Disable Windows Update fallback driver search
- 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 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:
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
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:
- 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
- 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 - ADMX_ICM Policy CSP. Microsoft Learn. learn.microsoft.com. (2024).
Original: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/client-management/mdm/policy-csp-admx-icm
Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20241110103948/https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/client-management/mdm/policy-csp-admx-icm#driversearchplaces_dontsearchwindowsupdate - Turn off Windows Update device driver searching. admx.help. (2024).
Original: https://admx.help
Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20241110104804/https://admx.help/?Category=Windows_11_2022&Policy=Microsoft.Policies.InternetCommunicationManagement::DriverSearchPlaces_DontSearchWindowsUpdate - The funny Windows Update button on the Printer Drivers page. The Wonders Never Cease. ckrull.wordpress.com. (2024).
Original: https://ckrull.wordpress.com/2011/09/19/the-funny-windows-update-button-on-the-printer-drivers-page
Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20241110104830/https://ckrull.wordpress.com/2011/09/19/the-funny-windows-update-button-on-the-printer-drivers-page/ - Windows must be prevented from using Windows Update to search for drivers.. www.stigviewer.com. (2024).
Original: https://www.stigviewer.com/stig/microsoft_windows_server_20122012_r2_domain_controller/2021-03-05/finding/V-226168
Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20241110104819/https://www.stigviewer.com/stig/microsoft_windows_server_20122012_r2_domain_controller/2021-03-05/finding/V-226168
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
Help
How to apply or restore "Disable Windows Update fallback driver search" 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.
Apply with privacy.sexy
Guided, automated application with safety checks- Recommended for most users
- Includes safety checks
- Free
- Open-source
- Popular
- Offline/Online usage
Help
How to apply or restore "Disable Windows Update fallback driver search" using privacy.sexy
- ≈ 3 min to complete
- Tools: privacy.sexy
- Difficulty: Simple
- ≈ 4 instructions
- 2
Choose script
- Search for the script name: Disable Windows Update fallback driver search
- Check the script by clicking on the checkbox.
- 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.
- Apply
- Revert
:: 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"
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Help
How to apply or restore "Disable Windows Update fallback driver search" using commands
- ≈ 2 min to complete
- Tools: Command Prompt
- Difficulty: Medium
- ≈ 3 instructions
- 1
Open Command Prompt
Open Command Prompt as Administrator. - 2
Copy code
Copy the code: - 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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Same Goal
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About the Creators
These people have authored this documentation and written its scripts:
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.