Disable Windows Automatic Driver Install in Windows 7 Home Premium

Discussion in 'Software' started by Canzealander, Feb 1, 2012.

  1. Canzealander

    Canzealander Private E-2

    I am trying to prevent my computer from automatically installing drivers. I have Windows 7 Home Premium, so I don't have gpedit.msc. The option of Start --> Computers --> Properties --> System --> Advaned System Settings --> Hardware --> Windows Update Driver Settings --> "Never check for drivers when I connect a device" doesn't work either, as Windows 7 will cheerfully ignore that setting. I am somewhat unhappy with this. I also farted around in the registry editor, but I could not find the paths that the tweaking guide I was reading was telling me about. Has anybody had this particular problem?
     
  2. mcsmc

    mcsmc MajorGeek

    Why are you trying to prevent drivers from being installed automatically?

    My best guess is that there is a driver finding Service that can be stopped/set to manual.
     
  3. Laniius

    Laniius Private E-2

    Does it really matter what I want it for? I don't want the auto-download, and the option that SHOULD prevent it doesn't.
     
  4. satrow

    satrow Major Geek Extraordinaire

    Auto-download and auto-install are different things. W7 already has a database of the most common drivers installed by default and will install the best driver it sees fit, from the hard drive.
     
  5. Laniius

    Laniius Private E-2

    If you must know it's usbvideo.sys that I'm interested in. I want to disable my webcam. It's an integrated cam on a laptop. I delete the file, it prompts for restart, I restart, then it pops up that it is downloading usbvideo.sys. Even though I chose the option to not dowload any drivers.
     
  6. plodr

    plodr Major Geek Super Extraordinaire

    Disable your webcam by going into the BIOS. I've done that on my netbooks.
     

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