Windows 11 forcefully updates my wi fi card drivers even though I turned it off

Question

So I have a tp-link AC1300 v1 and it works fine on the latest drivers from the producent's site which were published in 2020. Once a week windows 11 decides to update it to 2025 version but I have no clue where it gets them from and they barely work. My dowload speed drop from fairly stable 400mb/s to 10mb/s and my wi fi disconects every 3 minutes. I turned off "Do you want to automatically download manufacturers' apps abd custom icons available for your devices" but it didn't do anything. How to block windows from updating those drivers?

Answer 1

Hi, good day!

Please check and try Shawn Brink's tutorial guide in the link below on How to Prevent Windows Update from Updating Specific Device Driver in Windows 10. This also applies to Windows 11.

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/5812578/windows-11-forcefully-updates-my-wi-fi-card-driver

I look forward to your update and am willing to collaborate with you until we resolve the issue. Keep me posted by clicking "Add comments" below.

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Answer 2

Windows Update is still allowed to deliver driver updates for devices even if manufacturer apps and icons are disabled. To stop Windows 11 from repeatedly installing the problematic Wi‑Fi driver, use driver control via Windows Update and Device Manager, and then keep the working version installed.

1. Install and keep the known‑good TP‑Link driver
   • Download the stable 2020 driver from the TP‑Link support site on another device if needed.
   • Install it and confirm Wi‑Fi works correctly.
2. Use Windows Update to manage driver delivery
   • In Windows 11, go to Start > Settings > Windows Update > Advanced options.
   • Turn Receive updates for other Microsoft products On so all driver options are visible.
   • Under Additional options, select Optional updates.
   • In Driver updates, do not select the TP‑Link/Wi‑Fi adapter driver. Only install other drivers you need.
   • Back in Windows Update, select Check for updates and install all non‑Wi‑Fi driver updates.
   This ensures Windows Update is not automatically pulling an optional Wi‑Fi driver from Microsoft’s catalog when it appears as an optional update.
3. If Windows has already installed the bad driver
   • Open Device Manager (search for device manager from Start).
   • Expand Network adapters.
   • Right‑click the TP‑Link Wi‑Fi adapter > Uninstall device.
   • Check Attempt to remove the driver for this device > Uninstall.
   • Restart the PC. Windows will attempt to reinstall a driver.
   • If Windows does not automatically install the correct driver, manually install the 2020 TP‑Link driver again.
   This follows the supported approach for removing a problematic network driver and letting Windows reinstall or allowing manual installation of a known‑good version.
4. Keep drivers updated only from trusted sources
   • For future updates, prefer:
     • Windows Update for general driver updates (excluding the problematic Wi‑Fi driver), and
     • The TP‑Link support page for that specific Wi‑Fi adapter.

If Windows Update continues to push the newer Wi‑Fi driver as an optional update, leave that specific driver unchecked in Optional updates so it is never installed.

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References:

• Automatically get recommended and updated hardware drivers
• Update drivers through Device Manager in Windows
• Fix Wi-Fi connection issues in Windows