Windows 10: Turn On or Off Device Driver Automatic Installation in Windows 10

Even though I am the administrator of my PC I am unable to change this setting, its grayed out:





I also tried the registry option; windows claimed adding the entry was successful even though it does nothing *Sad

Any idea why I am unable to turn off device driver automatic installation?

 

Hello Ocman, *Smile

This is usually caused by having a group policy set. Double check using the tutorial below to see if you have any group policies enabled that could be responsible.

Group Policy Editor - Quickly View Enabled Policies in Windows - Windows 7 Help Forums

 

I just checked, I have no group policies enabled. All are "Not configured". What exactly am I supposed to be looking for?

 

In that case, it may have been manually set in the registry somehow. As a test, enable the policy in the link at Microsoft below. Afterwards, set it back to not configured to see if that ungrays it.

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/2500967

 

I enabled the policy and restarted, options still grayed out.

Disabled the policy and restarted again, options still grayed out.

What is going on here? *sarc

 

The "Some settings are managed by your system administrator" part in your screenshot indicates that you have a policy set that is preventing your from making changes. It's going to be a hunt in the registry now to see if we can find it.

If you like, please export the two keys below from your registry as a .reg file, and upload them here. This is where the policy should be set at, and would just be a matter of going through them to see which one it may be.

HKEY_CURRENT_USERS\SOFTWARE\Policies

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies

 

Here they are.

Current User Policies.regLocal Machine Policies.reg

 

I found one entry to delete that is the only one I see that's related. The .reg file below will delete it for you. Be sure to restart the computer afterwards to fully apply.

(content of .reg file below)
Code: Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00 [-HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\DriverSearching][/quote] Remove_Policy.reg

 

WOOHOO! That fixed it!

Thanks for all the help *Biggrin

 

You're most welcome. *Smile

 

Hello folks, interesting thread!
@Brink: I am having exactly the same problem as Ocman76: options are greyed out.
No group policies are defined ("not configured") and enabling./disabling the mentioned "Prevent installation of devices not described by other policy settings" policy has no effect. Unfortunately, the "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\DriverSearching" key that was present on Ocman76's system is not present.
Please find enclosed the two reg files: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE-SOFTWARE-Policies .reg and HKEY_CURRENT_USER-SOFTWARE-Policies.reg

I hope someone can have a look at them and find the culprit ;-) Thanks!

 

Hello Ano, and welcome to Ten Forums. *Smile

I don't see anything that stands out as a cause in your policy settings in your registry.

Please go ahead and post a screenshot showing your Device Installation Settings to see if it anything may stand out.

https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/1...en-forums.html

 

Here are two screenshots:

 

It definitely appears to be from a set policy with the message at the bottom.

Check to see what Group Policies you have enabled using the tutorial below to see if any stand out. You might also test by temporarily setting them back to "Not Configured", and see if it these settings are ungrayed out afterwards.

Group Policy Editor - Quickly View Enabled Policies in Windows - Windows 7 Help Forums

 

Yes, I already did before my first post. *All* group policies are set to "not configured".
The only things I can think of: my Windows 10 version was an OEM version (Home), before upgrading it to Pro. Maybe I do not have a 'normal' W10 version?
Furthermore, I installed "DoNotSpy10" on my computer ( pXc-coding ) which also "tweaks" some Windows 10 settings, although I think these tweaks must always be in the registry...

EDIT: I checked the group policy using "gpedit.msc" and checking under "Computer configuration" and "User configuration" (Administative Template\All settings). Maybe there is ther place to check as well?