Drivers of all hardware and some virtual devices available in the configuration of any computer system, as you know, play a key role in ensuring their performance.
Without the necessary drivers, no such component will function correctly. But only Windows operating systems often install drivers from their own database, and only those that are digitally signed by Microsoft. It is also possible to install software taking into account those equipment manufacturers for which support from the corporation is declared.
But such an approach is not always logical, and in some cases it is necessary to abandon such an installation in favor of another source or software developer. But how to disable the automatic installation of Windows 7 drivers? It is about this and some other related issues that we are further invited to talk about. But first, let's briefly dwell on why you should refuse to automate the installation and updating of management software.
Why might you refuse to automatically install drivers?
The main problem of absolutely all known versions of Windows is that the system, even if there is no fully adequate driver for the device, does not report this to the user, but installs its own components, which, it seems to it, are best for this equipment.
But this is not always the case. The device itself, even when integrating constantly outgoing updates for the system itself, sometimes containing driver updates, may not work correctly (this is at best) or may not work at all. At the same time, Windows "joyfully" reports that the desired driver is installed successfully.
Even more complaints are caused by the fact that Microsoft’s policy is such that it is forbidden or not recommended to install management software without a special digital signature in the system by default. The firewall, SmartScreen filter, and even Windows Defender often classify such drivers as unwanted or even potentially dangerous software.
In this regard, many questions arise about how to disable the automatic installation of Windows 7 drivers. By and large, in the system itself, all prohibitions can be circumvented quite simply. Four main methods are suggested below.
How to disable driver download from the “Update Center” of Windows 7 or other OS?
So, the first solution is to enter the system properties through RMB on the computer icon, go to the equipment tab and click the device installation options button. You can also access these settings by selecting the device and printer section in the Control Panel.
In the parameters window, it is necessary to mark the item allowing the user to choose, and if it is required, simultaneously activate the item prohibiting the installation of drivers from the "Update Center". Thus, the system will not access either its database during the initial search for a driver, or updates. The user will be able to install the necessary software on their own.
How to disable automatic installation of drivers for Windows 7 and higher in policies?
However, the matter is not limited to the above actions. The system may by default prohibit the installation of unsigned drivers. How to disable automatic driver updates in Windows 7 so that the user himself can choose what exactly he needs to install in each case?
To do this, use the group policy settings (gpedit.msc). In the computer configuration, through the administrative templates section, get to the system section, proceed to the installation of devices and select the restrictions subfolder.
Several parameters will be presented on the right, among which there is a ban on installing device policies that are not described by the parameters. Having entered its editing through a double click, the parameter you just need to switch to the on state, save the options and reboot the system.
As an additional measure, a similar procedure can be done in the user configuration. Only there, in the corresponding activated parameter for the situation when the system finds an unsigned driver, ignoring should be set. You can also set a ban for updates.
Deactivating the installation of management software through the registry
Now let's see how to disable the automatic installation of Windows 7 drivers using the registry settings. In the editor (regedit) you need to use the HKLM branch and find the DriverSearching folder using the path indicated in the image above.
In the window on the right is the SearchOderConfig key. He needs to assign a value of zero instead of the default unit, and then completely restart the computer.
Using Microsoft Utility
How else can I disable auto-update drivers? In Windows 7, as in any other system, for which there is a constant exit of various updates, you can use the "native" utility from Microsoft called Show or hide updates. After its launch, you must select the update hiding and note the updates containing drivers that are undesirable for installation.
Additional measures
As one of the most effective solutions for disabling digital signature checks, it is advisable to use the corresponding item in the start menu, which is called up with the F8 key when the system boots. You can also use the dispatcher configuration by calling it from the command line (verifier), which must be run as administrator, with the removal of existing parameters.
It is the second solution that is most effective if, for some reason, all the prohibitions on installing software unsigned with digital signatures cannot be completely removed.