To Prevent Automatic Driver Updates: After completing the steps above, automatic driver updates will stop.
From now on, you will need to perform any system updates manually. To restore the settings to their default state, repeat the steps above and select “Yes” only in step 7.
By applying the methods mentioned, the ability to update hardware drivers via Windows Update will be disabled. Still, installing updates from the file on the local drive will be possible.
FAQ
What is the easiest way to stop automatic driver updates?
Use Device Installation Settings in System Properties and choose “No” to prevent Windows from automatically downloading and installing driver updates.
How can Group Policy be used to prevent driver updates?
In Windows 11 Pro/Enterprise/Education, enable the “Do not include drivers with Windows Update” policy in the Local Group Policy Editor to exclude drivers from automatic updates.
Is it possible to stop automatic driver updates on Windows 11 Home?
Yes — you can change Device Installation Settings or use Registry edits to block driver updates since Home lacks Group Policy Editor.