Windows often tries to be helpful whenever it can. This is particularly true whenever you plug a new peripheral into your computer. Windows automatically attempts to find and install the appropriate driver for the device. If for some reason you don't like this behavior, you can disable automatic driver installation. This procedure only needs to be done once—before you connect a device to your computer.
In the Search box type "Advanced System Settings" (without the quotes) and press Enter. Windows displays the System Properties dialog box. Click the Hardware tab. (See Figure 1.)
Figure 1. System Properties window.
Click the button labeled Device Installation Settings and you'll see the choices you have for driver installation. (See Figure 2.)
Figure 2. Turning off automatic driver installations.
Now click the "No" radio button and Save Changes. From now on (unless you change it back), Windows will no longer automatically try to install the drivers for new devices.
This tip (13483) applies to Windows 10.
Want to easily improve the security of your old data? Here's an addition to the venerable format command that can help.
Discover MoreMouse not working as you expect? Here are a few things that may get things back to the way they should be.
Discover MoreIf you attach a new device to your computer or need to update a current device's driver, this tip provides the general ...
Discover MoreThere are currently no comments for this tip. (Be the first to leave your comment—just use the simple form above!)
Copyright © 2025 Sharon Parq Associates, Inc.
Comments