Disable Windows Update driver installation wizard
- Windows onlyThis script improves your privacy on Windows
- Single actionThis page belongs to a script, containing basic changes to achieve a task.
- 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.
- 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 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 1. This tool automatically installs and updates device drivers during Windows Updates or when new hardware is connected 1. This script disables these automatic driver updates via Windows Update 2.
While automatic updates are convenient, they may install unwanted or outdated drivers, impacting system stability and privacy.
By disabling this feature, you gain more control over driver installations 3. This is especially important for graphics drivers (e.g., AMD, NVIDIA), input device drivers (e.g., mouse, keyboard), and other hardware-specific software 3. Windows Updates can also roll out driver updates, which may create system stability issues 2.
This script enhances your privacy by:
- Preventing automatic downloads of potentially unwanted driver-related software 2
- Stopping Windows from silently changing your hardware configurations
- Giving you control over what software connects to your hardware
It also enhances system stability by:
- Preventing Windows from installing older driver versions 2
- Avoiding conflicts between manually installed drivers and Windows Update
- Maintaining consistent hardware performance for testing and benchmarks 3
After running this script, consider installing and updating device drivers manually to receive security and functionality updates.
Technical Details
The newdev.dll
system file manages the driver search functionality through Windows Update 4.
This script modifies registry keys:
HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\DriverSearching!DriverUpdateWizardWuSearchEnabled
3HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\DriverSearching!DriverUpdateWizardWuSearchEnabled
4HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\DriverSearching!DriverUpdateWizardWuSearchEnabled
2
- 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 trackingDecreased Security
Some security features will be disabled or limitedThis script can be reversed, this action allows you to can restore the system security.
- 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
- Updating Driver Files - Windows drivers. Microsoft Learn. learn.microsoft.com. (2024).
Original: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-hardware/drivers/install/updating-driver-files
Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20241108211338/https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-hardware/drivers/install/updating-driver-files - Windows keeps installing old Intel Graphics Driver. www.thewindowsclub.com. (2024).
Original: https://www.thewindowsclub.com/windows-keeps-installing-old-intel-graphics-driver
Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20241108210850/https://www.thewindowsclub.com/windows-keeps-installing-old-intel-graphics-driver - Post Installation Steps. GamingPCSetup. djdallmann.github.io. (2024).
Original: https://djdallmann.github.io/GamingPCSetup/CONTENT/DOCS/POSTINSTALL
Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20241108210848/https://djdallmann.github.io/GamingPCSetup/CONTENT/DOCS/POSTINSTALL/ - 10_0_22622_601/C/Windows/SysWOW64/newdev.dll.strings at c598035e1a6627384d646140fe9e4d234b36b11d · privacysexy-forks/10_0_22622_601. github.com. (2024).
Original: https://github.com/privacysexy-forks/10_0_22622_601/blob/c598035e1a6627384d646140fe9e4d234b36b11d/C/Windows/SysWOW64/newdev.dll.strings
Archived: https://archive.today/2024.11.08-211401/https://github.com/privacysexy-forks/10_0_22622_601/blob/c598035e1a6627384d646140fe9e4d234b36b11d/C/Windows/SysWOW64/newdev.dll.strings
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- Offline usage
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- Free
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Help
How to apply or restore "Disable Windows Update driver installation wizard" using script
- ≈ 2 min to complete
- Tools: Web Browser
- Difficulty: Simple
- ≈ 5 instructions
- 1
Download
Download the script file by clicking on thebutton above.
Use button above to restore changes. - 2
Keep the file
If warned by your browser, keep the file. - 3
Open
Open the downloaded file. - 4
Exit
Once it's done, press any key to exit the window. - 5
Restart
Restart your computer for all changes to take effect.
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