Windows 10: How to prevent Nvidia drivers from reinstalling?

Hello,

In a previous thread, I described a problem I had where my USB mouse and keyboard would freeze frequently. I could not unfreeze a USB port, but mouse and keyboard would work if I changed ports.

It was suggested that I completely uninstall all Nvidia drivers and software using the Display Driver Uninstaller, then reinstall the appropriate drivers, only the bare essentials. This instantly solved the USB problem.

But now this problem is returning, even though I blocked these two updates with Microsoft's "Show or hide updates" utility:
NVIDIA - Display - 2/6/2017 12:00:00 AM - 21.21.13.7684
NVIDIA Corporation - MEDIA - 8/30/2015 12:00:00 AM - 1.3.34.3

Since the problem was fixed immediately after following the suggestion, and since it has now returned even though I blocked these two updates, I'm guessing there's somehow some other drivers that were still automatically updated. Is there a way to narrow down this problem and find out which drivers were updated since a certain time? If this is the problem, can I prevent Windows from touching the graphics drivers in the future?

Thanks!

:)

 

No video for nVidia Quattro or Intel HD 530 after installation of KB3211320

Your best option is to download the driver for the nVidia Quadro card from the nVidia Website and install it. I have an nVidia Quadro 4000 card and I had to stop Windows 10 overwriting the driver with a version that did not work. If the newer driver from
the nVidia website does not work, try an earlier version of the driver.

Windows update in their wisdom updates your drivers when there is no need and a lot of the time with drivers that do not work. When you get the card working, read

THIS ARTICLE on how to stop Windows 10 from updating just that particular driver and you should be OK in the Future . . .

 

Preventing installation of problematic Nvidia video driver when installing Windows 10 Insider Preview 14342

Hello,

I am transitioning from Windows 10.0 Build 10240 to Windows 10 Insider Preview 14342

I have problems with an Nvidia driver (when activated, it causes startup BSODs). So, I am attempting to prevent its re-installation (after I delete it).

I find that there is a conflict between what Windows Update says and what the KB3073930 hide/unhide tool says. Despite using "hide" to try "hide" (i.e. prevent re-installation) the Nvidia driver, Windows Update still tells me it wants to install the Nvidia
driver (this also happens after a computer restart).

I simply want to guarantee that the problematic Nvidia driver will never be installed again (I am using a laptop where its Intel video driver works but the Nvidia driver causes a BSOD).

My question is : despite using the tool KB3073930 to try "hide" (i.e. prevent future driver installations) the problematic Nvidia driver, will the installation process for Windows 10 Insider Preview 14342 look at the hardware as a "new installation" and
then try re-install the problematic Nvidia driver?

Is there some other way to solve the problem and prevent Windows 10 from trying to install the problematic Nvidia driver?

Best regards,

Stephen

 

Here is a guide to turn off the updates.

Turn On or Off Device Driver Automatic Installation in Windows 10 Windows 10 Windows Update Activation Tutorials

 

I forgot to mention that I already did that. Is it still possible that some drivers still get automatically updated?

 

Another clue: Sometimes when a USB port freezes, my Bluetooth headphones (my desktop has Bluetooth) stop working at exactly the same time, and I have to restart the computer (or log out and log in) to get Bluetooth back. Does this sound like a motherboard problem?

To recap what I've tried:

• Installing the latest drivers for my motherboard.
• Checking for BIOS updates. (There were none.)
• I turned off "Turbo mode" in the BIOS and maybe this helped a tiny bit, but I don't know for sure.
• Complete, fresh reinstall of Windows 10.
• Updating to Windows 10 1703, then downgrading to 1607.
• Live Lubuntu on USB. Didn't have the freezing problem there, but it's possible I didn't wait long enough.
• Checkdisk and memory test.
• DISM.
• HDtune.
• Completely uninstalling Nvidia drivers and software and reinstalling only the bare essentials. <-- This is the only thing that instantly fixed my dead USB ports, but now I have the same problem for some reason, even though I checked "No" in Device Installation Settings and blocked Nvidia updates.
• Checked "No" in Device Installation Settings.
• Blocking Windows update from installing Nvidia drivers and software.

More details in my previous thread: BSOD randomly, usually error 0x0000001a Solved - Windows 10 Forums

This problem has been a real hassle, and troubleshooting has dragged on for weeks. I hope I don't have to get a new computer, at least not until I know exactly what's wrong with this one. Thanks.

 

Me, my friend, and my Dad's rigs are all doing this. Ours is just with our Nvidia Drivers. We tried most of the same things you did, still Windows update would sneak whatever version of GeForce drivers out thinks we should have.We have the 1703 build on all of ours. We first tried installing a program by O&O called Shutup10. This worked for keeping Windows update from forcing driver updates on other devices.
Long story short, ended up having to edit the Group Policy for Device installations. You have to get your hardware IDs codes from all the hardware that you don't want windows installing drivers for. Copy and paste them into the policy list of hardware exemptions. Worked like a charm.
Verified by looking in windows update history and drop down arrow for Device drivers and there it is , Nvidia Display Driver failed to install. Here's the detailed instructions I followed:
How to Prevent Windows from Automatically Updating Specific Drivers

 

Actually, I have replaced my power supply, and this seems to have finally fixed the problem. If not, I'll be back here, and thanks for your answer.