Windows 7: Device Installation Settings

   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

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.

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)

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)

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)

6. Click on the Save Changes button. (See screenshot below)

7. If prompted by UAC, click on Yes.

8. Close the Device and Printers window. (See screenshot below step 2)