Prevent automatic download of applications associated with device metadata

Supported OS tags: Windows10, Windows10RT, Windows11, Windows7, Windows8, Windows81, WindowsRT, WindowsRT81, WindowsServer2008, WindowsServer2012, WindowsServer2012R2, WindowsServer2016

This policy setting allows you to prevent Windows from downloading applications associated with device metadata. If you enable this policy setting, Windows does not download applications associated with device metadata for installed devices. This policy setting overrides the setting in the Device Installation Settings dialog box (Control Panel > System and Security > System > Advanced System Settings > Hardware tab). If you disable or do not configure this policy setting, the setting in the Device Installation Settings dialog box controls whether Windows downloads applications associated with device metadata.

This policy has no additional user input fields.

• Computer
  Allow remote access to the Plug and Play interface

  Windows Server 2008, Windows 7, and Windows Vista
• Computer
  Configure device installation time-out

  At least Windows Server 2008 R2 or Windows 7
• Computer
  Do not send a Windows error report when a generic driver is installed on a device

  Windows Server 2016 Version 1709, Windows 10 Version 1709, Windows Server 2016 Version 1703, Windows 10 Version 1703, Windows 10, Windows 8.1, Windows 8, Windows 7, and Windows Vista only
• Computer
  Prevent creation of a system restore point during device activity that would normally prompt creation of a restore point

  At least Windows Vista
• Computer
  Prevent Windows from sending an error report when a device driver requests additional software during installation

  Windows Server 2016 Version 1709, Windows 10 Version 1709, Windows Server 2016 Version 1703, Windows 10 Version 1703, Windows 10, Windows 8.1, Windows 8, and Windows 7 only
• Computer
  Prioritize all digitally signed drivers equally during the driver ranking and selection process

  At least Windows Vista
• Computer
  Specify search order for device driver source locations

  At least Windows Server 2008 R2 or Windows 7