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Windows 7: Device Installation Settings


Device Installation Settings

How to Change the Device Driver and Information Installation Settings in Windows 7
Published 24 Jan 2009
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How to Change the Device Driver and Information Installation Settings in Windows 7




information   Information
This will show you how to allow or change how Windows 7 is to automatically or not download recommended drivers and detailed information and icons for your devices through Windows Update.
Note   Note
Windows 7 can find and download two kinds of updates for devices connected to your computer:
  • Drivers
    A driver is software that allows your computer to communicate with hardware devices. Without drivers, the devices you connect to your computer—for example, a mouse or external hard drive—won't work properly. Windows can automatically check if there are drivers available for new devices you connect to your computer.
    For hardware that you've connected to your computer in the past, updated drivers might become available at a later date; but those drivers aren't installed automatically. To install these optional updates, go to Windows Update in Control Panel, check for updates, and then view and install driver updates that are available for your computer.
  • Information
  • Windows can download high-resolution icons for many hardware devices that you connect to your computer, along with detailed information about them, such as product name, manufacturer, and model number—even detailed information about the sync capabilities of a device. This is much more detailed device information than was previously available in earlier versions of Windows. These details can make it easier for you to distinguish between similar devices that are connected to your computer, such as if you have several different portable music players and mobile phones. Additionally, they make it easier to check the capabilities of a device.
    • Updated icons are displayed in the Devices and Printers folder, making it easier to see all your devices at a glance and find the one you're looking for.
    • Windows can automatically download this detailed information about your devices if you turn on Recommended updates.




Here's How:
1. Open the Devices and Printers folder.

2. Right click on the Computer icon with your computer name on it, then click on Device installation settings. Do step 3, 4, or 5 for how you would like to set the settings. (See screenshot below)
Device Installation Settings-devices_printers.jpg
3. To Allow Device Drivers and Information to be Installed Automatically
NOTE: This will allow both the device drivers and information to be installed automatically by Windows 7 through Windows Update.
A) Select (dot) Yes, do this automatically. (See screenshot below step 6)

B) You will need to select Install updates automatically, and check the Give me recommended updates the same way I receive important updates in the Windows Update settings. Click on OK. (See screenshot below)
Device Installation Settings-wu_settings-devices.jpg
C) Go to step 6.
4. To Not Allow Device Drivers and Information to be Installed
NOTE: This will not allow both the device drivers and information to be installed automatically by Windows 7 through Windows Update. You can still choose to install the driver updates manually by reviewing available updates when you check for updates in Windows Update.
A) Select (dot) No, let me choose what to do. (See screenshot below step 6)

B) Select (dot) Never install driver software from Windows Update. (See screenshot below step 6)

C) Uncheck the Replace generic device icons with enhanced icons box. (See screenshot below step 6)

D) Go to step 6.
5. To Choose What to Install Instead
A) Select (dot) No, let me choose what to do. (See screenshot below step 6)

B) Select (dot) either the Always install the best driver software from Windows Update or Install driver software from Windows Update if it is not found on my computer settings. (See screenshot below step 6)
NOTE: If you want the device information and new icons downloaded for Devices and Printers.

C) Check the Replace generic device icons with enhanced icons box if you want high def icons for devices in Devices and Printers, or uncheck if not.

D) You will need to turn on Windows Updates and check Give me recommended updates the same way I receive important updates in the Windows Update settings. Click on OK. (See screenshot below)
Click image for larger version

Name:	WU_Settings-Devices.jpg
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6. Click on the Save Changes button. (See screenshot below)
Device Installation Settings-settings.jpg
7. If prompted by UAC, click on Yes.

8. Close the Device and Printers window. (See screenshot below step 2)
That's it,
Shawn




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Loading
27 Jan 2009   #1
swbchen

Windows 7
 
 

thank you !!!!!!!!

My System SpecsSystem Spec

28 Jan 2009   #2
Brink

64-bit Windows 7 Ultimate SP1 & Windows 8 Enterprise
Texas
 
 

You're welcome Swbchen.

Shawn
My System SpecsSystem Spec
24 Aug 2009   #3
gt1009233

xp
 
 

Hi,
Does anyone know how to disable Windows 7 driver installation programmatically?

thanks
My System SpecsSystem Spec
.


24 Aug 2009   #4
Antman

 

Start
Run
CMD (Run As Admin)
bcdedit.exe -set loadoptions DDISABLE_INTEGRITY_CHECKS
bcdedit.exe -set TESTSIGNING ON
Boot



Turn driver signing ON

bcdedit.exe -set loadoptions ENABLE_INTEGRITY_CHECKS
bcdedit.exe -set TESTSIGNING OFF
My System SpecsSystem Spec
27 Aug 2009   #5
gt1009233

xp
 
 

Hi,
I've tried these commands
(bcdedit.exe -set loadoptions DDISABLE_INTEGRITY_CHECKS
bcdedit.exe -set TESTSIGNING ON
Boot )
but it didn't work.

My problem is with "Allow Device Drivers and Information to be Installed Automatically", it always took more than 5 minutes to try to get driver from windows update before I can install my driver manually when device is presented and it's too slow to accept, so I select "Never install driver software from Windows Update" to skip that and it worked.
Now I just need a way to do exactly the same thing but only by programmatically.

Does anyone know how to do that?


thanks
My System SpecsSystem Spec
13 Mar 2012   #6
Infinite

Windows 7 Ultimate x64
 
 

May I add an alternative option Brink?

Control Panel - System - Advanced system settings - Click the Hardware Tab and select Device Installation Settings. From there chose the option.

Device Installation Settings-example.png
My System SpecsSystem Spec
13 Mar 2012   #7
Brink

64-bit Windows 7 Ultimate SP1 & Windows 8 Enterprise
Texas
 
 

Sure thing Infinite. It's a bit of a longer way to open it, but another way none the less.
My System SpecsSystem Spec
13 Nov 2012   #8
riahc3

Windows 7 Ultimate 32bit
 
 

Doesnt work. It searches thru its preconfigured driver folders and installs the driver anyway.
My System SpecsSystem Spec
13 Nov 2012   #9
Brink

64-bit Windows 7 Ultimate SP1 & Windows 8 Enterprise
Texas
 
 

Hello Riahc,

I think you may have what this does confused. These settings are only for getting a custom icon (if available) for the device, and only getting driver updates through Windows Update.

This isn't related to the generic drivers for devices that come preinstalled in Windows and used (if available) when you don't install the drivers yourself or through Windows Updates. It also has nothing to do with Windows automatically installing drivers for a device when the drivers are already available or installed in Windows. For that, you would want to use the tutorial below instead.

"Found New Hardware" Balloons - Enable or Disable

Hope this helps,
Shawn
My System SpecsSystem Spec
Comment

 Device Installation Settings problems?



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