Preventing windows 8 from automatically installing drivers

FreshJR

Member
Nov 10, 2012
46
0
61
I have found a newer version of synaptic drivers. While these drivers were not specifically made for my laptop, they do work alot better.

Everything I restart, windows uninstalls these newer drivers and installs the newest ones that ARE made for my laptop.

Ive tried disabling this feature but it doesnt listen.

driversk.png


Also, would there be a way to just lock the mouse driver from updating while leaving autoupdate on for everything else?
 

Berryracer

Platinum Member
Oct 4, 2006
2,779
1
81
I have found a newer version of synaptic drivers. While these drivers were not specifically made for my laptop, they do work alot better.

Everything I restart, windows uninstalls these newer drivers and installs the newest ones that ARE made for my laptop.

Ive tried disabling this feature but it doesnt listen.

driversk.png


Also, would there be a way to just lock the mouse driver from updating while leaving autoupdate on for everything else?

yeah I hate that as well. When u first install Windows 8, it asks u "get windows device drivers and info" default is set to yes. I set it to no

Otherwise I am surprised that it silently installed MEI v9 and the nVIDIA GeForce Drivers which I DONT WANT from Windows updates, I want the ones from ASUS as they work best for my laptop

always stick to drivers from the laptop manufacturer

I don't know how to disable that feature though it must be in control panel, username, personalize settings, there u have a long list of settings to play around with
 

Bubbaleone

Golden Member
Nov 20, 2011
1,803
4
76
I have found a newer version of synaptic drivers. While these drivers were not specifically made for my laptop, they do work alot better.

Everything I restart, windows uninstalls these newer drivers and installs the newest ones that ARE made for my laptop.

Ive tried disabling this feature but it doesnt listen.

Also, would there be a way to just lock the mouse driver from updating while leaving autoupdate on for everything else?

"No, let me..." and "Never install..." are the selections you want, but the reason it keeps reverting to default drivers is that you have to also uncheck the box next to: "Automatically get the device app and info provided by your device manufacturer", click "Save Changes", then reboot. If this still fails for you you'll need to make a couple of changes in group policy, but try this first and I'll walk you through gpedit.msc if needed.


.
 
Last edited:

bruceb

Diamond Member
Aug 20, 2004
8,874
111
106
I was thinking about suggesting that same thing, but I was not sure if would have an effect. Personally, I never let windows update check for drivers. If everything is working, then drivers need not be updated.
 

FreshJR

Member
Nov 10, 2012
46
0
61
"No, let me..." and "Never install..." are the selections you want, but the reason it keeps reverting to default drivers is that you have to also uncheck the box next to: "Automatically get the device app and info provided by your device manufacturer", click "Save Changes", then reboot. If this still fails for you you'll need to make a couple of changes in group policy, but try this first and I'll walk you through gpedit.msc if needed.


.


Let me uncheck that option right now and see.

I think the problem is that it treats this as a software update.

25790712.png
 

VirtualLarry

No Lifer
Aug 25, 2001
56,552
10,171
126
Wow, Windows 8 just appears more broken every day. First, it removes your hosts file modifications, unless you disable MS Defender/MSSE built-in to Windows 8 (meaning, you need to then add your own AV software), now it lumps hardware driver updates in with the software updates, and requires technical procedures to opt out of that? I NEVER allow Windows Update to install drivers, 9 times out of 10, it mucks things up.
 

postmortemIA

Diamond Member
Jul 11, 2006
7,721
40
91
just uninstall it, and when windows update offers it again, set it to "hide this update"