Policy
Prevent installation of devices using drivers that match these device setup classes
Windows 11 25H2
Policy overview
Key metadata and intent for this policy.
Supported OS tags: Windows10, Windows10RT, Windows11, Windows7, Windows8, Windows81, WindowsRT, WindowsRT81, WindowsServer2008, WindowsServer2012, WindowsServer2012R2, WindowsServer2016, WindowsVista
This policy setting allows you to specify a list of device setup class globally unique identifiers (GUIDs) for driver packages that Windows is prevented from installing. By default, this policy setting takes precedence over any other policy setting that allows Windows to install a device. NOTE: To enable the "Allow installation of devices that match any of these device IDs" and "Allow installation of devices that match any of these device instance IDs" policy settings to supersede this policy setting for applicable devices, enable the "Apply layered order of evaluation for Allow and Prevent device installation policies across all device match criteria" policy setting. If you enable this policy setting, Windows is prevented from installing or updating driver packages whose device setup class GUIDs appear in the list you create. If you enable this policy setting on a remote desktop server, the policy setting affects redirection of the specified devices from a remote desktop client to the remote desktop server. If you disable or do not configure this policy setting, Windows can install and update devices as allowed or prevented by other policy settings.
Registry values
How enabled and disabled states update the registry.
| Registry location | Type | Enabled value | Disabled value |
|---|---|---|---|
| HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\DeviceInstall\Restrictions\DenyDeviceClasses | REG_DWORD | 1 | 0 |
Policy elements
Inputs and configuration options exposed by this policy.
| Element | Type | Registry mapping | Constraints & behavior |
|---|---|---|---|
Also apply to matching devices that are already installed. ID DeviceInstall_Classes_Deny_Retroactive | boolean | HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\DeviceInstall\Restrictions\DenyDeviceClassesRetroactive Type REG_DWORD | Options: true (1), false (0) True: Set value = 1 · False: Set value = 0 |
Prevent installation of devices using drivers for these device setup classes: ID DeviceInstall_Classes_Deny_List | list | HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\DeviceInstall\Restrictions\DenyDeviceClasses\DenyDeviceClasses Type REG_MULTI_SZ | List: standard |
Other policies in this category
Explore related policies at the same level.
- ComputerAllow administrators to override Device Installation Restriction policiesAt least Windows Vista
- ComputerAllow installation of devices that match any of these device IDsAt least Windows Vista
- ComputerAllow installation of devices that match any of these device instance IDsAt least Windows Server 2016, Windows 10 Version 1909
- ComputerAllow installation of devices using drivers that match these device setup classesAt least Windows Vista
- ComputerApply layered order of evaluation for Allow and Prevent device installation policies across all device match criteriaAt least Windows Server 2016, Windows 10 Version 2106
- ComputerDisplay a custom message title when device installation is prevented by a policy settingAt least Windows Vista
- ComputerDisplay a custom message when installation is prevented by a policy settingAt least Windows Vista
- ComputerPrevent installation of devices not described by other policy settingsAt least Windows Vista
- ComputerPrevent installation of devices that match any of these device IDsAt least Windows Vista
- ComputerPrevent installation of devices that match any of these device instance IDsAt least Windows Server 2016, Windows 10 Version 1909
- ComputerPrevent installation of removable devicesAt least Windows Vista
- ComputerTime (in seconds) to force reboot when required for policy changes to take effectAt least Windows Server 2008 R2 or Windows 7