Disable Windows Update driver download server

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Works with Windows 10 and 11Works with Windows Vista, XP, 7, 8, 10, 11, and Windows Server 2008 or newer.

• Single actionThis page belongs to a script, containing basic changes to achieve a task.
• Windows onlyThis script improves your privacy on Windows
• Impact: MediumSystem Functionality 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.
• 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 script blocks Windows from automatically downloading device drivers through Windows Update.

By default, Windows uses Windows Update to search for driver updates ¹. This script redirects driver searches from Microsoft's servers to your managed server ¹. This prevents Windows from using Windows Update (WU) for driver searches ^{1 2}.

This script enhances privacy by:

• Preventing automatic driver data collection by Microsoft
• Keeping your system's hardware information within your organization ³
• Reducing unexpected system changes from automatic driver installations ³

The script is recommended by the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) as a security measure ³.

Other benefits include:

• Improves system stability by blocking unexpected driver updates ³
• Reduces system slowdown from background update checks
• Gives you more control over which drivers are installed

Some devices may not work at their best until you install the appropriate drivers. After enabling this script, you will need to either:

• Set up an internal update server
• Manually download and install drivers for your hardware

Caution

You may need to manually download and install device drivers when necessary.

Technical Details

This script sets the following registry value:

• HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\DriverSearching!DriverServerSelection ^{1 2 3}

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 allows you to restore the default 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.

• Device Setup Manager. Federal Office for Information Security. www.bsi.bund.de. (2024).
  Original: https://www.bsi.bund.de/SharedDocs/Downloads/EN/BSI/Cyber-Security/SiSyPHuS/AP3d/Workpackage3d_Analysis_Device_Setup_Manager.pdf
  Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20241110104726/https://www.bsi.bund.de/SharedDocs/Downloads/EN/BSI/Cyber-Security/SiSyPHuS/AP3d/Workpackage3d_Analysis_Device_Setup_Manager.pdf?__blob=publicationFile&v=2
• Specify the search server for device driver updates. admx.help. (2024).
  Original: https://admx.help
  Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20241110115612/https://admx.help/?Category=Windows_10_2016&Policy=Microsoft.Policies.DeviceSoftwareSetup::DriverSearchPlaces_SearchServerConfiguration
• Device driver updates must only search managed servers, not Windows Update.. www.stigviewer.com. (2024).
  Original: https://www.stigviewer.com/stig/microsoft_windows_server_20122012_r2_domain_controller/2021-10-18/finding/V-226156
  Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20241110120008/https://www.stigviewer.com/stig/microsoft_windows_server_20122012_r2_domain_controller/2021-10-18/finding/V-226156

Apply Now

Choose one of three ways to apply:

Download script

Download and run the script directly

• No app needed
• Offline usage
• Easy-to-apply
• Free
• Open-source

Apply protection

Undo protection

Help

How to apply or restore "Disable Windows Update driver download server" 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
• Free
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• Offline/Online usage

Open privacy.sexy

Help

How to apply or restore "Disable Windows Update driver download server" 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 script name: Disable Windows Update driver download server
   2. Check the script by clicking on the checkbox.
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.

Run commands

Copy and run commands manually Requires technical knowledge

Apply

Apply changes

:: Set the registry value: "HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\DriverSearching!DriverServerSelection"
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "$registryPath = 'HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\DriverSearching'; $data =  '1'; reg add 'HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\DriverSearching' /v 'DriverServerSelection' /t 'REG_DWORD' /d "^""$data"^"" /f"

Revert

Restore changes

Ijo6IERlbGV0ZSB0aGUgcmVnaXN0cnkgdmFsdWUgXCJIS0xNXFxTb2Z0d2FyZVxcUG9saWNpZXNcXE1pY3Jvc29mdFxcV2luZG93c1xcRHJpdmVyU2VhcmNoaW5nIURyaXZlclNlcnZlclNlbGVjdGlvblwiXG5Qb3dlclNoZWxsIC1FeGVjdXRpb25Qb2xpY3kgVW5yZXN0cmljdGVkIC1Db21tYW5kIFwicmVnIGRlbGV0ZSAnSEtMTVxcU29mdHdhcmVcXFBvbGljaWVzXFxNaWNyb3NvZnRcXFdpbmRvd3NcXERyaXZlclNlYXJjaGluZycgL3YgJ0RyaXZlclNlcnZlclNlbGVjdGlvbicgL2YgMj4kbnVsbFwiIg==

Help

How to apply or restore "Disable Windows Update driver download server" using commands

• ≈ 2 min to complete
• Tools: Command Prompt
• Difficulty: Medium
• ≈ 3 instructions

View step-by-step guide with screenshots

---

1. 1

   Open Command Prompt

   Open Command Prompt as Administrator.
2. 2

   Copy code

   Copy the code:

   Copy Apply Code Copy Revert Code
3. 3

   Paste & run

   Paste the commands into Command Prompt and press Enter to run.

   Some changes require a system restart to take effect

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Privacy over security

Visit category page

Same Goal

Other guides in Disable Windows Update automatic driver 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.

Disable Windows Update hardware information collection

Disable Windows Update driver downloads

Disable Windows Update driver search

Disable Windows Update driver installation wizard

Disable Windows Update fallback driver search

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About the Creators

These people have authored this documentation and written its scripts:

• 

  undergroundwires

  • Certified security professional
  • 7+ years experience securing banks
  • Open-source developer since 2005
  • EU advisor, Public Speaker, Moderator
• Open-Source Contributors

  • Hundreds across the globe
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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
  • Audited and verified using automated security tests

• Public review by large community

  • Privacy enthusiasts and professionals peer-reviewed
  • Millions of end-users tested across different environments
  • Audited and verified using third-party security software

History

We continually monitor our guides, their impact and other potential 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