Windows Update Enable or Disable Include Drivers with Windows Updates in Windows 11


Windows_Update_banner.png

This tutorial will show you how to enable or disable including drivers with Windows Updates in Windows 10 and Windows 11.

Windows Update will include drivers when available in Windows 11 by default.

You can enable the Do not include drivers with Windows Updates policy to not include drivers with Windows quality updates.

Reference:
learn.microsoft.com

Manage additional Windows Update settings

In this article, learn about additional settings to control the behavior of Windows Update in your organization.
learn.microsoft.com

You must be signed in as an administrator to enable or disable including drivers with Windows Updates.


This will still not always prevent drivers for existing devices from getting updated via Windows Update.



Contents

  • Option One: Enable or Disable Include Drivers with Windows Updates in Local Group Policy Editor
  • Option Two: Enable or Disable Include Drivers with Windows Updates using REG file




Option One

Enable or Disable Include Drivers with Windows Updates in Local Group Policy Editor


The Local Group Policy Editor is only available in the Windows 11 Pro, Enterprise, and Education editions.

All editions can use Option Two.


1 Open the Local Group Policy Editor (gpedit.msc).

2 Navigate to the policy location below in the left pane of the Local Group Policy Editor. (see screenshot below)

Computer Configuration>Administrative Templates>Windows Components>Windows Update>Manage updates offered from Windows Updates​

Drivers_with_Windows_Update_gpedit-1.png

3 In the right pane of Manage updates offered from Windows Updates in the Local Group Policy Editor, double click/tap on the Do not include drivers with Windows Updates policy to edit it. (see screenshot above)

4 Do step 5 (enable) or step 6 (disable) below for what you would like to do.

5 To Enable Include Drivers with Windows Updates

This is the default setting.


A) Select (dot) Not Configured, click/tap on OK, and go to step 7 below. (see screenshot below)​

Drivers_with_Windows_Update_gpedit-2.png

6 To Disable Include Drivers with Windows Updates

A) Select (dot) Enabled, click/tap on OK, and go to step 7 below. (see screenshot below)​

Drivers_with_Windows_Update_gpedit-3.png

7 You can now close the Local Group Policy Editor if you like.




Option Two

Enable or Disable Include Drivers with Windows Updates using REG file


This option is more thorough than option one.


1 Do step 2 (enable) or step 3 (disable) below for what you would like to do.

2 To Enable Include Drivers with Windows Updates

This is the default setting.


A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 4 below.​

Enable_include_drivers_with_Windows_Updates.reg​


(Contents of REG file for reference)
Code: 
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate]
"ExcludeWUDriversInQualityUpdate"=-

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\DriverSearching]
"SearchOrderConfig"=dword:00000001

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\WindowsUpdate\UpdatePolicy\PolicyState]
"ExcludeWUDrivers"=dword:00000000

3 To Disable Include Drivers with Windows Updates

A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 4 below.​

Disable_include_drivers_with_Windows_Updates.reg​


(Contents of REG file for reference)
Code: 
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate]
"ExcludeWUDriversInQualityUpdate"=dword:00000001

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\DriverSearching]
"SearchOrderConfig"=dword:00000000

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\WindowsUpdate\UpdatePolicy\PolicyState]
"ExcludeWUDrivers"=dword:00000001

4 Save the .reg file to your desktop.

5 Double click/tap on the downloaded .reg file to merge it.

6 When prompted, click/tap on Run, Yes (UAC), Yes, and OK to approve the merge.

7 Restart the computer to apply.

8 You could now delete the downloaded .reg file if you like.


That's it,
Shawn Brink


Related Tutorials

 

Attachments

Last edited:
Click to expand...
Jett said:
After reading this thread I am a bit confused. So is the consensus that the OP tutorial of either the gpedit or reg edit the way to go? Even with the disclaimer "This will still not always prevent drivers for existing devices from getting updated via Windows Update." is it even worthwhile?

Jett.................
Click to expand...

A couple of things stopped mine.

Winaero Tweaker - Great Windows 10 and 11 tool.


Capture1.webp



And the Chris Titus web tool. Pick the middle selection.


Capture2.webp


The Most Popular Windows Utility

Having Fun with Technology
christitus.com christitus.com

~

Compatible with both Windows 10 and 11.

I personally use both but either one by itself will do...
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 23H2
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Microsoft Surface Pro
    Memory
    16GB
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro 23H2
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo ThinkPad
    Memory
    32GB
@cheaterslick

Winaero works fine, BUT... some Windows Updates will UN-check the "Disable Driver Updates" in Winaero.
After any Windows update I check Winaero for things that MS turned back on. :-)


The easiest way to check, after Windows updates... is to go to File > Import/Export, and pretend to Export your tweaks.
It will show you a list, like below, of all your tweaks. Take a screenshot of the list.
Then after Windows update, just compare the current Export list with the screenshot.


Image1.webp


After a while, you'll get to remember which things MS likes to "undo". :D



Another option, is to actually Export the list, then after every Windows Update... just IMPORT your tweaks. ^^




_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


 How to deal with Windows 11, updates...


1. Make a backup before the Windows Update.
2. Do the Windows Update.
3. Check for any broken things. Then fix them if possible.
4. Check for tweaks that MS... undid. And redo them.
5. Run SFC and DISM...StartComponentCleanup. If they're OK, move to step #6.
6. Run Disk Cleanup and CCleaner (if you use CCleaner).
7. Do steps 3 and 4, again.
8. Make a new fresh backup, so you don't need to redo steps 1 thru 7. :-)

Windows - 11 - update - McDonalds.webp


I do the steps above, after every Windows Update.
Sooner than you think, you won't need the list. All this will become... habit. 8-)
 
Last edited:

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Win 11 Home ♦♦♦26100.3037 ♦♦♦♦♦♦♦24H2 ♦♦♦non-Insider
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Built by Ghot® [May 2020]
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 7 3700X
    Motherboard
    Asus Pro WS X570-ACE (BIOS 4702)
    Memory
    G.Skill (F4-3200C14D-16GTZKW)
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA RTX 2070 (08G-P4-2171-KR)
    Sound Card
    Realtek ALC1220P / ALC S1220A
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell U3011 30"
    Screen Resolution
    2560 x 1600
    Hard Drives
    2x Samsung 860 EVO 500GB,
    WD 4TB Black FZBX - SATA III,
    WD 8TB Black FZBX - SATA III,
    DRW-24B1ST CD/DVD Burner
    PSU
    PC Power & Cooling 750W Quad EPS12V
    Case
    Cooler Master ATCS 840 Tower
    Cooling
    CM Hyper 212 EVO (push/pull)
    Keyboard
    Ducky DK9008 Shine II Blue LED
    Mouse
    Logitech Optical M-100
    Internet Speed
    300/300
    Browser
    Firefox (latest)
    Antivirus
    Bitdefender Internet Security
    Other Info
    Speakers: Klipsch Pro Media 2.1
  • Operating System
    Windows XP Pro 32bit w/SP3
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Built by Ghot® (not in use)
    CPU
    AMD Athlon 64 X2 5000+ (OC'd @ 3.2Ghz)
    Motherboard
    ASUS M2N32-SLI Deluxe Wireless Edition
    Memory
    TWIN2X2048-6400C4DHX (2 x 1GB, DDR2 800)
    Graphics card(s)
    EVGA 256-P2-N758-TR GeForce 8600GT SSC
    Sound Card
    Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    ViewSonic G90FB Black 19" Professional (CRT)
    Screen Resolution
    up to 2048 x 1536
    Hard Drives
    WD 36GB 10,000rpm Raptor SATA
    Seagate 80GB 7200rpm SATA
    Lite-On LTR-52246S CD/RW
    Lite-On LH-18A1P CD/DVD Burner
    PSU
    PC Power & Cooling Silencer 750 Quad EPS12V
    Case
    Generic Beige case, 80mm fans
    Cooling
    ZALMAN 9500A 92mm CPU Cooler
    Mouse
    Logitech Optical M-BT96a
    Keyboard
    Logitech Classic Keybooard 200
    Internet Speed
    300/300
    Browser
    Firefox 3.x ??
    Antivirus
    Symantec (Norton)
    Other Info
    Still assembled, still runs. Haven't turned it on for 13 years?

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Home 22H2(for now)
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Asus TUF 17 FA707NU
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 7 7735HS Mobile
    Memory
    16GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050
    Sound Card
    Dolby Atmos
    Monitor(s) Displays
    17.3-inch FHD
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    1TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe M.2 SSD
Ghot said:
@cheaterslick

Winaero works fine, BUT... some Windows Updates will UN-check the "Disable Driver Updates" in Winaero.
After any Windows update I check Winaero for things that MS turned back on. :-)


The easiest way to check, after Windows updates... is to go to File > Import/Export, and pretend to Export your tweaks.
It will show you a list, like below, of all your tweaks. Take a screenshot of the list.
Then after Windows update, just compare the current Export list with the screenshot.


View attachment 119323


After a while, you'll get to remember which things MS likes to "undo". :D



Another option, is to actually Export the list, then after every Windows Update... just IMPORT your tweaks. ^^




_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


 How to deal with Windows 11, updates...


1. Make a backup before the Windows Update.
2. Do the Windows Update.
3. Check for any broken things. Then fix them if possible.
4. Check for tweaks that MS... undid. And redo them.
5. Run SFC and DISM...StartComponentCleanup. If they're OK, move to step #6.
6. Run Disk Cleanup and CCleaner (if you use CCleaner).
7. Do steps 3 and 4, again.
8. Make a new fresh backup, so you don't need to redo steps 1 thru 7. :-)

View attachment 119324


I do the steps above, after every Windows Update.
Sooner than you think, you won't need the list. All this will become... habit. 8-)
Click to expand...
I always get the burger on the right....with a side order of 25 napkins and 5 wet wipes. Then I stop by the car wash to vacuum the trimmings from my car seat and floor.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Home 22H2(for now)
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Asus TUF 17 FA707NU
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 7 7735HS Mobile
    Memory
    16GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050
    Sound Card
    Dolby Atmos
    Monitor(s) Displays
    17.3-inch FHD
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    1TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe M.2 SSD
Jett said:
I always get the burger on the right....with a side order of 25 napkins and 5 wet wipes. Then I stop by the car wash to vacuum the trimmings from my car seat and floor.
Click to expand...


Well, here's ten points for your burger bravery, and because you filled out your computer specs. :-)
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Win 11 Home ♦♦♦26100.3037 ♦♦♦♦♦♦♦24H2 ♦♦♦non-Insider
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Built by Ghot® [May 2020]
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 7 3700X
    Motherboard
    Asus Pro WS X570-ACE (BIOS 4702)
    Memory
    G.Skill (F4-3200C14D-16GTZKW)
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA RTX 2070 (08G-P4-2171-KR)
    Sound Card
    Realtek ALC1220P / ALC S1220A
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell U3011 30"
    Screen Resolution
    2560 x 1600
    Hard Drives
    2x Samsung 860 EVO 500GB,
    WD 4TB Black FZBX - SATA III,
    WD 8TB Black FZBX - SATA III,
    DRW-24B1ST CD/DVD Burner
    PSU
    PC Power & Cooling 750W Quad EPS12V
    Case
    Cooler Master ATCS 840 Tower
    Cooling
    CM Hyper 212 EVO (push/pull)
    Keyboard
    Ducky DK9008 Shine II Blue LED
    Mouse
    Logitech Optical M-100
    Internet Speed
    300/300
    Browser
    Firefox (latest)
    Antivirus
    Bitdefender Internet Security
    Other Info
    Speakers: Klipsch Pro Media 2.1
  • Operating System
    Windows XP Pro 32bit w/SP3
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Built by Ghot® (not in use)
    CPU
    AMD Athlon 64 X2 5000+ (OC'd @ 3.2Ghz)
    Motherboard
    ASUS M2N32-SLI Deluxe Wireless Edition
    Memory
    TWIN2X2048-6400C4DHX (2 x 1GB, DDR2 800)
    Graphics card(s)
    EVGA 256-P2-N758-TR GeForce 8600GT SSC
    Sound Card
    Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    ViewSonic G90FB Black 19" Professional (CRT)
    Screen Resolution
    up to 2048 x 1536
    Hard Drives
    WD 36GB 10,000rpm Raptor SATA
    Seagate 80GB 7200rpm SATA
    Lite-On LTR-52246S CD/RW
    Lite-On LH-18A1P CD/DVD Burner
    PSU
    PC Power & Cooling Silencer 750 Quad EPS12V
    Case
    Generic Beige case, 80mm fans
    Cooling
    ZALMAN 9500A 92mm CPU Cooler
    Mouse
    Logitech Optical M-BT96a
    Keyboard
    Logitech Classic Keybooard 200
    Internet Speed
    300/300
    Browser
    Firefox 3.x ??
    Antivirus
    Symantec (Norton)
    Other Info
    Still assembled, still runs. Haven't turned it on for 13 years?
Jett said:
Thanks for the advice Cheaterslick!
Click to expand...

No problem. I just started using the Winaero Tweaker tool a couple of months ago, so it's fairly new to me.

I've been using the Chris Titus tool for about a year now and about once a month, I run that tool just to keep it updated. Works fine for me. The only thing you install is the Power Shell link to his server, and that's it. Nothing more. No clunky .cab or .exe software to install.

You can even see the Power Shell running through it as the commands you choose are being applied. There is also an undo function under that Tweaks button should you change your mind. He also has a built-in software updater under the Install button as well. All adware-free.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 23H2
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Microsoft Surface Pro
    Memory
    16GB
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro 23H2
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo ThinkPad
    Memory
    32GB
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