Disable Windows Update automatic driver updates
Overview
This category contains privacy scripts for Windows.
These changes use Windows system commands to update your settings.
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- Preventing installation of outdated drivers from Windows database 2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.
After using scripts from this category, you may need to manually install and update device drivers.
This category is only recommended if you understand its implications. Some non-critical or features may no longer function correctly after running this script.
Apply now
These scripts are written using Batch (batchfile) scripting language.
Choose one of two ways to apply:
- Automatically via privacy.sexy: The easiest and safest option.
- Manually by downloading: Requires downloading a file.
Alternative 1. Apply with Privacy.sexy
privacy.sexy is free and open-source application that lets securely apply this action easily.
It allows selectively choose parts of this action to conduct. You can fully restore this action (revert back to the original behavior) using the application.
privacy.sexy instructions
- Open or download the desktop application
- Search for the category name:
Disable Windows Update automatic driver updates. - Check the category by clicking on the checkbox of the category.
- Click on Run button at the bottom of the page.
Alternative 2. Download
Consider restarting your computer for all changes to take affect.
This action is completely reversible, you can restore your changes to the initial/default state. The restore/revert methods provided here can help you fix issues.
If something goes wrong, use the Revert script provided above.
Strict
This script includes Standard and Strict recommendation levels.
This script is only recommended if you understand their implications of every single change. Some non-critical or features may no longer function correctly after running this script.
Download Strict scripts:
Restore these changes if you decide to revert them by downloading the restore script:
Explore further
This category includes total of 6 scripts but no subcategories.
Explore its 6 scripts:
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...
Explore Categories
- Disable automatic updates
- Privacy over security
This action belongs to Disable automatic updates category. Disabling automatic updates is often considered counterintuitive when it comes to securing your system. However, there are substantial arguments to consider this option if you're privacy-centric: 1. Patching and Pre-Approval: Manual control over update deployment allows for pre-emptive... Read more on category page ▶
This action belongs to Privacy over security category. This category configures Windows using 254 scripts. These scripts are organized in 57 categories. The category includes 3 subcategories that include more scripts and categories. Read more on category page ▶
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