How would one disable XP's hardware detection/driver installation?

[viivo]

I would, for once, like to install drivers without first having to remove Microsoft's crap. Is there a setting somewhere?

Thanks.

 

[Lord Evermore]

Not possible to disable it (really, it's one of the most basic features for "ease of use", you think they'd give you that option?). You can cancel the driver installation when you boot up and Windows says it's found new hardware.

You can also simply install the drivers before you install the device, so that when Windows detects it it locates the newer drivers.

 

[viivo]

I've had only a 50% success rate in actually cancelling the auto-installation. It goes so quick - and when I see the activity LED light up, it's all over.

I can't believe there would be no toggle for this. One more reason on my "trying to convince myself to go back to 2K" list, I suppose.

 

[bsobel]

Originally posted by: viivo
I would, for once, like to install drivers without first having to remove Microsoft's crap. Is there a setting somewhere?
Thanks.

What problem are you trying to solve? You should just be installing your drivers after the MS ones, what 'removing' are you doing?
Bill

 

[AmdInside]

Anyone have an answer to this? I am also trying to find a way to do something like this. If a user is connected to the internet, Windows will connect to Microsoft's servers and check for the latest drivers when a new hardware is found and download those drivers. Someone here previously explained how to disable this through the Administrator controls but I forgot how this is done. Can anyone show how this is done please? Thanks.

 

[Lord Evermore]

Disable the PnP service?

I don't think that would make it impossible to install drivers, but it may make Windows not detect the hardware and possibly result in the drivers not even seeing it after you install them.

Windows doesn't automatically connect to the Internet to download drivers though. It looks locally for drivers, and if it doesn't find any it prompts you for what to do. Usually, it'll find some drivers locally and end up not even prompting you.