Disable Windows Update fallback driver search

Overview

About this script

This script improves your privacy on Windows.

These changes use Windows system commands to update your settings.

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 1 2 3. Windows searches for drivers in the following order:

• Local installation 1
• Removable media (USB drives, CD-ROMs) 1
• Windows Update 1

Running this script removes Windows Update from the driver search locations 1 2. It also removes the Windows Update option from the driver installation wizard dialog 4. After running this script, Windows Update will not be searched for drivers when a new device is installed 2 3.

This script enhances your privacy by:

• Preventing automatic connections to Microsoft servers for driver updates
• Stopping the transmission of system information to hardware vendors 5
• Lowering the risk of sensitive data leaving your device

This script configuration is recommended by the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA), a U.S. Department of Defense agency that provides IT security guidelines 5.

This script may also improve system performance by:

• Eliminating network requests during device installation
• Reducing background processes related to driver updates
• Speeding up the driver installation process

Caution

You may need to download drivers manually from manufacturer websites since Windows Update will no longer provide them automatically.

Technical Details

This script sets the following registry key:

• HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\DriverSearching!DontSearchWindowsUpdate 1 2 3 4 5

This script uses Batch (batchfile) scripting language.

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.

Implementation Details

• Language: batch

• Required Privileges: Administrator rights

• Compatibility: Windows only

• Reversibility: Can be undone using provided revert script

Explore Categories

Disable Windows Update automatic driver updates

This action belongs to Disable Windows Update automatic driver updates category. 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. For example: Graphics cards need drivers to display images properly • Printers... Read more on category page ▶

Disable automatic updates

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 ▶

Privacy over security

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 ▶

Apply now

Choose one of three ways to apply:

1. Automatically via privacy.sexy: The easiest and safest option.
2. Manually by downloading: Requires downloading a file.
3. Manually by copying: Advanced flexibility.

Alternative 1. Apply with Privacy.sexy

privacy.sexy is free and open-source application that lets securely apply this action easily.

Open privacy.sexy

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

privacy.sexy instructions

1. Open or download the desktop application
2. Search for the script name: Disable Windows Update fallback driver search.
3. Check the script by clicking on the checkbox.
4. Click on Run button at the bottom of the page.

Alternative 2. Download

Irreversible Changes

This script is irreversible, meaning there is no straightforward method to restore changes once applied. Exercise caution before running, restoring it may not be possible.

1. Download the script file by clicking on the button below:

   Download script

2. Run the script file by clicking on it.

Download revert script

This file restores your system to its original state, before this script is applied.

Download restore script

Alternative 3. Copy

This is for advanced users. Consider automatically applying or downloading the script for simpler way.

1. Open Command Prompt as administrator.

HELP: Step-by-step guide

1. Click on Start menu

   Windows 11

   

   Windows 10

   

2. Type cmd

   Windows 11

   

   Windows 10

   

3. Right click on Command Prompt select Run as administrator

   Windows 11

   

   Windows 10

   

4. Click on Yes to run Command Prompt

   Windows 11

   

   Windows 10

   

---

Windows 11

Windows 10

2. Copy the following code:

Code to apply changes

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

3. Right click on command prompt to paste it.
4. Press Enter to apply remaining code.

Copy restore code

Copy and run the following code to restore changes:

Revert code

:: Delete the registry value "HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\DriverSearching!DontSearchWindowsUpdate"
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "reg delete 'HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\DriverSearching' /v 'DontSearchWindowsUpdate' /f 2>$null"

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