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Disable Windows Update automatic driver updates

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Works with Windows 10 and 11Works with Windows Vista, XP, 7, 8, 10, 11, and Windows Server 2008 or newer.
  • Windows onlyThis script improves your privacy on Windows
  • Multiple actionsThis page belongs to a category, containing some changes with similar goal.
  • Impact: Medium

    System Functionality / Data Loss Risk: Moderate

    This action improves privacy with minimal impact when you run the recommended script.

    This action improves privacy with some impact when you run the recommended script.
  • Batch (batchfile)These changes use Windows system commands to update your settings.
  • 6 scripts
  • No subcategories
  • Administrator rights requiredThis script requires privilege access to do the system changes
  • Fully reversible

    You can fully restore this action (revert back to the original behavior) using this website.

    The restore/revert methods provided here can help you fix issues.

Overview​

This category prevents Windows Update from automatically downloading and installing device drivers.

A device driver is essential software that enables Windows to communicate with your computer's hardware components 1. For example:

  • Graphics cards need drivers to display images properly
  • Printers need drivers to print documents
  • Mice and keyboards need drivers to function correctly

By default, Windows downloads two types of updates for your devices automatically 1:

  • Device drivers: Software that enables communication between Windows and hardware 1
  • Device information: High-resolution icons, product details, and manufacturer information 1

This category enhances your privacy by:

  • Blocking Windows from automatically sending your hardware information to Microsoft 3 4
  • Stopping automatic connections to third-party driver servers 3 5
  • Giving you control over which drivers are installed and when
  • Reducing data collection during driver installations

These settings are officially recommended for:

  • Privacy protection by Microsoft 4
  • Security compliance by the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) 3 5

It may enhance system stability by:

  • Preventing installation of outdated drivers from Windows database 2
  • Avoiding conflicts between manual drivers and Windows Update 2
  • Maintaining consistent hardware performance for testing and benchmarks 6
  • Reducing unexpected system changes

Additionally, this category may improve performance by:

  • Reducing resource usage by eliminating hardware and network activity from automatic driver downloads.
  • Maintaining optimized drivers from your device manufacturer for the best performance.
Caution

After using scripts from this category, you may need to manually install and update device drivers.

  1. Security Trade-off

    This action prioritizes privacy over certain security features. It's not recommended and should only be used by advanced users after understanding its implications.

    Increased Privacy

    Enhanced privacy through reduced data collection and tracking

    Decreased Security

    Some security features will be disabled or limited

    This script can be reversed, this action allows you to can restore the system security.

  2. Use with Caution

    This script is only recommended if you understand its implications.

    Some non-critical or features may no longer function correctly after running this script.

    This script can be fully reversed to restore changes if something goes wrong.

Sources
PrivacyLearn.com maintains strict sourcing standards for accuracy, integrity and up-to-date content. Our content relies on authoritative sources including vendor documentation, industry standards, and verified research. Learn more about our verification process and quality standards in our editorial standards page.

Apply Now​

Choose one of two ways to apply:

Download script​

Download and run the script directly
  • No app needed
  • Offline usage
  • Easy-to-apply
  • Free
  • Open-source

High — Advanced Privacy​

  • For advanced privacy-conscious users
  • May affect some features

Read more about High and other protection levels

Help

How to apply or restore "Disable Windows Update automatic driver updates" using script​

  • ≈ 2 min to complete
  • Tools: Web Browser
  • Difficulty: Simple
  • ≈ 5 instructions
  1. 1

    Download

    Download the script file by clicking on the   Apply protection  button above.
    Use   Undo protection button above to restore changes.
  2. 2

    Keep the file

    If warned by your browser, keep the file.
  3. 3

    Open

    Open the downloaded file.
  4. 4

    Exit

    Once it's done, press any key to exit the window.
  5. 5

    Restart

    Restart your computer for all changes to take effect.

Apply with privacy.sexy​

Guided, automated application with safety checks
  • Recommended for most users
  • Includes safety checks
  • Shows the code
  • Free
  • Open-source
  • Popular
  • Offline/Online usage
Open privacy.sexy
Help

How to apply or restore "Disable Windows Update automatic driver updates" using privacy.sexy​

  • ≈ 3 min to complete
  • Tools: privacy.sexy
  • Difficulty: Simple
  • ≈ 4 instructions
privacy.sexy is free and open-source application that lets securely apply this action easily with more advanced options.
  1. 1

    Open or download

    Open or download the desktop application
  2. 2

    Choose script

    1. Search for the category name: Disable Windows Update automatic driver updates
    2. Check the category by clicking on the checkbox of the category.
  3. 3

    Run

    Click on ▶️ Run button at the bottom of the page.

    This button only appears on desktop version (recommended). On browser, use 💾 Save button.

Explore This Guide​

  • 6 Privacy settings

Choose what to protect based on your needs:

Click any option to learn more about what it does.

Each change can be applied and reversed individually.

Some settings and commands may require technical knowledge to apply correctly.

Disable Windows Update hardware information collection

This script stops Windows from downloading device information and updates from the internet automatically. When you connect a new device to your computer, Windows typically downloads: Software enabling Windows to communicate with your hardware High-resolution icons, product details, and manufacturer information Device drivers: • Device metadata (or device information): By default, Windows automatically searches and downloads this information to help you: Identify and distinguish betw...

Disable Windows Update driver downloads

This script prevents Windows Update from automatically downloading and installing device driver updates. By default, Windows Update includes driver updates alongside regular system updates. With this script, driver updates will no longer be included in Windows updates. This script improves your privacy by: Blocking automatic connections to third-party driver servers • Reducing data collection during driver installations • Allowing you to control which drivers are updated and when Windows Update ...

Disable Windows Update driver search

This script prevents Windows Update from automatically finding and installing device drivers. By default, Windows Update searches for device drivers when new hardware is connected. This search aims to find the best drivers, even with limited network access. While automatic driver installation is convenient, it can cause system stability issues: Windows may install drivers incompatible with your hardware • You lose control over the driver versions you prefer to use This script blocks Windows Upd...

Disable Windows Update driver installation wizard

This script disables automatic and manual driver updates through Windows Update. The Windows Update driver wizard is also called Hardware Update Wizard or Update Driver Software Wizard. This tool automatically installs and updates device drivers during Windows Updates or when new hardware is connected. This script disables these automatic driver updates via Windows Update. While automatic updates are convenient, they may install unwanted or outdated drivers, impacting system stability an...

Disable Windows Update fallback driver search

This script prevents Windows from searching Windows Update for device drivers when local drivers are not found. By default, Windows automatically searches Windows Update for device drivers. Windows searches for drivers in the following order: Local installation • Removable media (USB drives, CD-ROMs) • Windows Update Running this script removes Windows Update from the driver search locations. It also removes the Windows Update option from the driver installation wizard dialog. After running this...

Disable Windows Update driver download server

This script blocks Windows from automatically downloading device drivers through Windows Update. By default, Windows uses Windows Update to search for driver updates. This script redirects driver searches from Microsoft's servers to your managed server. This prevents Windows from using Windows Update (WU) for driver searches. This script enhances privacy by: Preventing automatic driver data collection by Microsoft • Keeping your system's hardware information within your organization • Reducing u...

Similar Guides​

Wider Goal​

Guides below includes this guide to achieve a wider goal.

See other more general settings that includes this one as one of its actions.

These plans combine multiple privacy settings, including this one, for stronger protection.

Disabling automatic updates is often considered counterintuitive when it comes to securing your system. However, there are substantial arguments to consider this o...
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Same Goal​

Other guides in Disable automatic updates 

See settings that are in the same category as this guide.

Using other actions in the same category may help you achieve your goal better.

See all 7 guides

About the Creators​

These people have authored this documentation and written its scripts:

  • Avatar of undergroundwires. The creator of PrivacyLearn and privacy.sexy. Black and white portrait showing a person wearing a polka dot tie and suit jacket, reflecting the professional expertise behind the privacy protection tools.
    • Certified security professional
    • 7+ years experience securing banks
    • Open-source developer since 2005
    • EU advisor, Public Speaker, Moderator
    • Hundreds across the globe
    • Testers, reviewers, developers
    • Companies, military agencies
    • Community since 2017
About Us

Reviewed By​

This guide has undergone comprehensive auditing and peer review:

  • Expert review by undergroundwires​

    • Verified technical accuracy and editorial standards
    • Assessed system impact and user privacy risks

  • Public review by large community​

    • Privacy enthusiasts and professionals peer-reviewed
    • Millions of end-users tested across different environments

History​

We continually monitor our guides, their impact and all other privacy options. We update our guides when new information becomes available. On every update, we publicly store who made the change, what has been changed, why the change was made and when the change was made.

Review Change History Our Change Process