The title clearly describes what we are going to talk about in this topic. When you attach a new hardware or a new device in your computer system, Windows automatically detects the new hardware and installs the required driver for it so that you can start using it.
To install the correct driver, Windows first checks on "Windows Update" for the required driver. If it finds a correct driver, it automatically installs the driver. If Windows doesn't find the required driver on Windows Update, it checks the driver in your local hard disk or asks you to select the correct driver files.
Many times you already have the correct driver files in your hard disk or setup disc and you don't want Windows to waste your time in searching for the drivers on Windows Update. Although the driver installation dialog box contains a link to skip searching on Windows Update but its not the permanent solution.
Then what to do in such condition? How to tell Windows to not search for drivers on Windows Update and install them from your local hard disk first?
Today in this tutorial, we are going to show you a very easy way to change device driver installation process in Windows. Using this tutorial, you'll be able to tell Windows to:
- Search device drivers on Windows Update first and then in your local hard disk
- Search device drivers on Windows Update only if its not found in your local hard disk
- Don't search device drivers on Windows Update at all
So without wasting time, lets start the tutorial:
1. Right-click on My Computer icon on Desktop or right-click on Computer entry in right-side of Start Menu and select "Properties". It'll open System Properties window. Now click on "Advanced system settings" link given in left sidebar.
Alternatively, you can directly open it using "Win+Pause/Break" keyboard shortcut or by providing sysdm.cpl command in RUN or Start Menu search box.
2. Now go to "Hardware" tab and click on "Device Installation Settings" button.
3. It'll open a new window.
PS: You can skip 1st and 2nd steps and directly open this new window by providing rundll32 newdev.dll,DeviceInternetSettingUi command in RUN or Start Menu search box. Thanks to our reader "G" for this shortcut command...
In this new window, you'll notice that "Yes, do this automatically (recommended)" option would be selected by default in the window.
You need to select the second option "No, let me choose what to do" and then select the second option "Install driver software from Windows Update if it is not found on my computer".
If you want to completely disable searching for device drivers on Windows Update, select the 3rd option "Never install driver software from Windows Update".
4. Click on "Save Changes" button and you are done.
Now Windows will always search and install your device drivers from your local hard disk first and it'll only search on Windows Update if it doesn't find a correct driver on your hard disk.
PS: You can also disable "Replace generic device icons with enhanced icons" option if you don't want Windows to automatically download and install new high resolution icons for your new hardware device. It might save your bandwidth a little bit.
Posted by: Vishal Gupta | Categories: Troubleshooting, Windows 7
Orbit
thnx VG. didnt know about that, :)
suchal
did you think that we would not have about this simple option present in advanced system settings. I guess now are in lack of tutorials that why you posted this. We can expect from you from some day a tutorial on "how to set a wallpaper of your own on windows 7 without using keyboard" ;)
Rob
That is a life saver trick. Whenever i install fresh windows I always have my drivers with me but windows always try to search on internet. Now i know how to stop this. :D
VG
@suchal
lol. I'm laughing because when I used to post expert only tutorials, people used to request me to post basic tutorials as well. And now when I'm trying to post basic tutorials, some people like you are not liking them. :)
I always have tricks in mind to post so dont think there is any lack of ideas. ;)
Just wanted to please all readers who those like basic tricks and who those like expert only tricks.
Samy
VG Pls carry on posting these tricks. These r very useful for users like me. and thanks for this trick as well. :)
Karl Sr.
I already knew it but I know many ppl dont know it. ;)
Jay
@suchal
Dont think that all ppl are experts. I know many ppl who never access system properties or folder options. And this tutorial is not that basic. even i didnt know about it. :P
Christian
Thanks VG! This saved a lot of time!
:D
Ashish
Nice tutorial...Keep up VG
G
Just run: rundll32 newdev.dll,DeviceInternetSettingUi
MJPollard
VG, just goes to show that you can't please everyone, and that no matter what you do, *someone* is going to be p**sed off about it. :-) Keep on posting these tutorials, no matter how basic they may be, because even the most skilled and knowledgeable users don't know everything; there's always something new to learn. (For example, I didn't know that Win+Pause/Break brought up the System Properties window. Very handy.)
joydeep
I have installed windows 7 but it does not supports my video drivers
motherboard=d845vgsr
it gives me 16bit display with 640X480 resolution any help
i don't want to have a new pc
leomate
Windows 8 Consumer Preview only had 2 options :
- Always install the best driver software from Windows Update
- Never install driver software from Windows Update
and check box option
v Get metadata and companion application if applicable for device..
leomate
@joydeep
Maybe try to install XP drivers
suchal
@VG sorry man I thought that only experts visit ur site. I still love ur tutorials but I was expecting something great from long time but did not find any tutorial so great. Whatever continue posting, still like ur site... :D
VG
^^ No problem buddy. I always try to post articles which are helpful for others. Whenever I find something interesting, I share it with you all. :)