If you’re using Windows, you’ve probably seen those driver updates pop up through Windows Update. Sometimes, though, you might already have the driver you want and prefer to handle updates manually instead. That’s when hiding certain drivers from Windows Update can come in handy.
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Why Hide Drivers?
Let’s say you’ve installed an older or custom driver that works perfectly with your hardware. But then, Windows Update keeps trying to replace it with a newer version. Annoying, right? Or maybe you’ve noticed that a specific driver update causes crashes or conflicts with your other software.
Hiding the driver stops Windows from installing updates you don’t want and helps avoid those headaches.
Other Times Hiding Drivers Makes Sense
This trick is also useful if you’re using unsigned drivers that Windows treats as incompatible or even risky. And if a driver update is causing problems, hiding it can give you a temporary fix while you work on finding a solution.
How to Hide Drivers from Windows Update
Keep in mind: Hiding drivers might mean missing out on security updates or
bug fixes. But if a certain update is messing up your system, hiding it can
be a quick way to get things back on track.
We are going to hide drivers by using Group Policy. If you have Windows Home, regrettably Group Policy is not supported on this edition.
For hiding drivers on Windows Home, refer to this link using registry editor.
First click on start and type gpedit and press enter.
On Windows 11, navigate to:
Computer Configuration, Administrative Templates, Windows Components, Windows Update and lastly Manage updates offered from Windows Update.
On Windows 10, navigate to:
Computer Configuration, Administrative Templates, Windows Components and lastly Windows Update.
On the right side search for 'Do not include drivers with Windows Updates'.
Double click on 'Do not include drivers with Windows Updates'. In the new window, choose Enabled and click OK at the bottom.
What Happens When You Hide a Driver from Windows Update
When you hide a driver from Windows Update, it’s usually skipped during updates, meaning it won’t be downloaded or installed.
When It Might Not Work:
- Critical security updates: These might still be installed to protect your system.
- Essential drivers: Some drivers that Windows needs for specific features or services could still get installed.
Hiding drivers generally works, but it’s good to know about these exceptions!