Windows 7: Win7 keeps reinstalling USB drivers

Windows 7 Home Premium X64 keeps re-installing the same existing USB drivers every time I plug in an USB device. This means every time I plug in my Wireless mouse, my printer, scanner, external hard drive... and so on I have to wait minutes before I can start using the device. Also, it does not just re-install the drivers from the hard disk, it does a lengthy check via windows update before it installs anything.

Does anybody know how to fix this? Thanks.

hi there
have you tried this> shut down computer unplug the mains cable press the power button on the pc for 5-10 sec re-plug the mains lead in boot up pc.(this should reset the motherboard)

This has nothing to do with the current power cycle. It always happens, since a year or so. System runs SP1 and the latest updates, so this can't be the problem.

sometimes you need to reset the motherboard

have a look here in Microsoft Fix it Solution Center Microsoft Fix it Solution Center: troubleshooting software issues there are different fixes may help you if resetting the motherboard does not help Hardware devices are not working or are not detected in Windows >>> Hardware devices are not working or are not detected in Windows

Hello crispie, Welcome to the forum

Try this
General USB problems

Remove all USB devices
Click on start orb, Type Advanced System settings in the search box and click to go there.
Click on Advanced tab, Click on Enviroment Variables.
Under the window System variables click on New.
Type " devmgr_show_nonpresent_devices" (without the ") as the variable name and type 1 as the value.
Click ok 3 times to close the windows
Click on start orb, Type Device Manager in the search box and click to go there.
Click on View, Click on Show hidden devices.
Now you can uninstall all old and unknown USB devices.
Open windows Explorer go to computer in the menu bar, Search for infcache.1 and delete it
If it still does not work remove all USB devices and then uninstall the USB controller(s) followed by a new start

Apologies for bumping an old thread but i've just been having the same problems as the OP.

On my system, the problem was being caused by a setting in a program called Tracks Eraser Pro. It has a particular setting that clears the contents of the following registry key which logs the connected USB devices:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Enum\USBSTOR

Once that setting was unchecked, USB driver installations remained after reboots!!

I hope this info helps others

No, no, no and no.

This is an ongoing problem with windows that has been happening since XP and has never been fixed, nor has it been adequately explained by Microsoft.

It is normally addressed by several steps that have nothing to do with the issue. Like everything listed here.