Windows automatically updating your graphics drivers can cause more problems than it solves. Your GPU drivers control how your video card works. When Windows updates them automatically, things can go wrong. Many users see game crashes and screen flickering. Others notice performance drops or lose their custom settings. This happens when Windows installs a "newer" display driver that doesn't work well with your hardware or gaming setup.

The solution is to take control. You can stop Windows from automatically installing graphics card drivers. Are you a gamer who needs stable performance? Maybe you're a professional who requires specific driver versions. Or perhaps you just want to avoid unexpected system changes. Either way, stopping automatic driver installations gives you control. You choose when and what gets installed on your computer.

Quick Answer: Use Microsoft's Show or Hide Tool to block specific driver updates. You can also turn off all automatic installations through Device Installation Settings. Advanced users can use Group Policy for complete system control.

Why This Matters: Windows Update often installs generic display drivers from Microsoft. These basic drivers don't have the special features your GPU needs. They lack optimizations that manufacturer-specific video card drivers provide. This causes several problems. You might see reduced gaming performance. Your graphics control panel features may disappear. Newer games might not work properly with these generic display adapters.

Which Method Should You Use? Method 1 (Show/Hide Tool) is safest for beginners. It only blocks the specific graphics driver updates you choose. Methods 2 and 4 block ALL automatic driver installations across your whole system. This means you'll need to manually update other hardware for security patches. Method 3 gives you control over specific devices. But it requires editing Windows registry settings.

Here are five proven ways to stop Windows from automatically updating your GPU drivers. These methods keep your system stable. Your computer will perform exactly how you want it to.

1. Use the Microsoft Show or Hide Tool (Easiest)

This is the safest method for most people. It hides a specific driver update. Windows won't try to install that update again. This tool is great if you just want to block your graphics card driver. Other device drivers will still update normally.

Steps:

  1. Download the tool from Microsoft's site:
    Download wushowhide.diagcab

  2. Run the downloaded file and click Next .

  3. Select Hide updates when prompted.

  4. Choose your graphics driver from the list and click Next .

Once hidden, Windows Update will no longer try to install that driver. If a new version appears later, you can repeat the process to hide the new one too.

💡 This doesn't block other updates, only the one you choose to hide.

2. Turn Off Automatic Driver Installations (System-Wide)

This method stops Windows from automatically downloading ANY device software. This includes your graphics card drivers, but also other hardware drivers too. It works on all versions of Windows 10 and Windows 11.

Steps:

  1. Right-click the Start button and select System .

  2. Scroll down and click Advanced system settings on the right.

  3. In the Hardware tab, click Device Installation Settings .

  4. When asked if you want Windows to download driver software, choose No .

  5. Click Save Changes and restart your PC.

⚠️ Important Warning: This stops ALL device software from updating automatically. That includes important hardware like network adapters, USB controllers, and storage devices. You'll need to update these manually through Device Manager. You can also get updates from manufacturer websites when needed.

Hardware You Should Keep Updated: Some device drivers have important security patches. Network cards need security updates. USB 3.0 and USB-C controllers do too. NVMe storage drives and Bluetooth adapters also need updates. These updates fix security problems. You should manually update these even when automatic updates are turned off.

How This Works: This setting changes a Windows registry value called SearchOrderConfig. The registry is like a database of Windows settings. This value controls how Windows looks for device drivers when you install new hardware.

3. Block Your GPU Driver Only (Advanced)

This method targets just your graphics card. It prevents Windows from updating only your video card driver. Other hardware will still receive automatic updates normally. This method requires editing the Windows registry (the settings database for Windows).

⚠️ Before You Start: This method is for advanced users. You'll be editing the Windows registry. The registry stores important system settings. Making wrong changes can cause problems. Always create a backup of your registry first. Only follow these steps if you're comfortable with system changes.

Steps:

  1. Open Device Manager . You can search for it in the Start menu.

  2. Find Display adapters and click to expand it. Right-click on your graphics card name.

  3. Click Properties from the menu that appears.

  4. Click the Details tab. In the Property dropdown menu, select Hardware Ids .

  5. Copy the first Hardware ID value. It starts with PCI\VEN_. You'll need this number later. This is your GPU's unique identifier.

  6. Press Windows + R on your keyboard. Type regedit and press Enter. This opens the Registry Editor.

  7. Go to this location: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate

  8. If you don't see WindowsUpdate in that location, you need to create it. Right-click on Windows . Choose "New" then "Key". Name it WindowsUpdate .

  9. Inside WindowsUpdate, create a new setting. Right-click and choose "New" then "DWORD (32-bit) Value". Name it ExcludeWUDriversInQualityUpdate . Double-click it and set the value to 1 . (DWORD is just a type of registry setting.)

  10. Restart your computer. The changes will take effect after reboot.

4. Block All Installations Using Group Policy

(Windows Pro, Education, or Enterprise only)

This method stops Windows from downloading device software through system updates. Group Policy is a Windows tool for system-wide settings. This affects your entire computer. It doesn't work on Home editions.

Steps:

  1. Press Windows + R on your keyboard. Type gpedit.msc (the Group Policy Editor program). Hit Enter.

  2. In the left panel, go to:
    Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates >
    Windows Components > Windows Update >
    Manage updates offered from Windows Update

  3. On the right side, double-click this option: Do not include drivers with Windows Updates .

  4. Select Enabled . Click Apply . Then click OK .

  5. Restart your PC to apply the changes.

⚠️ System-Wide Impact: This stops ALL hardware drivers from being delivered through Windows Update. Group Policy is a Windows tool for system-wide settings. This affects your entire computer. Critical security updates for network adapters, storage devices, and USB controllers will be blocked. You must install these manually from manufacturer websites.

5. Alternative: WinAero Tweaker (Advanced Users)

(For experienced users comfortable with system tweaks)

WinAero Tweaker is a free Windows customization tool. It can permanently stop Windows Update from installing display drivers. It gives you more control than built-in Windows methods. This works for graphics card software and other hardware.

Steps:

  1. Download WinAero Tweaker from the official website:
    winaerotweaker.com

  2. Install the program. Run it as administrator. This gives it full access to system settings.

  3. On the left sidebar, expand Windows Update . Click on Windows Update Behavior .

  4. In the main panel, find Driver Updates . Check the box next to "Do not include drivers with Windows Updates" . This stops all automatic driver installations.

  5. Click Apply at the bottom. Restart your computer for changes to work.

  6. For more control, go to Advanced Options → Device Installation Restrictions . Here you can block specific device types. This includes video card drivers and GPU drivers.

⚠️ Important: WinAero Tweaker is for advanced users. You should understand Windows system changes before using this tool. Only use it if you're comfortable with system tweaks. Changing Windows settings incorrectly can cause problems.

How to Check Your Settings Are Working

After using any method above, check that Windows isn't updating your video card. Here's how to verify your settings work:

Quick Test: The easiest way is to check for Windows Updates manually. See if display driver software appears in optional updates. It shouldn't show up if your settings work.

How to Check:

  • Check Windows Update: Go to Settings → Windows Update → Check for updates. Graphics card software shouldn't appear anywhere. Look in both main updates and optional updates. If nothing shows up, your method is working.

  • Watch Device Manager: Open Device Manager. Check your GPU's version date under display adapters. Write down this date. Check again after a few Windows Update cycles. The date shouldn't change. If it changes, Windows installed a new video card driver.

  • Review Update History: Go to Settings → Windows Update → Update history. Look for recent graphics driver installations. If you see new display driver versions after applying your method, you need to reapply the setting.

Important: Your method works if no GPU driver updates appear for 2-3 update cycles. That's about 2-3 months. Major Windows feature updates may reset these settings. You might need to reapply them after big system updates.

What to Do If Windows Reinstalls Display Drivers

Common Problem: Feature updates like Windows 11 22H2 or 23H2 often reset driver settings. They can override your blocking settings. This is normal Windows behavior. You'll need to reapply your chosen method after major system updates.

Sometimes a major Windows update resets your settings. It might install newer video card software automatically. This can happen even if you blocked it before.

If that happens:

  • Repeat your method: Use the same method you chose earlier. Run the Show/Hide Tool again. Or reapply the Group Policy setting. The steps are the same as before.

  • Use Display Driver Uninstaller (DDU): This tool completely removes unwanted GPU drivers. It cleans your system better than Windows does:

    • Download DDU from the official website.

    • Run it in Safe Mode (a special Windows startup mode). Remove the current display driver version. Then reinstall your preferred graphics card software.