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Specify search order for device driver source locations: registry value SearchOrderConfigComputerHKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\DriverSearching

Policy ID
DriverSearchPlaces_SearchOrderConfiguration
Scope
Computer Configuration
Supported on
At least Windows Server 2008 R2 or Windows 7
Source
Administrative Templates (.admx) for Windows 11 2026 Update (26H2) (version 1.0)
Category
System › Device Installation

Registry

SearchOrderConfig

REG_DWORDComputer
HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\DriverSearching Current key
Enabled value
Depends on the option value
Element
Select search order:
Options
ItemStored value
Always search Windows Update1
Search Windows Update only if needed2
Do not search Windows Update0
Apply with .reg · CMD · PowerShell
.reg
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\DriverSearching]

; Options (use only one)
; Always search Windows Update
"SearchOrderConfig"=dword:00000001
; Search Windows Update only if needed
"SearchOrderConfig"=dword:00000002
; Do not search Windows Update
"SearchOrderConfig"=dword:00000000
CMD
:: Options (use only one)

:: Always search Windows Update
reg add "HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\DriverSearching" /v "SearchOrderConfig" /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f
:: Search Windows Update only if needed
reg add "HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\DriverSearching" /v "SearchOrderConfig" /t REG_DWORD /d 2 /f
:: Do not search Windows Update
reg add "HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\DriverSearching" /v "SearchOrderConfig" /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f
PowerShell
# Common: create the key
New-Item -Path 'HKLM:\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\DriverSearching' -Force | Out-Null

# Options (use only one)
# Always search Windows Update
New-ItemProperty -Path 'HKLM:\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\DriverSearching' -Name 'SearchOrderConfig' -PropertyType DWord -Value 1 -Force | Out-Null
# Search Windows Update only if needed
New-ItemProperty -Path 'HKLM:\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\DriverSearching' -Name 'SearchOrderConfig' -PropertyType DWord -Value 2 -Force | Out-Null
# Do not search Windows Update
New-ItemProperty -Path 'HKLM:\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\DriverSearching' -Name 'SearchOrderConfig' -PropertyType DWord -Value 0 -Force | Out-Null