Using “Policy Editor” approach to not download any driver automatically

Question

I did not want my Windows 10 to download any graphics drivers automatically. So using the “Policy Editor” approach, I set up my Windows 10 to not download any drivers automatically. And then I restarted my machine.

After doing all this, I was thinking I wanted to install my “Intel & Bluetooth” driver updates that were available. I could see them if I run the MS Tool “wushowhide”. So, I unhid them, and “wushowhide” told me they were unhidden (fixed).

However, if I run windows update, I do not see them. Why?

Answer 1

Based on your provided information, I will give you some recommend to try it out :

Option 1: You can manually install the Drivers, if you do want the latest Intel or Bluetooth drivers:

• Go to the Intel Driver & Support Assistant https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/support/detect.htmlto download them directly.
• Or install them from the PC manufacturer’s website.
• This bypasses Windows Update entirely.

Option 2: You should check for optional Updates section, if you want to allow Windows to install the hidden drivers now that you’ve unhidden them:

• Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update.
• Click “View optional updates” (this appears only if optional drivers are available).
• See if your Intel or Bluetooth driver is listed under Driver updates.
• Select and install from there.

Option 3: Then try to re-enable Driver Updates temporarily, if you want Windows Update to auto-fetch them:

• Open gpedit.msc.
• Go to: Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Update > Do not include drivers with Windows Updates
• Set this policy to “Not Configured” or “Disabled”.
• Restart the computer.
• Recheck Windows Update.
• After drivers are installed, you can re-enable the policy.

*Beside those step I also have a note for you that wushowhide.diagcab is a "soft block" tool — it merely signals to Windows Update what updates it should skip or not skip, but it doesn’t force install anything. It also doesn’t override Group Policy restrictions. That’s why even after un-hiding updates, you still may not see them until the system is allowed to install them and deems them applicable.