Configure driver search locations

Policy ID
DriverSearchPlaces
Scope
User Configuration
Supported on
Windows Server 2008, Windows Server 2003, Windows Vista, and Windows XP
Source
Administrative Templates (.admx) for Windows 11 2026 Update (26H2) (version 1.0)
Category
System › Driver Installation

Description

This setting configures the location that Windows searches for drivers when a new piece of hardware is found.

By default, Windows searches the following places for drivers: local installation, floppy drives, CD-ROM drives, Windows Update.

Using this setting, you may remove the floppy and CD-ROM drives from the search algorithm.

If you enable this setting, you can remove the locations by selecting the associated check box beside the location name.

If you disable or do not configure this setting, Windows searches the installation location, floppy drives, and CD-ROM drives.

Note: To prevent searching Windows Update for drivers also see "Turn off Windows Update device driver searching" in Administrative Templates/System/Internet Communication Management/Internet Communication settings.

Options

The empty box and the checked box tell the checkbox items of the Group Policy editor apart (a checked box is an item that is selected by default).

  • Do not search floppy disk drives
  • Do not search CD-ROM drives
  • Do not search Windows Update

Registry

UserHKEY_CURRENT_USER
  • DontSearchFloppiesREG_DWORD
  • DontSearchCDREG_DWORD
  • DontSearchWindowsUpdateREG_DWORD

Other policies in the same category

View all policies in this category (3)