- To prevent Windows 7 from automatically installing drivers, open “Advanced System Settings,” go to the “Hardware” tab, and click “Device Installation Settings.” Choose “Never install driver software from Windows Update” and save changes. From now on, you can manually install drivers from the manufacturer for better reliability.
Windows 7 automatically installs drivers from Windows Update when you connect a new device. While this can be convenient, the drivers are often outdated or incompatible, which may cause errors, corruption, or performance issues.
Instead, it is recommended to install drivers directly from the manufacturer’s website or from the disc included with the device.
Disable automatic driver installation on Windows 7
To disable Windows 7 from automatically installing drivers, follow these instructions:
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Click Start and in the search box “Search programs and files” type “view advanced system settings” and under “Control Panel” title select View Advanced System Settings.
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Select the Hardware tab and click the Device Installation Settings button.
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Next, select No, let me choose what to do with the option Never install driver software from Windows Update.
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Click Save Changes, Apply, and OK.
Now, the next time you plug a new device into your system, Windows 7 will not automatically install drivers; at this point, you can install your own drivers.
Quick tip: If you upgraded some device drivers and you are having problems, try rolling back to the previous drivers. Follow this link.
Windows 7 can download high-resolution icons for many hardware devices that you connect to your computer, as well as detailed information, such as product name, model number, and manufacturer, to help you identify what devices are connected to your computer when you need to configure or troubleshoot them.
If you notice in the last image above, there is an option that says: Replace generic device icons with enhanced icons. You can check this option to allow Windows 7 to download HD icons for your connected devices.
Mauro Huculak is a Windows How-To Expert and founder of Pureinfotech in 2010. With over 22 years as a technology writer and IT Specialist, Mauro specializes in Windows, software, and cross-platform systems such as Linux, Android, and macOS.
Certifications: Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate (MCSA), Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP), VMware Certified Professional (VCP), and CompTIA A+ and Network+.
Mauro is a recognized Microsoft MVP and has also been a long-time contributor to Windows Central.
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