How to Block a Specific Windows 11 Driver Update Permanently

Quick fix: Download Microsoft’s Show or hide updates troubleshooter (KB3073930 — search Microsoft Support). Run it. Choose Hide updates, tick the specific driver you want to block. The driver no longer appears in Windows Update and won’t reinstall.

A specific driver keeps reinstalling every time Windows Update runs — even after you roll it back or install an older version manually. The Show or hide updates troubleshooter is Microsoft’s supported way to permanently block one update (driver or otherwise) from Windows Update.

What causes this

Windows Update offers drivers it considers newer or more compatible than what’s installed. When you roll back, Windows Update sees the older driver and re-offers the “updated” one. To stop this cycle, you mark the specific driver as “hidden” — Windows Update skips it on future scans. The Show or hide updates troubleshooter (wushowhide.diagcab) is Microsoft’s tool for this.

Method 1: Use Show or hide updates troubleshooter

The standard approach.

1. Download wushowhide.diagcab. The official download is via Microsoft Support (search for KB3073930) or the direct Microsoft download URL.
2. Save the .diagcab file to a known location.
3. Right-click the file → Open. (It’s a Microsoft-signed tool that runs in the Windows Troubleshooting framework.)
4. Click Next. The tool queries Windows Update for available updates.
5. Click Hide updates.
6. The list shows pending updates (including drivers). Tick the specific update you want to block.
7. Click Next. The selected updates are marked as hidden.
8. Click Close.
9. The driver no longer appears in Windows Update. It won’t install on future scans.

This blocks just the specific update, leaving other Windows Update functionality intact.

Method 2: Use Group Policy to block all driver updates (Pro/Enterprise)

For broader control on managed environments.

1. Press Win + R, type gpedit.msc, press Enter.
2. Navigate to Computer Configuration → Administrative Templates → Windows Components → Windows Update → Manage updates offered from Windows Update.
3. Open Do not include drivers with Windows Updates. Set to Enabled.
4. Click Apply → OK.
5. Run gpupdate /force from elevated Terminal.
6. Windows Update now skips all drivers — security updates and feature updates still apply.
7. Manual driver installs from the vendor still work.

This is broader than Method 1. Use when you want to control all driver updates rather than block one specific.

Method 3: Block via registry for unmanaged Home edition

Equivalent of Method 2 for Home edition.

1. Press Win + R, type regedit, press Enter.
2. Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate. Create the keys if missing.
3. Create DWORD ExcludeWUDriversInQualityUpdate with value 1.
4. Also navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\DriverSearching.
5. Create DWORD SearchOrderConfig with value 0. This disables driver search via Windows Update.
6. Reboot.
7. Windows Update no longer downloads drivers. Manual installs from vendors still work.

For Home edition users, this matches Group Policy’s effect.

How to verify the fix worked

• Open Settings → Windows Update → Check for updates. The blocked driver does not appear.
• Run Get-WindowsUpdate (from PSWindowsUpdate module) or just check Settings. The driver is absent from pending updates.
• Wait a week. The driver remains blocked.
• If you want to unblock later, run the Show or hide updates troubleshooter again, choose Show hidden updates, tick the driver, click Next.

If none of these work

If the driver still reinstalls despite hiding, three causes apply. Driver pushed via OEM utility: Dell SupportAssist, Lenovo Vantage, HP Support Assistant push their own drivers separately from Windows Update. Disable those tools’ auto-update features or uninstall them. Manufacturer’s installer auto-runs: NVIDIA GeForce Experience and AMD Software auto-update GPU drivers. Disable auto-update in those apps’ settings. Group Policy push: corporate-managed PCs may push specific drivers via Intune or SCCM. Contact IT for an exception. For chronic re-install despite all measures, the workaround is to keep a folder with your preferred driver installer and reinstall manually whenever Windows Update overwrites.

Bottom line: Show or hide updates troubleshooter is Microsoft’s supported tool for blocking specific driver updates — download, run, hide the driver, done. Combined with disabling auto driver install gives durable control.