Policy
Configure driver search locations
Microsoft Windows
Policy overview
Key metadata and intent for this policy.
Supported OS tags: WindowsServer2003, WindowsServer2008, WindowsVista, WindowsXP
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.
Registry values
How enabled and disabled states update the registry.
No explicit registry values are set for enabled or disabled states.
Policy elements
Inputs and configuration options exposed by this policy.
| Scope | Element | Type | Registry mapping | Constraints & behavior | Copy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| User | Do not search floppy disk drives ID DriverSearchPlaces_Floppies | boolean | Path Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\DriverSearching Value name DontSearchFloppies Type REG_DWORD | Options: true (), false () True: None · False: None | |
| User | Do not search CD-ROM drives ID DriverSearchPlaces_CD | boolean | Path Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\DriverSearching Value name DontSearchCD Type REG_DWORD | Options: true (), false () True: None · False: None | |
| User | Do not search Windows Update ID DriverSearchPlaces_WindowsUpdate | boolean | Path Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\DriverSearching Value name DontSearchWindowsUpdate Type REG_DWORD | Options: true (), false () True: None · False: None |