How to stop Windows from installing drivers even if Group policy editor driver decline is enabled

Question

How to stop Windows from installing drivers even if Group policy editor driver decline is enabled

DJ 0

I have had nothing but issues with drivers conflicts since latest update. So re-installed Windows, downloaded and installed all drivers for my system from the mfg the edited Group Policy Editor to not allow driver updates. The thing decided to re-install the very driver updates that are causing driver conflicts even when told not to! How is this stopped???!

SITI NOORAZLIN BINTI MOHAMMAD Moe 0 Reputation points

2026-06-24T04:32:25.2666667+00:00

To stop Windows from installing drivers even when the Group Policy setting “Do not include drivers with Windows Updates” is enabled, you need to apply multiple layers of control because Windows can bypass that policy through other mechanisms. First, confirm the policy is correctly applied and run gpupdate /force, then restart your system. Next, go to Control Panel → System → Advanced system settings → Hardware → Device Installation Settings and select “No” to prevent Windows from automatically downloading device drivers. For stronger enforcement, add or set the registry value
DJ 0 Reputation points

2026-06-24T06:35:11.9466667+00:00

Thanks but did that. Even went so far as to force it and changed settings in system....still decided to install drivers.

2 answers

Your answer

SITI NOORAZLIN BINTI MOHAMMAD Moe 0 Reputation points

2026-06-24T04:32:25.2666667+00:00

To stop Windows from installing drivers even when the Group Policy setting “Do not include drivers with Windows Updates” is enabled, you need to apply multiple layers of control because Windows can bypass that policy through other mechanisms. First, confirm the policy is correctly applied and run gpupdate /force, then restart your system. Next, go to Control Panel → System → Advanced system settings → Hardware → Device Installation Settings and select “No” to prevent Windows from automatically downloading device drivers. For stronger enforcement, add or set the registry value
DJ 0 Reputation points

2026-06-24T06:35:11.9466667+00:00

Thanks but did that. Even went so far as to force it and changed settings in system....still decided to install drivers.

Answer 1

DJ 0

Appreciate the help. Hopefully Microsoft sees more like this and does something

Ramesh Srinivasan 84,355 Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-06-24T04:28:16.49+00:00

You don't need to change 2 GPOs. The one I mentioned should be enough. But it's per-device. I'm afraid that's all the options we have.

If you wish to send feedback to Microsoft regarding this, please use the Feedback Hub (Win+F)
DJ 0 Reputation points

2026-06-24T06:38:31.9233333+00:00

The fact is the main should ber good enough if you want blanket coverage. And as it is, Microsoft seems to not really care as we have been bitching toi them the past 2 weeks. You would figure they would learn when updates caused crashes just recently.
Ramesh Srinivasan 84,355 Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-06-24T07:03:42.25+00:00

Please try Option 2 in the following link. It covers two more registry locations.

https://www.elevenforum.com/t/enable-or-disable-include-drivers-with-windows-updates-in-windows-11.2232/

Standard Disclaimer: There is a link to a non-Microsoft website. The page appears to provide accurate, safe information. Watch out for ads on the site that may advertise products frequently classified as PUPs (Potentially Unwanted Products). Thoroughly research any product advertised on the site before you decide to download and install it.

Answer 2

Ramesh Srinivasan 84,355 Independent Advisor

Hi,

You can prevent automatic driver updates for specific hardware using a group policy.

In the local group policy editor, go to the following section:

Computer configuration → Administrative Templates → System → Device Installation → Device Installation Restrictions

Double-click Prevent installation of devices that match any of these device IDs.

You can input the Hardware Id of the device for which you want to block driver updates. The hardware ID of the device can be obtained using Device Manager.

References:

How to Prevent Windows from Automatically Updating Specific Drivers: https://www.howtogeek.com/263851/how-to-prevent-windows-from-automatically-updating-specific-drivers/

See Method 3: Prevent driver installation for a specific device in this link: https://www.winhelponline.com/blog/prevent-wu-driver-update-automatic-realtek/#deviceid)

Note: A downside of the above method is that the driver updates (manual or via WU) are impossible unless the policy is removed. In future, when you want to apply a driver update manually, you must undo the above policy setting, update the drivers, and then apply the policy again.

Standard Disclaimer: There is a link to a non-Microsoft website. The page appears to provide accurate, safe information. Watch out for ads on the site that may advertise products frequently classified as PUPs (Potentially Unwanted Products). Thoroughly research any product advertised on the site before you decide to download and install it.

Ramesh Srinivasan 84,355 Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-06-23T22:53:08.3866667+00:00

Addendum: The above GPO is different from the Do not include drivers with Windows Updates policy, which you seem to have tried earlier.
DJ 0 Reputation points

2026-06-23T23:11:37.6566667+00:00

AS I stated, I edited the Group policy editor already. It was suppose to not allow any driver updates yet looking at history after started having conflicts and drivers updated. Even went so far as to use admin cmd and gpupdate /force so it would not apply updates. Yet here I am with a whole slew of driver updates and having conflicts again
Ramesh Srinivasan 84,355 Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-06-23T23:14:06.4866667+00:00

There are at least 2 update policies. As you did not mention the policy you tried, I've posted the GPO name and the steps to block updates for specific hardware. Did you find the hardware ID of the respective device and block it using GPO?
DJ 0 Reputation points

2026-06-23T23:30:37.5633333+00:00

I researched the solutions prior to going to GPE. The specific device method you pointed to, is if 1 or 2 devices are causing an issue. That way those devices will be the only affected units and can be taken out of the equation. I do not want, and it is what the policy editor is suppose to implement for Windows updates, any drivers to be updated via Windows. Otherwise that blanket "do not update" is useless.
I even turned off "Receive updates for other Microsoft Products" and turned on "Download updates over metered connections" Yet somehow, here we are. And reading in forums this afternoon, looks like I am not alone.
Ramesh Srinivasan 84,355 Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-06-24T04:16:57.8833333+00:00
Unfortunately, the GPO I mentioned is the only reliable method to stop driver updates (per device).

Another option, the WUShowHide.diagcab tool, can block driver updates. But when a new driver version is released via WU, the WUShowHide.diagcab tool also needs to be run again.

Download the Microsoft's wushowhide.diagcab tool and hide the offending driver using the tool:

https://download.microsoft.com/download/f/2/2/f22d5fdb-59cd-4275-8c95-1be17bf70b21/wushowhide.diagcab
DJ 0 Reputation points

2026-06-24T04:25:04.7133333+00:00

Appreciate the help but as I stated, what good is a group policy editor when Microsoft itself wont adhere to it. Should not need to go to 2 different group policy edits just to stop the blanket of drivers. That, and to add insult to injury, I had all the driver updates I did not want installed taken off the list just to be safe. Somehow thou...here we are.