You can stop Windows from updating graphics drivers by going to Settings, then System, then About, clicking Advanced system settings, selecting the Hardware tab, clicking Device Installation Settings, and choosing No. This takes about two minutes and works on both Windows 10 and Windows 11.
Windows automatically downloads graphics drivers through Windows Update. While this keeps most hardware working, it often installs generic Microsoft drivers instead of the optimized versions from NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel. These generic drivers can cause game crashes, screen flickering, lower frame rates, and missing features in your GPU control panel.
Which Method Should You Use?
The best method depends on your Windows version and what you want to block:
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Device Installation Settings is the simplest option and works on all Windows versions including Home. It blocks automatic driver downloads for all hardware.
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Microsoft's Show or Hide Tool lets you block just one specific driver update while leaving everything else alone. Best for targeting a single problematic update.
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Group Policy offers the strongest protection but only works on Windows Pro, Education, and Enterprise editions.
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Registry editing works on all Windows versions and lets you exclude all drivers from Windows Update entirely.
Why Windows Installs the Wrong Drivers
Microsoft maintains a driver database called Windows Update Catalog. When you connect new hardware or run Windows Update, your computer checks this database and downloads matching drivers automatically.
The problem is timing. GPU manufacturers like NVIDIA and AMD release new drivers almost every month with game optimizations and bug fixes. Microsoft's database often contains older versions, or generic drivers that work but lack performance tuning. According to Microsoft's Hardware Dev Center documentation, driver submissions can take weeks to appear in Windows Update after manufacturers submit them.
This creates a situation where Windows might replace your carefully chosen, game-optimized driver with an older or generic version. Your games then run slower, or features like NVIDIA's DLSS or AMD's FidelityFX stop working properly.
Turn Off Automatic Driver Downloads
This method works on all Windows versions, including Windows Home. It stops Windows from automatically downloading driver software for any hardware.
Steps:
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Right-click the Start button and select System.
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Scroll down and click Advanced system settings on the right side.
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In the Hardware tab, click Device Installation Settings.
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When asked if you want Windows to download driver software, choose No.
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Click Save Changes and restart your PC.
Important: This blocks ALL hardware from updating automatically, including network adapters, USB controllers, and storage devices. You'll need to update these manually through Device Manager or manufacturer websites.
Use the Microsoft Show or Hide Tool
This official Microsoft tool hides a specific update so Windows won't try to install it again. Other devices and updates continue working normally, making this the safest option when you only want to block one problematic driver.
Steps:
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Download the tool from Microsoft's website:
Download wushowhide.diagcab -
Run the downloaded file and click Next.
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Select Hide updates when prompted.
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Choose your graphics driver from the list and click Next.
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To unhide an update later, run the tool again and select Show hidden updates.
NVIDIA, AMD, and Intel release what they call "Game Ready" or "Recommended" drivers directly to users. These include day-one optimizations for new game releases and can improve performance by 5% to 25% in specific titles. Microsoft's Windows Update uses a separate certification process focused on stability rather than gaming performance. A driver that passes Microsoft's testing might be several versions behind what the GPU manufacturer recommends. This is why serious gamers and content creators prefer downloading drivers directly from NVIDIA's GeForce Experience, AMD's Adrenalin software, or Intel's Arc Control rather than relying on Windows Update.
Block All Drivers Using Group Policy
This method offers the strongest protection but only works on Windows Pro, Education, or Enterprise editions. Windows Home users should use the Device Installation Settings method above instead.
Steps:
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Press Windows + R on your keyboard, type
gpedit.mscand press Enter. -
In the left panel, navigate to:
Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates >
Windows Components > Windows Update >
Manage updates offered from Windows Update -
On the right side, double-click Do not include drivers with Windows Updates.
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Select Enabled, click Apply, then click OK.
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Restart your PC to apply the changes.
System-Wide Impact: This blocks ALL hardware from receiving driver updates through Windows Update, including security patches for network adapters and storage devices. You must install these manually from manufacturer websites.
Block Drivers Using the Registry
This method works on all Windows versions, including Home. It tells Windows Update to skip all driver downloads entirely.
Caution: Editing the Windows
Registry incorrectly can cause system problems. Create a backup first by typing
regedit, clicking File, then Export, and saving a copy before making changes.
Steps:
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Press Windows + R on your keyboard, type
regeditand press Enter. -
Navigate to this location:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate -
If you don't see WindowsUpdate in that location, create it. Right-click on Windows, choose New, then Key, and name it WindowsUpdate.
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Inside WindowsUpdate, right-click and choose New, then DWORD (32-bit) Value. Name it ExcludeWUDriversInQualityUpdate.
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Double-click the new value and set it to 1.
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Restart your computer for the changes to take effect.
Roll Back a Bad Driver First
If Windows already installed a problematic driver, you should roll back to your previous working version before blocking future updates. This ensures you're running stable software.
Steps:
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Right-click the Start button and select Device Manager.
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Expand Display adapters and right-click your graphics card.
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Select Properties and click the Driver tab.
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Click Roll Back Driver if available. This button is grayed out if Windows doesn't have a previous version stored.
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Follow the prompts and restart your computer.
If the Roll Back button is unavailable, you can use Display Driver Uninstaller (DDU) to completely remove the current driver. Run DDU in Safe Mode, then install your preferred driver version from the GPU manufacturer's website.
Verify Your Settings Work
After applying any method, confirm that Windows isn't overwriting your drivers:
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Check Windows Update: Go to Settings, then Windows Update, then Check for updates. Your graphics driver shouldn't appear in the main or optional updates list.
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Monitor Device Manager: Open Device Manager, expand Display adapters, right-click your card, and select Properties. Note the driver version and date under the Driver tab. Check again after the next Windows update cycle to confirm these numbers haven't changed.
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Review Update History: Go to Settings, then Windows Update, then Update history. Look for any driver installations. If you see new GPU drivers listed after applying your blocking method, reapply the settings.
When Windows Resets Your Settings
Major Windows feature updates can sometimes reset driver blocking settings to their defaults. If automatic driver updates resume after a big Windows upgrade, simply reapply your chosen method using the same steps above.
To minimize disruption, consider using GPU manufacturer software for driver management. NVIDIA GeForce Experience, AMD Adrenalin Software, and Intel Arc Control all notify you about new driver releases and let you choose when to install them. Combined with blocking Windows Update drivers, this gives you complete control over which software runs your graphics card.