There are times when Windows Updates recommend for installation a hardware driver that is not necessary the latest. Even if we manually search, download, and install the latest, Windows 7 will, on its own, replace yours with the one recommended. To disable W7 driver software update selection and installation, you have to change the Device Installation Settings and Windows Updates. To do so, proceed as follows:
Device Installation Settings:
1. From the Start Menu, select Devices and Printers.
2. Select the single device, right click, and in the menu click Device installation settings.
3. Under “Do you want Windows to download driver software and realistic icons for your devices?” select “No, let me choose what to do”.
4. By selecting No, the choice will be expanded. Select also “Never install driver software from Windows Update”. Under this choice Windows will not do any searching for recommended driver updates for that specific device. Save changes.
5. By selecting “No, let me choose what to do” and “Always install the best driver software from Windows Update”, Windows will offer the driver for you to keep under Recommended Updates, for possible later installation. Save changes.
6. The choice to “Replace generic device icons with enhanced icons” is offered only in the manual selection.
Windows Update Settings:
1. All driver software updates are classified as Recommended.
2. Check “Give me recommended updates the same way I receive important updates”. The installation of this updates depend on the options selected under “No, let me choose what to do” in the Device Installation Settings.
