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How to prevent automatic Windows 11 updates from overwriting critical driver versions?

Anonymous
2024-04-23T14:12:57+00:00

I'm playing Warzone 3 on Windows 11, and this game requires an Intel graphics driver version 49 or higher to run properly. I download and install the latest driver version (version 53) from Intel's website, and the game runs fine. However, Windows automatically attempts to update drivers, and it ends up installing an older version (version 45), which breaks the game.

I'm then forced to reinstall the newer driver version again. In general, Windows updates have never been helpful for me and always seem to cause some issue. Additionally, since I have a limited internet data plan, these updates consume a significant portion of my monthly allowance, which is frustrating.

I've tried disabling the update service, but it keeps re-enabling itself. Every time I turn on my laptop, the first thing I have to do is disable the update service, which is a futile exercise. I've also tried making changes to the registry to prevent automatic updates, but that didn't work either.

Could you please guide me on how to permanently stop automatic Windows updates from overwriting my critical driver versions? I need a reliable solution to this issue.

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Windows update

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  1. Paulo GM 63,705 Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2024-04-23T17:08:42+00:00

    Hi Dani, I am Paulo and I'd like to help.

    I've encountered this issue multiple times with my audio driver, and it's frustrating to constantly have to roll back or reinstall the driver. However, I've found that disabling driver updates in Windows Update is effective for my device. Try applying this solution and see if it works for you as well.

    Disable Driver Updates

    • Open Notepad and save this as disabledriver.reg or any name you prefer
    • Run the .reg file to apply and merge 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

    If in case you want to enable it in the future, here's the .reg as well

    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

    Source: https://www.elevenforum.com/t/enable-or-disable...

    (Disclaimer: Elevenforum is a non-Microsoft website but the page provides accurate, safe information and is created by a Windows MVP. Watch out for ads on the site that may advertise products frequently classified as PUP (Potentially Unwanted Products). Thoroughly research any product advertised on the site before you decide to download and install it.)

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  2. Paulo GM 63,705 Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2024-04-24T12:44:21+00:00

    I'm glad you were able to find another workaround. I hope this resolves the issue, and if it does, I might use this solution as well in the future should my audio driver problem persist. ^^

    1 person found this answer helpful.
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  3. Anonymous
    2024-04-24T12:07:10+00:00

    While the registry modification you outlined seems promising, I've found an alternative approach that has successfully resolved my problem without requiring any manual registry edits.

    Specifically, I've been using a third-party application called "Windows Update Blocker" to disable all Windows updates, including driver updates,

    Additionally, I've also utilized the Group Policy Editor to navigate to the following path:

    Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Update

    Within this path, I've disabled specific policies related to driver updates and automatic restarts for Windows Update.

    Thanks for the suggestion. For now, it seems to have worked, but it's unclear if updates will try to reinstall drivers again. If my current approach fails, I'll test your proposed registry modification.

    Thank you again for your assistance and for contributing to the discussion. It's always helpful to have multiple solutions available for resolving such issues.

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