By default, Windows 10 is set to automatically detect, download and install updates for driver software. And, yes, it’s possible to turn off this feature. But finding where to disable it requires some digging.

For over 12 years, my recommendation and best practice has been to disable Microsoft from automatically updating driver software. It’s been a love/hate relationship with this feature for me. No sooner do I get comfortable with Microsoft’s ability to successfully install drivers, than an other driver issue pops up. I’ve made it a point to stop Microsoft from doing driver updates, and just go to the vendor’s web site and check for updates myself.

If you wish to turn off this feature in Windows 10, here are the steps:

1. From the Windows 10 taskbar, type in system
2. Click on System Control panel
3. Click on Advanced system settings
4. Click on the Hardware tab, then click on the Device Installation Settings button
5. Click (to select) the option: No, let me choose what to do
6. This will then display three more choices.
7. Click (to select) Never install driver software from Windows Update
8. Click on the Save Changes button

And here are the associated screen shots:

Steps 1 & 2:

Step 3

Step 4

Step 5

Step 6 & 7